Player of the Game
As the only really positive offensive performer, Jason Kipnis takes home his second consecutive Player of the Game and his fifth of the season. Kipnis singled, doubled and walked, the last of which lead to the Indians only run.
Feathers Up
Turning a negative into a positive, Kipnis continued his hot streak tonight, hitting safely twice, both times reaching third although he was unable to score. This would be a piece of the problem as the Indians were unable to score at all tonight, getting held to one run or less for the fourth time in the last eight games. Unlike early in the season, when the top of the lineup couldn’t get on, now the issue is generally with the numbers four through eight hitters as one, two and three have been doing their job. The removal of Lonnie Chisenhall and Jose Ramirez from the order has helped, but not enough as players who were performing, like Carlos Santana and Brandon Moss, have had struggled to make contact in the past few weeks.
As he had in most of his poorer starts, Corey Kluber settled down impressively after giving up four runs in the first three innings. After starting off with four walks to just two strike outs, he struck out four without walking any over his last four innings. He ultimately pitched through the seventh, giving any team with even the most bare of offenses a legitimate chance to win.
Feathers Down
Kluber did struggle for the third straight game as he walked four and allowed three first inning runs, four total. The Indians ace was able to get himself out of the many jams he created with three double plays, including an assist from Michael Bourn to third and a strike out throw out in the fourth. Kluber was even aided by a fielder’s choice at second on a line drive by Brandon Moss in right. Like his start against Kansas City on June 3rd (9 H, 4 ER in 8 IP), the Rays had a great game plan against Kluber, fouling off the tough pitches and working him deep into the count until he threw something easier to hit.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 1 – Tampa Bay Rays 4
On Deck: Cody Anderson will make his Major League debut tomorrow at 1:10 PM against Jesus Colome in the wrap up of the three game series with Tampa.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
