Player of the Game
Carlos Santana is back and better than ever as he wins his first Player of the Game in about 60 games. In the first 32 games this season Santana won 5, but he had been shut out to this point in the year. Tonight he earned his score of 7.73 with a three run home run to increase the lead in the 7th and an RBI single in the top of the 9th.
Feathers Up
After ending his second 10 plus game hitting streak of the season on Monday night (5 walks this series but no hits), Michael Brantley hit a triple to lead off the second inning tonight. Of course the Indians were unable to score him from third even though their two best power hitters (Carlos Santana and Travis Hafner) were coming to bat, ruining what should have been a joyous occasion.
Esmil Rogers came with the bases loaded and one out in the 5th inning and proceeded to strike out Elliot Johnson and get B.J. Upton to ground out to end the inning with no damage. He then went on to pitch the next inning and struck another batter out while only giving up a single walk.
Feathers Down
There are no complaints about the umpires tonight. Justin Masterson earned all 7 of his walks tonight.
Tony Sipp has been ineffective most of the season and has pitched in two straight games, yet Manny Acta went to him first once the Tribe took the lead. Sipp gave up a single and a walk and was quickly removed. Joe Smith, the pitcher that should have been brought in in the first place, quickly got a double play and was out of the inning with only a single run scored.
Acta did it again in the 9th as the Indians increased their lead past the point of save eligibility so the manager brought in Jeremy Accardo instead of Chris Perez. There are players you can trust in this bullpen and those you cannot. The trust list currently consists of Perez, Pestano, Smith and possibly Rogers with no one else even close to making the list. Pitchers not on the list should not see game time while the Indians have a lead of less than 8 runs until they can prove themselves in no risk situations. Accardo did finish the game, but he allowed a run on a walk and a double.
Play of the Game
Jason Kipnis hit an RBI single up the middle to knock in the game tying run in the 7th inning. He ended up scoring on a Carlos Santana home run after the Tribe took the lead on a Michael Brantley single. The play also earned Joe Maddon an ejection from the game.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 10 – Tampa Bay Rays 6
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