Player of the Game
Ubaldo Jimenez matched his season high by pitching eight shut out innings today, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out six. Jimenez also made a nice play defensively, turning a bunt single into an out. He was able to pitch deep into the game by forcing batters to get out early in the count, allowing him to remain under 100 pitches thrown entering the 8th, something that usually happens in the fifth or sixth inning for Jimenez. He was also able to pitch through this threshold without blowing up as he threw a perfect 8th inning, ending his night. His effort earned him his 8th win of the season and his POG score of 9.90 was his second best on the year.
Feathers Up
With a walk in the fifth, Michael Bourn has now reached base in 11 consecutive game. As the lead-off hitter, his prime goal is to get on base and he has done that with regularity, becoming the spark that starts off the Indians offense. This time he was able to get to third on Nick Swisher's third single of the game and score on a bloop hit by Jason Kipnis, scoring the first run of the game. In the Indians past four games, Bourn has four runs scored and ten RBI.
Much more surprising than last night's game, Alexi Ogando and Ubaldo Jimenez combined for another spectacularly pitched affair. Ogando was pulled during the fifth inning after he allowed the game's first run on a Jason Kipnis single. Prior to that hit, he had allowed just five hits and no runs, however, for the second day in a row, the Rangers starter was outdueled by the Indians as Ubaldo Jimenez threw eight shut out innings and struck out six.
While the Indians weren't able to do much against Ogando, his early removal allowed them to do a lot of damage against the Rangers bullpen. After the fifth inning, Yan Gomes, Mike Aviles (who pinch hit for Lonnie Chisenahall) and Michael Bourn all had RBI hits to give the Indians a 6-0 lead by the time Ubaldo left the game.
In completing their first sweep against the Rangers since 1980, the Indians didn't allow a run in the final two games against the offensive juggernaut. It was the Tribe's 14th shut out of the season, which is good enough to lead the league.
Feathers Down
The Tigers were able to come back against the Phillies, meaning the Indians will maintain the 3.5 game deficit behind Detroit for another day.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 6 – Texas Rangers 0
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