Roster Update: After his less than exceptional appearance last night, Austin Adams was sent back to AAA Columbus. In return, the Indians brought back a reliever who could very possibly be a regular member of the team for the rest of the season in Shawn Armstrong.
Player of the Game
While the game was already out of hand, Tyler Naquin got a hold of one in the fifth for his 13th home run of the season and two more RBI. Naquin also walked to go 1 for 2 overall.
Feathers Up
Much like the last two games, the Indians did mount a bit of a comeback before getting completely blown out. In the second, two straight singles put runners at the corners and Jose Ramirez was able to score on a wild pitch. Because he was also able to move up a base on the play, Lonnie Chisenhall was able to score on the next hit, a two out Abraham Almonte single. Almonte was thrown out between first and second to end the inning.
Congratulations!: Tyler Naquin was named the American League Rookie of the Month for the second consecutive month after batting .348/.416/.681 during July with six home runs and 15 RBI. Combined across his two award winning months he hit .343/.425/.731 in 134 at bats with 10 doubles, 12 home runs, 30 RBI, 26 runs scored and three steals.
While his negative contributions weighed on this game as much as his positive, Mike Napoli did hit a solo home run to left in the sixth to give him five consecutive games with a home run.
Shawn Armstrong pitched two innings tonight without allowing a base runner to reach. In doing so, he was the first pitcher to record six consecutive outs this series. He also struck out two and stranded a runner that was on base when he entered the game.
Feathers Down
This game started in the absolute worst manner possible after two early blow out losses to the Twins in a row. Trevor Bauer had major command issues from the start and, after a hard hit line drive out, gave up a double and two walks to set up Minnesota with the bases loaded. Eddie Rosario took advantage of the Indians playing at double play depth with a weak ground ball up the middle that scored two and Bauer walked one more before finally ending the inning. It took him 34 pitches to get through the first after the Indians needed 12.1 innings out of their bullpen over the last two games.
Things didn’t get any better as Bauer gave up an unearned run in the second after a two base, missed catch error by Mike Napoli, then really lost it in the third. The Twins started the inning with two quick hits for another run, then Bauer got wild. He walked one and Francisco Lindor saved him a run by going home on a slow rolling ground ball. After the second out of the inning, Bauer walked another to load the bases, gave up a two run double to Joe Mauer and a two run single to Max Kepler. It had appeared that Lonnie Chisenhall made a diving catch on Kepler’s hit, but the initial call and a replay review went the other way and the runs counted. Terry Francona and Mickey Callaway were each ejected for arguing the call that was made by the replay crew in New York, not the umpires on the field. The call didn’t cost just two runs, an out, the Indians manager and pitching coach, but Bauer as well as instead of being out of the inning, he was removed from the game for Armstrong.
Despite Armstrong’s valiant effort and some great defense by the Tribe, turning a couple of unconventional double plays, the Indians other relievers didn’t do anything to make this game any easier to win. Zach McAllister gave up one run in 1.1 innings, Cody Anderson gave up another on consecutive triples in the eighth and the big blast came against the usually strong Dan Otero. Otero came into the ninth with one out and one on and allowed a single before getting the second out. On the first pitch he saw, Brian Dozier then left the ballpark to push the Twins to an even more insurmountable lead of 13-5.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 13 – Minnesota Twins 5
On Deck: This terrible series will finally end Thursday at 12:10 PM the newest Twin starter, Hector Santiago, scheduled to pitch against the return of Mike Clevinger. After the day game, the Indians will head out for a short, 5 game road trip to New York and Washington DC.
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