Player of the Game
Justin Masterson has been unable to win a game over the last month, but he did win today’s ‘Player of the Game’ award while avoiding a loss. Masterson earned 3.88 ‘POG’ points while going 8 innings only allowing 2 earned runs. Masterson was not as sharp as Carrasco was yesterday, allowing 9 hits and only striking out 3, but he pitched well enough that he should have gotten a win. Jack Hannahan earned 3.38 points in today’s game and it was his 2 out, 9th inning home run that saved Masterson from getting a loss. In the end it only delayed the inevitable as the Indians lost it in 10.
Feathers Up
Michael Brantley has led off the last four games by getting on base. In those at bats he walked twice, doubled and singled. In those four games Brantley has 4 walks, 5 singles, 1 double, 1 home run and has only made 6 outs. It looks like Brantley could be here to stay at the lead-off spot, leaving Grady Sizemore available to bat further down the lineup where he can make better use of his power.
Cord Phelps made his Major League debut and was immediately put into some clutch positions, coming up with runners in scoring position and two outs in each of his first two at bats. He was unable to knock in either runner, but he made up for it with this fantastic catch to save a run.
Grady Sizemore hit an opposite field home run for his first extra-base hit in his last 5 games. Grady started off very strong after coming off the disabled list this season, hitting more doubles than anyone else on the team.
Feathers Down
Run production has been down over the home stand, a far cry from when the Indians won 14 straight games at home, the Indians averaged only 1.86 runs per game over the last home stand. Hopefully the Tribe will be able to turn it around against the Yankees in New York and the left handers will be able to take advantage of the short porch in right field.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 2, Minnesota Twins 3 in 10 innings.
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