Player of the Game
Carlos Carrasco extended his current streak of impressive starts to four games today, although he wasn’t quite able to make it through the eighth. After two nine and one eight inning start in his last three, Carrasco threw seven today allowing just two runs on six hits and three walks. Despite a shrinking strike zone, he still managed to strike out seven Twins, bringing his season total up to 162.
Feathers Up
In his first at bat since coming back from the bereavement list, Ryan Raburn had a big hit that lead to the first Tribe run. Against Tommy Milone he ripped a ball down the left field line that was misplayed by Shane Robinson, allowing Raburn to walk into second. He moved to third on a Giovanny Urshela sacrifice bunt, then scored on an Abraham Almonte sacrifice fly. This would be the Indians only run of the game.
Feathers Down
Carrasco looked to have things locked down for the first few batters of the game, but after there were two outs in the second, the situation drastically reversed. Eduardo Nunez hit a chopper up the middle that was just out of the reach of Francisco Lindor, but slow enough that by the time Abraham Almonte recovered it, there were runners on second and third. After Nunez, Kurt Suzuki and Robinson had consecutive singles to drive in two runs and give the Twins a one run lead.
While the Indians made it through the first half of the season fairly unscathed by injuries, things are beginning to pile up now. Mike Aviles has been playing with a sore wrist because Michael Brantley can’t play with his sore shoulder. The loss of Brantley and Jason Kipnis, the only two consistent hitters in the first half, hasn’t had as big of an effect on the offense thanks to recent surges by Almonte and Francisco Lindor, but in low scoring games like the last two, their absence is glaring. While Kipnis is expected back by August 18th in Boston, there has been no word on the extent of Brantley’s injury which has already cost him four of the last five games.
For the second game in a row, the Indians bullpen took a close game and let it go. Bryan Shaw was the guilty party yesterday, allowing a two run home run, but tonight it was the generally steady Zach McAllister. Coming in for the eighth, he allowed a solo home run to Trevor Plouffe, a triple to Eddie Rosario and a bunt single to from Nunez. McAllister retired just one batter before being removed for Ryan Webb.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 1 – Minnesota Twins 4
On Deck: The Indians made it to the middle of August without facing the Red Sox, but that streak will end tomorrow as the Tribe travels to Boston for three. Matt Barnes is expected to be recalled by the Red Sox to make his first start of the year (taking the place of former Indians farm hand Steven Wright), facing off against Danny Salazar at 7:10 PM, Monday night.
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