Player of the Game
Scott Kazmir proved again today why he was the best free agent signing by the Indians during the past offseason. Kazmir has gotten better almost every time out and is now starting to look like the Tampa Bay ace of old. Today, he brought a no hitter into the fifth inning and didn't allow an earned run all game. In the end, he threw a one hitter through eight innings, by far his best game of the season. With a POG score of 10.75 (the third best score of any Indians starter this year), he now has surpassed Ubaldo Jimenez as the Indians third best starter.
Feathers Up
Milestone Alert: Calros Santana got things started early with an RBI double in his first at bat. That double was his 100th in his career. He becomes the 78th player to hit 100 doubles with the Cleveland Indians as he takes teammate Asdrubal Cabrera's place as the most recent member of the club.
The Indians table setters did a good job in the first inning, when Michael Bourn hit a bunt single past the pitcher to start the game. Nick Swisher then walked, giving a great opportunity for Asdrubal Cabrera, who took advantage with a two run double. Santana then doubled him in as well to give the Indians a 3-0 lead to start the game.
The Indians found some power in the most unlikeliest of sources today as Michael Bourn hit his first career grand slam in the fifth inning. Joe Saunders started the inning for the Mariners, but was pulled after allowing two base runners with two outs. Hector Noesi replaced Saunders, but didn't provide any relief as he immediately walked Drew Stubbs to load the bases and went to a full count on Bourn. Bourn then took a fast ball to straight center field for the grand slam, giving the Indians an 8-1 lead.
With the impressive offensive output thrown out there by the Indians today, there were a few players who stuck out. Obviously, Bourn knocked in four runs with the grand slam, but he also scored twice as well and reach base safely three times. Cabrera was even more productive, knocking in three (with a double and a home run) and scoring four times. Santana had a nice game as well, but only knocked in two runs with his two doubles.
Feathers Down
Errors continue to hurt the Tribe as today it was Mark Reynolds and Asdrubal Cabrera who each overthrew a ball, giving the Mariners the base runners that they were unable to get off Scott Kazmir otherwise. It is likely these errors that forced Kazmir to throw over 100 pitches in his first eight innings and kept him from completing the game.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 10 – Seattle Mariners 1
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