Player of the Game
Danny Salazar was electric tonight, striking out ten in seven innings. The only two runs allowed by the young star were because of his own poor defensive plays (more on that later) as otherwise he shut out one of the best offenses in baseball over the other six. He allowed just six hits and one walk throughout, moving his season strike out total to 172 and his career mark over 400 (405).
Feathers Up
The Indians stole a run early on when Ryan Goins got a little to aggressive at second. Jason Kipnis lead the game off with a double and predictably, Francisco Lindor attempted to bunt him to third. Thankfully, he fouled two off and was forced to swing the bat, eventually grounding to second. Goins fielded the ball and threw to third, attempting to nab Kipnis, but the ball bounced away and both runners were safe. Kipnis came home on a Michael Brantley double play, the only run that would score by either teams in the first four innings.
The Indians were able to tag David Price for a couple more in the seventh to regain the lead. Carlos Santana walked, the best start to any rally, and Ryan Raburn scored him from first with a double to deep right center. Raburn himself scored on a two out single through short by Jerry Sands to give the Tribe the 3-2 lead.
Yan Gomes showed the benefit of aggressive base running tonight to gain an insurance run for Cody Allen in the ninth. After reaching first with two outs, Lonnie Chisenhall pinch hit for Jerry Sands and hit a little dribbler up the middle. Off the glove of Josh Donaldson and into center field, Gomes decided to try for third. Because Donaldson had to retrieve the ball, there was no one covering the base and LaTroy Hawkins was just reaching third when the throw sailed high and deflected off the jumping Hawkins’ glove. Looking to score, Gomes had Hawkins land on him, getting interference and an automatic run. With the lead and two outs, Gomes could have afforded to get out at third and the risk was less than the increased chance of scoring, even for the slow runner.
Feathers Down
Salazar pitched extremely well against a tough offensive team, but had some major issues with the field turf at Rogers Center. He just missed three ground balls that were probably going a little faster than he is used to. Two of these occurred in the fifth, the second of which his deflection allowed Ben Revere to be safe at first. With two outs and a full count on Josh Donaldson, the likely 2015 AL MVP crushed a ball that just glanced off Abraham Almonte‘s glove in center for a two run triple. While none of the three were considered errors, they were the only reason the Blue Jays were allowed to score.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 4 – Toronto Blue Jays 2
On Deck: Continuing on in the new home of Mark Shapiro, the Indians will send Cody Anderson against Marco Estrada Tuesday night at 7:07 PM.
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