Roster Update: Michael Martinez was sold to the Red Sox today for cash. He was designated for assignment on July 2nd. Tom Gorzelanny, who was DFA’d the following day, has cleared waivers and reported to AAA Columbus.
Player of the Game
Five Indians had a Player of the Game score above 4.00 today (the average per player per game is 0.92), but the most outstanding of all was Corey Kluber. Kluber didn’t have it all last time out as he had his second shortest appearance of the season at just 3.1 innings, but he was able to correct the issues tonight against another AL East foe, however, throwing eight innings and allow just one run on a solo home run. The Indians ace struck out eight and allowed just five hits and no walks. Also having particularly impressive outings were Jason Kipnis, Mike Napoli, Francisco Lindor and Lonnie Chisenhall in that order.
Feathers Up
Searching for the best way to start a game against the Yankees, Carlos Santana and Kipnis tried something different by hitting back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the first. Both came off starter Chad Green with Santana’s just clearing the wall in right and Kipnis’ going significantly further out to right center. This came after Green dominated the Padres in his second Major League start going six innings and allowing just one run on three hits while striking out eight. Francisco Lindor continued the inning with a walk, then scored on a Lonnie Chisenhall two out home run that went further out to right than either of the first two.
The Indians weren’t done scoring yet as two innings later Napoli hit a home run the likes of which Indians fans haven’t seen since Mark McGwire stopped doing steroids. Officially, the ball traveled 462 feet as it bounced just below the scoreboard in the left field bleachers, then hit the bottom of the scoreboard on the way back up. Lindor had walked again prior to the truly long ball, making it a two pointer and the Indians lead 6-0.
Milestone Alert: Santana’s home run was his 20th of the season, making him the first Indians hitter to hit 20 or more home runs in the first half since Grady Sizemore in 2008. Santana’s career high in home runs is 27 (2011 and 2014) and he will almost certainly surpass that soon as he is projected for more than 35 at his current pace.
Joseph Colon made his MLB debut tonight and, if you have to make your debut against the Yankees, there’s no better way than with a nine run lead. Colon struck out his first batter faced, Jacoby Ellsbury and gave up doubles to Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann for one run allowed.
Feathers Down
While an RBI on a fielder’s choice masked it somewhat, Yan Gomes continues to struggle and is hitless in his last five games and 13 at bats. He’s batting just .172 on the season and after striking out three times tonight has 14 K’s in his last 32 plate appearances without a walk.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 10 – New York Yankees 1
On Deck: Game three between New York and Cleveland will feature two of the Tribe’s biggest pitching stars since the 1960’s as C.C. Sabathia takes on Danny Salazar at 4:10 PM in Cleveland.
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