Roster Update: Rather than try to go with a four man rotation or reduced bullpen for the next five games, Carlos Carrasco has officially been placed on the 15 Day DL with right shoulder soreness. It doesn’t appear to be too series, as nothing came up in the MRI and the Indians will try to see if the injury will pass with rest.
In his stead, Cody Anderson was returned from the DL, where he has been since August 8th with a left oblique strain. Anderson was originally supposed to make his first rehab start in Lake County on Monday, but was held back when news of Carrasco’s injury came out.
Player of the Game
The Tribe lead-off hitter, Jason Kipnis, was largely responsible for knocking in the Indians runs today as his bases loaded double scored three (although he was only credited with two RBI) and his solo home run in the eighth off reliever Will Smith added one more for insurance. Other hitters of note were Francisco Lindor, who reached base four times, stole three bases and scored a run and Lonnie Chisenhall, who knocked in and scored a run with a double and a single.
Feathers Up
The rain couldn’t slow down to Tribe as Terry Francona gave them the green light against Milwaukee starter Jimmy Nelson. Nelson made it easy for Cleveland, handing them eight free passes which the Tribe used to steal four bases in the first four innings. Three of these belonged to Francisco Lindor, who walked twice and singled. The other steal was by Abraham Almonte, who also singled and walked in his first two at bats. Almonte added another steal in the 5th as well.
The Tribe turned that wildness into early runs against Nelson in three situations. The first was in the second when Almonte, Jerry Sands and Jose Ramirez all reached base with two outs. Jason Kipnis his a double down the left field line that was misplayed by Khris Davis into three runs instead of two. In the third, Lonnie Chisenhall doubled, went to third on a Yan Gomes ground out and scored on a wild pitch. After the wild pitch, Almonte and Sands each walked for good measure. The final run scored off Nelson was after Lindor walked and stole second in the fourth. After another walk, Chisenhall came through with a two out single to right to score Lindor from second.
Cody Anderson looked solid tonight considering his lack of minor league rehab starts after missing nearly a month. While a conservative pitch limit kept him to just 4.1 innings, he allowed just two runs the second of which came in against reliever Kyle Crockett. He allowed just two hits and struck out four, looking much more like he did in his first four starts than his last four.
Milwaukee is one of the worst teams the National League can offer and the Indians took advantage, sweeping the two game series and outscoring the Brewers 17-8. In every facet, from defense, to starting pitching, relief pitching and hitting, the Indians were the better team. The win was their sixth in their last ten games and moves them to 60-66 on the season.
Feathers Down
The Indians were lucky to get the game in at all thanks to fairly severe rain. Luckily, there were no delays and the rain abated before too long. The severe weather didn’t seem to affect the Indians on the base paths as they were aggressive as ever and it may have even helped them a bit when the Brewers were on defense.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 6 – Milwaukee Brewers 2
On Deck: The Indians will take Thursday off, but stay home for a three game weekend set with the Angels starting Friday night at 7:10 PM. In the opener, Danny Salazar will throw against Andrew Heaney of Los Angeles.
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