Player of the Game
Danny Salazar was dynamic tonight, striking out eight and allowing just a single, unearned run thanks to a couple poor defensive plays in the first. After that, he allowed just four more hits through 8.2 total innings, with just two other runners getting as far as second base. This was the Indians fourth complete game of the season, all being from different pitchers. Indians starting pitchers have won every Player of the Game the last time through the rotation. Of those five starts, Salazar’s POG score of 9.25 was the best. It was the highest score since Carrasco’s near no hitter and the third highest on the season after Corey Kluber‘s 18 K outing against St. Louis.
Feathers Up
It has been rare for the Indians to get multiple scoring opportunities in consecutive innings, largely because of the poor performance of the last half of the lineup, but it happened today in the third and fourth innings and it was the bottom half that was successful. After a Michael Brantley strike out left runners on first and second in the third, David Murphy and Carlos Santana singled to repeat the situation, only this time with none out, in the fourth. Down one, Yan Gomes came through with the one out double to score the tying run. They weren’t, however, able to do any more damage as Brandon Moss and Giovanny Urshela struck out for the first two outs and Jason Kipnis weakly grounded out to first to end the inning with the bases loaded.
The Indians worked a mirror image in the sixth as well as again, Michael Bourn walked to load the bases with two outs. This time Kipnis came through, but it was more the doing of former Indians farm hand Drew Pomeranz, who walked in the go ahead run on five pitches. He then walked Francisco Lindor as well after a bit more of a battle, although it certainly wasn’t the result Bob Melvin was looking for when he went to his left handed specialist. Michael Brantley then added two more with a line drive single to center, drastically improving the Indians numbers with bases loaded.
Feathers Down
There wasn’t much to take away negative from this game, so it may be time to look at negative effect all the positives are having. Since Cody Anderson has entered the rotation, Terry Francona has had a hard time getting enough innings to keep all his relievers sharp. With Salazar pitching into the ninth, only one was used tonight and the combination of Ryan Webb, Jeff Manship, Austin Adams and Kyle Crockett have made a total of eight appearances in the last 16 games. Given the length the Tribe starters have been providing and the success of Bryan Shaw, Cody Allen and Zach McAllister, it seems as good of a time as any to drop down to seven relievers. This would allow the Indians to bring up either another outfielder, so Mike Aviles doesn’t have to start in left or Jose Ramirez as a pinch runner and utility infielder.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 5 – Oakland Athletics 1
On Deck: In the second to last game before the All-Star break, Carlos Carrasco will face off against Chris Bassitt Saturday night. Due to black out restrictions and a planned fireworks show (there is also Sandy Alomar 1995 jersey giveaway), the game will start at 6:35 PM.
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