Roster Update:
Indians recalled LHP Shawn Morimando, who made his major league debut this year on July 2nd in Toronto. They also recalled (and regained) OF defensive stud Michael Martinez after he was released by the Boston Redsox this week. To make room for these two, LHP Ryan Merritt and IN Erik Gonzales were optioned back to triple-A Columbus.
Player of the Game
One of the only little signs of possible relief the Indians felt in tonight’s game was the three-run homer off the bat of Tribe catcher Chris Gimenez, cutting the Yankees then lead to three runs above Cleveland, 6-3, in the 5th. It came after a Jose Ramirez single, and a double from Abraham Almonte (his 7th in a month).
This season, Gimenez has two home runs on the season, with six RBI, and a .501 OPS, so at this point, anything productive from him offensively is a good thing, even in a losing game.
Feathers Up
The Indians offense seems to be the only thing about this team not chugging along on its bare rims this week, but even they are only scratching the surface of what they were just a few weeks ago. Tonight, the bats fought back a few times during the game, getting 11 hits but only scoring seven runs. Even in the top of the 9th, the offense tried to hang on, leaving two on to end the game, coming up five runs short of the Yankees 13.
On the slower side of the offense, Carlos Santana collected his 600th career walk in just under 4000 PAs since 2006, putting him closer to the top ten all time in career walks for Cleveland Indians.
Feathers Down
It was a milestone night for RHP Josh Tomlin tonight, as he pitched in his 100th start. Unfortunately, another player hit a milestone tonight, Yankees SS Sterlin Castro hit his first career grand slam off Tomin in the 3rd inning, putting the Bronx Bombers up 6-0. Tomlin lasted only 4 2/3 innings, and gave up seven runs on nine hits and only struck out two.
The Indians pitching continues to be an issue, from the starters to the closers and mostly everyone in between, and the fans decked out in wahoo-red, white and blue can only hope this too shall pass (sooner rather than later). The pen behind Tomlin was not much better, as Morimando walked four, struck out one, and gave up three, and LHP Kyle Crockett gave up two more runs and two walks. Surprisingly, the only solid pitcher for the Indians was Zach McAllister, who came in to relieve Tomlin in the 5th, pitched 1/3 of an inning, and gave up a single hit but nothing else across the board.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 7 – New York Yankees 13
On Deck: Game two in the Big Apple is set for Saturday afternoon, first pitch 1:04PM. It will be a battle of the big boys as Cleveland’s Ace, Corey Kluber faces off with the familiar arm of C.C. Sabathia. Will Kluber set the positive tone to get the pitchers out of this rut? Only one way to find out!
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