Player of the Game
Taking absolutely nothing from Jose Ramirez, who had a tremendous game, this one belonged to Danny Salazar. While Ramirez was responsible for five of the Indians seven runs, Salazar only needed the one scored in the first as he threw 7.2 shut out innings, striking out nine and allowing just four hits. All four hits were singles and his only other base runner came on a walk. To help himself further, Salazar picked off Lorenzo Cain in the first, allowing him to face the minimum through the first four innings. His season ERA now sits at 1.91.
Feathers Up
The Indians got to Yordano Ventura early with two hits and an RBI ground out in the first, but they really made him pay in the second. It was a similar group that started things off as Francisco Lindor singled and Michael Brantley walked (just like both did in the first) to put two on with none out. This time, instead of grounding out, Mike Napoli hit an RBI single up the middle to bring home Lindor. Yan Gomes hit what looked like a single, but turned into a fielder’s choice when Napoli couldn’t get to second in time to beat the throw from right field. That ended up being rather inconsequential as Lonnie Chisenhall then walked and Jose Ramirez brought them all home with a two out, three run double to deep left center.
In the fifth, there was more from the red hot Ramirez to increase the Indians lead to seven. Mike Napoli hit a single off the wall in left and Lonnie Chisenhall walked to set the stage. After moving to second and third thanks to a Rajai Davis ground out, both came home on a double ripped right over the bag a third from Ramirez, scoring his fourth and fifth RBI of the night.
While it’s easy to look past defense on a night when the Indians scored seven and allowed one, it was superb again tonight against Kansas City. Standing at the fore front as always was Lindor, who made what was possibly the play of the year so far in the second inning, robbing Salvador Perez of a base hit.
Feathers Down
Roberto Perez had surgery on his thumb today and the Indians officially announced what many of us assumed, that he will be out for the next two to three months. This hurts the Indians, but it is no where near as devastating as last season when Gomes went down early in the year and the Indians have already made an adjustment for this possiblity by purchasing Chris Gimenez from Texas.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 7 – Kansas City Royals 1
On Deck: Cody Anderson is expected to rejoin the Indians tomorrow and make the start, although how long he remains in the rotation could depend on how well he pitches against the World Champs. Kansas City will send the veteran right hander, Ian Kennedy against the Tribe for the 4:10 PM start.
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