Player of the Game
Mike Aviles set a new career high with 5 RBI and generally lead the offense in their best game since scoring 19 against Houston more than a week ago (4/20). The RBI came mostly from a three run home run, but also during a fielder's choice in the first and a sacrifice fly in the seventh. The award is Aviles' third of the season, each at a different position. With his early season success and the struggles of Jason Kipnis, you may see more of Aviles at second until Kipnis gets back on his feet.
Feathers Up
The Indians had no problem scoring runs early in the night game, making one wonder what has been going on during the past two games. In the fourth inning the Indians had a runner on third with no outs and he actually scored (on a Drew Stubbs sacrifice fly) instead of ending the inning there. They even hit a home run the inning before. These are strange happenings for a team that was unable to score just this afternoon against Jeremie Guthrie. The six runs in four innings match the total runs scored by the Indians in their last four games combined, just showing another example of the Indians spotty offense.
The Indians scored a very unconventional run in the seventh inning on a Ryan Raburn strike out. With runners at the corners, Raburn check swung on a full count pitch. Carlos Santana headed to second, thinking it was a walk and dodged the tag after George Kottaras threw to second to catch him stealing. The return throw from first during the run down blew by the short stop and Mark Reynolds was able to score from third as Santana was safe at second. Santana was credited with a (walking) steal and Chris Getz earned the error for the wild throw.
In general, Corey Kluber looked fantastic tonight, and like Justin Masterson in the early game, made it very easy for the Indians to get through the double header with limited damage to the pitching staff. Most importantly for Kluber, he didn't walk anybody, while his six strike outs should be considered a bonus. His season numbers look just as impressive as he has allowed just three runs in 12 innings while striking out 11.
Yan Gomes hit another triple tonight, his second in as many games, giving him three extra base hits in seven games. For some reason Indians management has stated that Gomes needs to play every day in the minors rather than a few times a week for the Indians, but he is only one year younger than Marson who has been the Indians reserve catcher for four dismal years. The newest Marson injury is great news for the Indians as it means they will actually have a productive reserve catcher for at least two more weeks. It may be even longer if Indians management wakes up at some point.
Feathers Down
Corey Kluber was playing with fire early on, giving up six hits in the first four innings including three doubles. It finally caught up to him in the fourth when he gave up a two run, two out bloop single to Chris Getz.
The Indians won the game and can split the series tomorrow, but it only came after another three game losing streak. Thus far in 2013, the Tribe is yet to lose a single game between wins. It has been at least two, with three losing streaks of three or more.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 10 – Kansas City Royals 3
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
