Roster Update: Michael Bourn has returned from the paternity list just on time and Nick Hagadone will get back on the proverbial train to Columbus while Rich Hill and Joe Martinez stay in Cleveland without an option to split between the two of them.
Player of the Game
Jason Kipnis did everything he could today to win the game, but two bad bullpens canceled out all other performances as the Indians ended their five game winning streak. Kipnis singled in his first at bat, then later hit an three run inside-the-park home run. His team leading 10th Player of the Game of the season came with a score of 5.56.
Feathers Up
Award News: As expected, Jason Kipnis took home both Player of the Week honors for the last week in June and Player of the Month honors for the whole month. This is his second Player of the Week award for Kipnis this month. Overall, he batted .419 with 12 doubles and 25 RBI. He also played above average defense at the second base position and stole nine bases while being caught just once.
Hit-Streak Update: Jason Kipnis now has a 14 game hitting streak and a 34 game on base streak.
Scott Kazmir looked to be in a little trouble in the third inning when Alex Gordon lead off the inning with a single. However, Gordon was thrown out by Yan Gomes while attempting to steal second base, something he had no business doing. Kazmir then did his part by striking out Eric Hosmer to end the inning with no damage done.
The Indians took advantage of an awkward fall by Gordon who missed a Kipnis fly ball to left and hit his head on the fence. Kipnis circled the bases and knocked in both runners on base for a three run inside the park home run. The play gave the Indians a three run lead and Gordon left the game, luckily able to walk off the field.
Feathers Down
The Indians bullpen struggles continued tonight as Bryan Shaw was unable to clean up Scott Kazmir's mess in the sixth inning. Shaw got the first out with little trouble, but then allowed three straight RBI singles through the hole between first and second. The hits were almost identical as the batters each were able to take Shaw the other way. After the singles, Shaw then threw a pick-off attempt past Nick Swisher at first to give up the fourth run of the inning, the lead long gone. Kazmir actually pitched pretty well tonight and did not deserve this fate.
An Indians comeback to tie the game gave another reliever a chance to blow the game and this time it was surprisingly Cody Allen's turn. Allen has been superb all season, but left a pitch up against Eric Hosmer and gave up a solo home run to dead center to hand the Royals back the lead.
In a season full of extreme delays and long games, tonight was no exception as the Indians played well past midnight local time again, ending at 2:08 AM eastern. In addition to the incredibly long rain delay to start the game, the game was also held up by an electrical malfunction that caused half the lights in the stadium to turn off.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 5 – Kansas City Royals 6
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