All-Star Update: Asdrubal Cabrera and Chris Perez were named as reserves to the American League All-Star team for the second year in a row. The pair made the trip to Arizona last year as the Indians sole representatives and will make it a tradition this year in Kansas City as the pair was elected to go again. Texas is bringing a team high 7 All-Stars to KC, leaving little room for deserving players like Jason Kipnis.
Player of the Game
Justin Masterson pitched his way 8th Player of the Game of the year with another masterful performance on the mound. Masterson was dominant, pitching four perfect innings before allowing an error and a couple singles in the 5th. Overall he only allowed 2 runs (1 unearned) and struck out 6 while keeping the Orioles to 5 hits over 7 innings. His final game score was 7.06.
Feathers Up
Aaron Cunningham got a rare start today and made it count as he hit his first home run of the season, breaking an 0-12 streak that went across 8 games.
Manny Acta used today to give left handed hitting starters Johnny Damon, Michael Brantley and Jack Hannahan the day off and he couldn’t have picked a better day. The Indians right handed heavy lineup scored 5 runs in the first 4 innings on six extra base hits taking left handed starting pitcher Brian Matusz out early in the game.
After starting the game out poorly Jason Kipnis decided to add as many stats on at once as possible. In the 9th inning he hit an RBI single and immediately stole second.
Feathers Down
As well as the Indians reserves played today on offense, they looked a little rough on defense. Justin Masterson was throwing a perfect game until Jason Donald booted an easy play at short. Donald then missed the tag on a steal for another chance to get that runner out. On the next play a ball dropped in front of Aaron Cunningham that he probably should have dove for considering the situation, but he just let it fall. Later in the game Cunningham did dive for a ball, but was unsuccessful in catching it. It was Cunningham’s first time in centerfield since May 25th and was Donald’s first game at short for the Tribe since April 22nd.
Injury Update: It was announced today that Lonnie Chisenhall‘s broken bone will take at least 10 weeks to heal after surgery, effectively ending his 2012 season. Hopefully the Indians will use him on the starting roster coming out of Spring Training in 2013 and stop playing around with him the way they have with some other young players.
Play of the Game
Aaron Cunningham hit his first home run of the season in no doubt fashion to deep left field.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 6 – Baltimore Orioles 2
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