Player of the Game
Trevor Bauer gave up his first hit, extra base hit and run of the year today, but more importantly, he ended the Indians four game losing streak that began the game after his last start. For his second straight start, too many pitches held Bauer to just six innings during which he struck out eight and allowed three hits. At 18 strike outs on the season, Bauer is now second in the Majors tied with Scott Kazmir, but he has walked nine as well, also second in the Majors. To this point, Bauer has not only been one of the only reliable pitchers on the Indians, but one of the best in all of baseball. He already is a no hit threat each time he takes the mound, if he can get his fastball under control just slightly better, he will be one of the best pitchers in all of baseball for the rest of his career. With a Player of the Game score of 4.93, Bauer just barely edged out Lonnie Chisenhall to become the first two time winner in 2015.
Feathers Up
The Indians announced prior to the game that no serious damage was done to Carlos Carrasco‘s face yesterday and that he will likely be able to pitch on Monday, one day after his normally scheduled start. This is the most positive news the Indians could have received today as he escaped what can be the most dangerous play in all of baseball with very minimal damage.
The Indians used a little small ball to push across the first run of the game, a necessity after left handed pitching had decimated the offense over the past week. Against John Danks, Lonnie Chisenhall started the third inning off with a single, after which an ill-advised bunt by Roberto Perez lead to an even more ill-advised throw to second for an error and runners on first and second. A second bunt (this one more sensible), this time by Jose Ramirez, moved those runners to second and third, after which, Chisenhall scored on a ground out to first. While the Indians did add on in the next inning, getting the lead early was big for the Tribe, who had lost four in a row coming into today’s game.
Performing with a little more power, Chisenhall was the hero again in the following inning, bringing in two with a double to right. Jerry Sands reached first with a single (pushing his hitting streak to four games), after which a Ryan Raburn double (pushing his double streak to three games) moved him to third. Chisenhall brought home both, further dispelling the myth that he cannot hit left handed pitching. Despite batting .294 vs LHP compared to .276 vs RHP in 2014, Terry Francona continues to insist that Chisenhall can’t hit left handers by removing him from games against tough lefties and hitting him low in the lineup.
Feathers Down
Carlos Santana had a rough day at the office today as he was twice robbed of potential singles, once by Micah Johnson on a diving play near short stop in the first and a second time by his counterpart, Jose Abreu with a dive at first that robbed him of a two out RBI in the seventh. Santana did get back at both players, however, as in the fifth he hit a light ground ball up the middle with two outs that scored Jason Kipnis from second and in the top of the eighth, he robbed Abreu of a single with a dive, exactly one batter after Abreu had taken a hit from Santana.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 4 – Chicago White Sox 2
On Deck: The Indians will take Thursday off as they begin the trek to the frozen wasteland that is Minnesota. Once there, they will begin a three game series starting Friday with a game that will feature ace Corey Kluber against Mike Pelfrey.
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