Roster Update: Tonight’s player addition is brought to you by babies. Josh Tomlin is done having his and has officially rejoined the club in the bullpen.
Player of the Game
After a long stretch of greatness, Indians starters have struggled to get through the fifth in four of the past five starts. Danny Salazar had no such problems today, pitching a complete game shut out for the first time in his career. He allowed just eight hits, all, but one of which were singles and walked none while striking out nine. He has now allowed just three runs in 25 innings since rejoining the starting rotation on August 17 and just one in his past three starts. Not only was this his first shut out, but his first time through a full eight innings in a Major League game. While Salazar did throw 11* pitches, he was never in trouble all night as he scattered the singles. His final POG score of 10.19 was the best by an Indian since Corey Kluber’s three hit shut out against the Mariners on July 30th.
Feathers Up
Carlos Santana has been productive in his own way all season, hitting more home runs and walking more than any other Indian, but he left much to be desired when he batted .207/.349/.388 during the first half. Since then, he has hit .273/.400/.513. While most of this increase has actually been because of an increase in base hits, he did crush another home run in the first (for the second day in a row), giving the Indians another early two run lead.
The Indians were finally able to take advantage of another team’s defensive miscues in the fifth, when the scored two more off Justin Verlander. Jason Kipnis walked with out out to start the rally, then he scored from first on a Lonnie Chisenhall double to left. On the play, Ian Kinsler made a poor relay to home that got by the catcher, Bryan Holaday. Backing up the play, Justin Verlander fell down while attempting to corral the ball and Chisenhall was safe at third. On the next play, Yan Gomes popped a ball just beyond first and neither Victor Martinez or Kinsler were able the make the play, scoring Chisenhall from third.
The Indians finished off Verlander and the Tigers with a huge two out rally in the seventh inning. Yan Gomes started the inning with a double, but quick outs by Jason Giambi and Zach Walters lead to a situation with a runner on third and two outs. Michael Bourn hit a single up the middle to bring him in, then Jose Ramirez hit a double deep into the gap in right center. Michael Brantley then pushed his hitting streak to seven games with an RBI single that brought the Indians lead to 7-0 and ended the rally.
Feathers Down
Not much bad can happen when beating a division rival 7-0, but by losing the first two games of the series, the Indians are still going to have to win tomorrow to simply break even in the series.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 7 – Detroit Tigers 0
On Deck: The Indians are in a near must win situation as they close the four game series with Detroit on Thursday at 7:05 PM in Cleveland. Trevor Bauer will face the Tigers’ ace, Max Scherzer.
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