Player of the Game
Cody Anderson continued to pitch extremely well at the MLB level. The Tribe rookie turned in 6.2 innings only allowing one run and three hits. Houston’s lone run came on a solo home run from Hank Conger in the third inning. Since being promoted to the big leagues, the right hander has been outstanding. The California native is 2-1 with a 0.89 ERA through 29.1 innings pitched in his first four MLB starts. Anderson became the first MLB pitcher to pitch 6+ innings and allow two earned runs or less in each of his first four starts since 1914.
Feathers Up
The Tribe bats were essentially missing for the first five innings, but in the sixth inning, the Indians led off with three straight hits coming from Francisco Lindor, Michael Brantley, and Ryan Raburn. Lindor led off the inning with a home run to left field that just got out. Brantley then followed with a double down the right field line, and Raburn drove him in with a double of his own, this one down the left field line. This sequence ultimately ended Brett Oberholtzer‘s night. Houston brought in Josh Fields, only to allow an opposite field, RBI triple to Carlos Santana. Yes, you read that right.
The Indians bullpen was very good in relief of Anderson. Marc Rzepczynski, Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen combined for 2.1 very good innings pitched. Both Rzepczynski and Shaw were perfect in two thirds of an inning, and Allen allowed one hit in the ninth.
The Indians only allowed three runs in the final three games of this series after dropping the opener 9-4. This continues an outstanding run for Tribe starting pitching. This game was the ninth time in the past eleven games that the Indians’ starter has allowed four earned runs or less. The only two exceptions were Danny Salazar in the Pittsburgh series, and Carlos Carrasco in the series opener with the Astros.
Feathers Down
For the first five innings it looked as if the Indians were going to waste another very good start, which has been something fans have become accustomed to this year. Until the hit parade to lead off the sixth, the Indians were shut out, only posting four hits, something that has become all too familiar to Tribe fans.
Cody Anderson was visited by Terry Francona and Tribe trainer Jeff Desjardins during the sixth inning. Anderson stayed in the game, however he was pulled following the next hitter with a pitch count of only 79. Hopefully, this is nothing, but might be a little worrisome for the Indians.
The attendance was only 11,496, officially. I am not one to usually harp on attendance, but on a Thursday night in the middle of July, this is embarrassing for fans.
Yan Gomes struggled mightily at the plate, finishing one for four, with three strikeouts. Yan’s lone hit was a weak dribbler that beat the shift where the second baseman would have been.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 3 – Houston Astros 1
On Deck: The Indians (41-44) host the AL West last-place Oakland Athletics (39-49) at Progressive Field, Friday, July 10, at 7:10PM. Danny Salazar (7-4, 4.10 ERA) will take the bump for the Tribe, while Jesse Hahn (6-6, 3.35 ERA) will start for Oakland.
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