Roster Update: Prior to tonight’s game, Michael Brantley was activated off the disabled list after his rehab assignment in Columbus. In order to make room for Brantley, the Indians placed Carlos Carrasco on the 15 Day DL with a hamstring strain. He sustained the injury on Sunday and is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Player of the Game
As the game swung back and forth, there were huge jumps in WPA all through the team, but in the end, it was Yan Gomes and his game tying solo home run in the eighth that won him the Player of the Game.
Feathers Up
Milestone Alert: Carlos Santana has played every game this season and he reached this milestone as soon as the first pitch was thrown tonight. By playing in his 821st game, Santana is now among the 50 most used position players in Indians history, now tied with Victor Martinez, the Indians last #41 catcher turned first baseman/DH.
Although Santana was pulled from the lead-off spot tonight, he continued his speedy ways. After singling in his first at bat, he went to second on a wild pitch, then scored on a Marlon Byrd single. In his second, he singled again and after a Yan Gomes walk, went to third on a ball that just dribbled away from the catcher. While these aren’t quite steals, Santana continues to prove to be an intelligent and not quite plodding base runner. Byrd, who was thrown out at second on the RBI single, would be considered a plodding base runner.
The Indians scored a second run in the fifth thanks to Rajai Davis‘ actual speed. After a single, he stole second (six steals in nine attempts) and took a big risk running home on a Jason Kipnis single up the middle. Danny Santana threw home to the right side of the plate and Davis was safe sliding into the left side. The ball got away from Kurt Suzuki and Kipnis got to second, but ultimately it was good that Davis was aggressive as, after Francisco Lindor‘s first ever intentional walk, Mike Napoli struck out for the second time on the night.
Feathers Down
Danny Salazar was cruising through the first four innings tonight until it seemed that everything in the universe conspired together to ruin his night. After the first two batters were out, Francisco Lindor misplayed a ball into a single after making two incredible plays earlier including one that inning. The runner on first, Danny Santana, then appeared to have been picked off by Salazar, but was called safe on the field and confirmed over replay. While Eduardo Nunez was up, Salazar balked for the first time this year, moving up Santana and it looked like the inning could be over on fly balls in foul territory, but Marlon Byrd didn’t quite have the range to corral the first and Mike Napoli came just a couple feet away from a second. After all these chances, Salazar walked Nunez, then threw a wild pitch to move both runners up. After a two out double from Brian Dozier, the Indians two run lead was gone and after intentionally walking Joe Mauer, Salazar was pulled from the game. Since one more run came in off Jeff Manship, he was charged with three earned runs even though it seemed none of that should have ever happened.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 3 – Minnesota Twins 4
On Deck: Cody Anderson will pitch for the Indians tomorrow, looking to improve upon his first three starts. He will face the veteran right hander, Ricky Nolasco of the Twins at 8:10 PM in Minnesota.
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