Player of the Game
Jason Kipnis came to mash today, with three extra base hits including the finishing blow to the Phillies, a monster three run home run in the 8th inning. He scored after each of his hits, giving him three runs and three RBI on the day. He walked once as well, adding up to a POG score of 8.64. It is his team leading, fifth award on the season and his fourth in the Indians past 12 games.
Feathers Up
With Trevor Bauer getting things under control and Brett Myers returning from the DL within the next week, the pressure has been put on Corey Kluber to keep his place on the roster. After three pretty good starts, Kluber was destroyed last week against Detroit. He made amends this week, stating his case in a great game against Philadelphia. Kluber threw six strong innings, allowing just three runs, all knocked in by Jimmy Rollins. While he may not have guaranteed himself another start, hopefully he will at least be kept on the roster as the long reliever.
With two outs and two on in the top of the second, Kluber came up to bat and didn't embarrass himself. In fact, he had a great at bat, taking a couple of very close pitches after he had two strikes and ripping a foul ball down the left field line. He ended the at bat with a line drive out to the gap in left-center that was close to being a two run double. All-in-all, most people would still have preferred to see any player on the Indians bench batting in that position.
The Indians have long been proponents of making the opposing pitchers work and today it worked out perfectly. Even though they only scored three runs by the fifth inning, they already forced Cole Hamels to throw more than 90 pitches. Obviously tiring, Hamels left a ball up against Nick Swisher, who deposited it in the left field seats for a two run home run. It also forced the Phillies to go their bullpen early in the game despite the fact that Hamels pitched better than average, allowing just six hits in his five innings.
Feathers Down
Mark Reynolds was favoring his left shoulder/elbow during the at bat in which he eventually doubled against Cole Hamels. Once he reached second he still appeared to be in some discomfort. He was removed from the game in the 7th after striking out as part of a double switch with no further mention of the possible injury. Reynolds remains the Indians top hitter and the Indians cannot afford to lose his presence.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 10 – Philadelphia Phillies 4
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