Roster Update: The trade deadline is now passed and the Indians participation in the event joined the team today. Marc Rzepczynski is now the team's primary left hander, taking the role that has been normally fulfilled by Rich Hill this season. Hill, however, remains on the team in superfluous fashion while superstar relivier, Vinnie Pestano has been demoted to AAA to make room for the long named lefty.
Player of the Game
Corey Kluber threw 8.2 innings and struck out six to win tonight's Player of the Game. Kluber allowed just three runs and eight hits while he was in the game. A fourth run was allowed by Cody Allen in the ninth. His brilliant pitching was the only thing that kept the Tribe in the game through the ninth so they could mount a comeback.
Feathers Up
Corey Kluber set a new career high by pitching into the ninth inning tonight. He did so by getting ahead early in the count and limiting base runners, especially by not walking anyone. While he did give up three runs, they all came in the sixth inning, the only time he had any trouble during the game. The White Sox hit safely four times that inning, half of their total hits against Kluber.
Michael Brantley hasn't had too many extra base hits this season, but he had two of his 17 doubles tonight. He wasn't alone as Carlos Santana, Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn all had doubles as well as the primary form of Indians offense tonight.
The Indians pulled off another excelled late inning comeback, scoring twice in the ninth inning to tie the game. Brantley and Jason Giambi started the inning by getting on base, then Drew Stubbs was safe at first when attempting a sacrifice. This play was incredibly important as if he would have just hit the sacrifice, the Indians would have lost by one in the ninth. Michael Bourn then followed with a sacrifice fly that advanced all the runners and, after an intentional walk to Nick Swisher, Jason Kipnis did the same to tie things up.
If the ninth inning rally wasn't enough, Carlos Santana came through with the Indians ninth walk off win of 2013 when he hit a solo home run to lead off the tenth inning. Of course, the most important result of this blast was that Chris Perez earned his second win in the past three games.
With the win the Indians win the series against Chicago and will go for the sweep tomorrow. Detroit won as well, so the Indians remain 2.5 games back, but the Tigers are idle tomorrow, so the Indians will have a chance to make up another half game then.
Feathers Down
Terry Francona pulled Kluber in the ninth inning with two outs and a runner on, despite how dominant he had been all night and a relatively low pitch count. Cody Allen then came in and blew a game that it has to be assumed Kluber would have had in hand. It is unfair that Kluber didn't get a win since the blame belongs firmly with the manager and the bullpen.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 6 – Chicago White Sox 5
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