Roster Update: Joba Chamberlain was unexpectedly placed on the 15 day DL today with a strained left intercostal muscle. He was replaced on the 25 man roster by left handed pitcher Ryan Merritt, who has been a starter for his entire minor league career, but looks to be used out of the bullpen for now.
Player of the Game
Mike Napoli not only knocked in the Indians first run of the game with a home run, but he scored one more later on with a ground out. With the two runs knocked in, he matched Marlon Byrd and Jose Ramirez and with a walk to go with them, he had not only the best game of anyone today, but his best game since May 5th.
Feathers Up
The Indians aren’t a powerful team, but they played the ballpark well today, hitting three out including Mike Napoli’s second inning solo shot that broke an 0/19 streak. Each home run came with the Indians behind and each brought the Indians back to within one as Marlon Byrd added a two run shot in the fifth and Jose Ramirez another two run shot in the 8th.
Feathers Down
Mike Clevinger pitched pretty well in his debut against Cincinnati, but he was exposed by the more advanced White Sox offense today. In particular, he had trouble commanding his breaking pitches, leading to two perfectly mashable fastballs that didn’t remain in the stadium very long. The first came off the bat of Todd Frazier in the first and the second was a three run shot from Brett Lawrie in the fifth. In addition, Clevinger’s lack of attention to baserunners was noted and the Sox stole two easily including one by Frazier where he was able to take off before his delivery even started and Clevinger never noticed.
For as poorly as Clevinger pitched, the Indians still had a chance with a comeback brewing later on, but that was further set back by two errors from Rajai Davis and Jason Kipnis, particularly the first play from the Indians center fielder that would otherwise have been a fairly simple fly to center. After the two errors, Dan Otero walked the next batter and an incredible throw from right field saved the Tribe a run as Michael Martinez turned a double play.After another walk, Terry Francona went to Austin Adams, recalled just yesterday, and the young right hander walked in the unearned run that would ultimately provide the difference in the game.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 6 – Chicago White Sox 7
On Deck: Stick around stick-arounders, we’ll be right back with another one after a few messages from our sponsors. Right hander Eric Johnson will start for the home field White Sox against the shaky Cody Anderson for Cleveland.
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