Roster Update: While it doesn’t affect the Major League squad directly, Luigi Rodriguez of the Advanced A, Lynchburg Hillcats was suspended 80 games today for using performance enhancing drugs. The outfielder was having a breakout season and was on the short list of prospects deserving of a late season promotion.
Player of the Game
It was a bit of a different Corey Kluber than we are used to tonight, but a very effective one nonetheless. Coming into the game as the AL’s third best strike out pitcher, Kluber didn’t ‘K’ a batter until the fifth (the latest in any of his starts this year), instead creating more pop outs than normal. His first runner allowed, a walk to Miguel Sano, was immediately eliminated with a slick double play between Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor and the only other base runner was Joe Mauer, who ended Kluber’s second attempt at a no hitter with a solo home run in the fourth.
That would be the only hit allowed by Kluber as he finished his second straight complete game, allowing just one run and one base runner over the minimum. After his slow start with strike outs, he still managed to strike out seven batters in the late innings, increasing his season total to 193. Kluber’s one hitter only took him 98 pitches.
Feathers Up
The Indians pounded the Twins last week when they came to Cleveland to the tune of 34 runs in three games and they had similar luck early in this game, knocking the starter Trevor May from the game after the third inning. Things could easily have been better or worse for either team as the second inning started off with a routine fly ball off the bat of Abraham Almonte turned into a one out triple by Aaron Hicks in center field. Giovanny Urshela then added a no doubt home run to left center for a quick two run lead. It looked as if the Indians were set for more when Lonnie Chisenhall and Mike Aviles singled, but Chisenhall was caught out at home after attempting to score on a fly ball to left.
May was only slated for 50 pitches today anyway, filling in for the injured Phil Hughes, but the Twins were hoping to get a little more than three innings out of him. Instead, it took four Twins relievers to finish it out including two innings a piece from J.R. Graham and A.J. Achter, placing the Minnesota bullpen in a hole even before they see what they get from their rookie starter tomorrow night.
The bottom of the Indians lineup continued producing runs each time through. With two outs in the fourth, Urshela, Chisenhall and Aviles singled consecutively for a run, then in the sixth they added one more. Almonte started things off with another double, scoring on Chisenhall’s third single of the game. Aviles then added his third hit, a double to the gap in left, scoring Chisenhall and giving the Indians a four run lead. In all, the Indians final three batters went 8/12 with 5 RBI, 4 runs scored and two steals.
Feathers Down
Joe Mauer is why we can’t have nice things.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 6 – Minnesota Twins 1
On Deck: Josh Tomlin will make his first start for the Tribe in 2015 Saturday night at 7:10 PM ET in Minneapolis after injuring his shoulder in Spring Training. He will face Tyler Duffey, who will be making his second career start after allowing six runs in two innings to the Blue Jays on August 5th.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
