Player of the Game
Michael Brantley hit a home run to tie the game, then scored the game winning run on Orlando Cabrera’s single in the 13th, winning him his second ‘Player of the Game’ award this season. Brantley hit two singles along with the home run, and took second on an errant pick off attempt before scoring the walk off run. His final ‘POG’ score for the game was 4.52, his highest of the season. The top pitcher was Tony Sipp, who earned the win after pitching two shutout innings, striking out 2 and allowing 2 hits for a ‘POG’ score of 3.05.
Feathers Up
Alex White pitched very well in his Major League debut, going six innings and only allowing two runs. White allowed 6 hits and 4 walks (two intentional) and was never really in trouble as both runs scored on solo home runs. White would have been in line for the win if the Indians would have been able to come through when they had bases loaded with two outs in the 6th. It was still a quality start and Alex White has earned his chance at a second start.
Lou Marson threw out a runner attempting to steal second today after Carlos Santana threw out a runner yesterday. The first 14 attempted steals against the Indians this year were successful, but maybe they have turned a corner by throwing out two consecutive runners.
The Tribe figured out the best was to pitch to the Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera and used that strategy in three of his 6 at bats. That strategy is to throw the ball three feet outside and pitch to Brennan Boesch. This was extremely successful when they used it (3 AB, 0 R, 0H, 0 RBI) and the opposite was true when they didn’t (3 AB, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 2B, 1RBI).
The attendance was up today, drawing the most fans to Progressive Field since Opening Day. Over 8,000 people walked up to buy tickets, the third largest ever. Apparently an 11 game home winning streak (now 12), a walk off win the day before and Alex White pitching in his Major League debut is a good way to draw a crowd.
Feathers Down
Who was that slick fielding shortstop, looking flashy for the Tigers and spelling his name in a funny way? It just might have been Jhonny Peralta, owner of the Indians all time home run record by a short stop. The former Indian who was spurned by fans and the media has been moved back to short stop and is now tied for third in fielding percentage at that position with a .989 (Asdrubal Cabrera is 4th). Last year Jhonny Peralta was first in fielding percent of all third basemen with more than 200 total chances.
I’ve been too hard on the Indians for striking out so much and Austin Kearns for failing at baseball, so I won’t mention here that every Indian except Michael Brantley and Orlando Cabrera struck out today and that Austin Kearns went 0-5.
Final Score: The Division leading Cleveland Indians 3, the third place Detroit Tigers 2 in 13 innings.
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