8/30 Recap: Bats Explode Again As Tribe Continues Unlikely Playoff Push

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Player of the Game

Carlos Santana had a 3 hit game today to go along with 3 RBI. His RBI double in the first and his 2 run single in the 6th were all the Tribe would need today.

Feathers Up

The Tribe got up first in the first thanks to a trio of doubles. Jason Kipnis lead off the game with the first against Jered Weaver, then Michael Brantley scored him with his MLB leading 40th. Carlos Santana came through as well, scoring Brantley on a ball that got lost in the sun and was ruled a double. He would go to third on the play that Brantley aggressively went home on, but was stranded there. Had Francisco Lindor not uselessly bunted Kipnis to third for the first out of the inning, the Indians could have had a much bigger inning.

Abraham Almonte continued the Indians new found offensive success at home in the 5th inning with a grand slam, the Tribe’s second grand slam in as many games. After the Angels added  1 run in the top of the 6th, the Indians responded with a Carlos Santana 2 run single to increase the lead to 8-1. The hit was Santana’s 3rd of the game and his 3rd RBI.

Josh Tomlin continues to prove all his  doubters (me) wrong. The Little Cowboy pitched 7 magnificent innings allowing 6 hits, 2 earned runs, while striking out  8. If the Indians manage a playoff birth, credit will be due to Tomlin who has been nothing but rock solid since his return.

The offense has been fantastic at home of late. For the 12th straight home game the Indians tacked on 10 hits or more. For a team that has struggled at home all season this is a welcome change.

Feathers Down

Francisco Lindor’s incessant bunting was one of the only down points to this game. I’m not sure why he insists on bunting so often, if it’s his idea alone or what, but it is supremely annoying and today it may have cost the Indians a few runs in the first inning.

Final Score: Cleveland Indians 9  Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 2

On Deck: Tomorrow the Indians start a huge series with the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto has been on fire since the All-Star Break and the Indians will truly be tested. Monday’s game starts at 7:05, Danny Salazar will square off against the Indians’ rival David Price.

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