Roster Update: On deadline day, the Indians made one more move, acquiring Brandon Guyer from Tampa Bay for Advanced A outfielder Nathan Lukes and Rookie level pitcher Jhonleider Salinas. To make room for Guyer on the 40 man roster, Juan Uribe was designated for assignment. This move also made room on the 25 man roster for Andrew Miller, who was acquired yesterday from New York. Another move will need to be made to add Guyer to the active roster tomorrow.
Player of the Game
In full stat padding mode, Mike Napoli planted a high fastball in the bushes in center field hoping a home run tree would grow to provide shade for the center fielders of the future. Napoli was also hit by a pitch and safe on an error, scoring twice and knocking in two. He also made a nice play defensively to keep the game from getting even further out of hand. This was Napoli’s third consecutive game with a home run and he now has 25 on the season.
Feathers Up
Jose Ramirez was one of few who had a decent day at the plate, hitting safely twice with an RBI and a run. Three of the Indians runs came in the first inning and the first was scored on Ramirez’s two out single that brought home Francisco Lindor. Chisenhall’s hit then brought home both Mike Napoli and Ramirez for the Tribe’s only runs of the game.
Feathers Down
Danny Salazar hasn’t had a really great start since June 29th and tonight’s was another clunker and could have been even worse than it was. In the first, he allowed the first two batters to reach before giving up a home run to Max Kepler, but it was only a two run shot thanks to a manager’s review that turned a steal into an out. He gave up another double that inning that didn’t turn into a run, then allowed home runs in the second and third innings to give the Twins five runs before an out was recorded in the third. The last home run was also a two run shot by Kepler as Joe Mauer singled to start the inning.
Salazar didn’t retire a batter in the third as he was pulled after a walk to Kennys Vargas and replaced with Austin Adams. Unfortunately, Adams wasn’t much more successful against the Twins offense, allowing a single, walk and triple to score not only Salazar’s baserunner, but two of his own. This staked the Twins to a 8-3 lead by the end of the third.
As bad as the the Indians pitchers were on their own tonight, Kyle Crockett was hurt by some poor defense during his time on the bump. In his first inning, Joe Mauer hit a double to left, but it probably would have been a single had Rajai Davis not kicked the ball, then dropped it once before finally throwing it back in. In his second, he allowed a line drive down the right field line and, instead of trying to cut the ball off, Lonnie Chisenhall dove and allowed Jorge Polanco to reach third with a triple. The play would have likely been a double no matter what, but the decision to dive was a poor one. Neither runner ultimately scored of Crockett who pitched 1.2 innings and struck out one. Chisenhall ultimately made up for his mistake with a great catch to end the fifth.
It wasn’t just Salazar as Cody Anderson also surrendered a home run to the rookie Max Kepler, who hit his third two run home run of the sixth. He now has 14 home runs on the season and 44 RBI after his impressive night. After being retired in his fourth at bat, Kepler singled against Zach McAllister, but who didn’t, really?
Andrew Miller made his Indians debut tonight and it was less than exciting. With the game already out of hand, he allowed a solo home run to Joe Mauer, then got Kepler to ground out to first base. Considering what Kepler did in his first three at bats, maybe that was an impressive debut.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 5 – Minnesota Twins 12
On Deck: Kyle Gibson will start for the Twins in game two of four against the Tribe in Cleveland. Carlos Carrasco will take the mound in the top of the first at 7:10 PM.
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