The Biggest Possible Roster Update: The trade Indians fans have been waiting two years for has finally taken place as Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn (along with $10M) were sent to Atlanta in exchange for Chris Johnson. For a more detailed breakdown on the trade, I wrote this synopsis earlier as well as a look into how this will affect the team in the future.
Player of the Game
Yan Gomes has had a few good games between the bad this year, but this was his best so far as it was his three run home run to left that gave the Indians the lead in the fourth. He also knocked in a run in the third with a bases loaded sacrifice fly. Another hit later on left him with a 2/3 night with four RBI. This was his second Player of the Game award in three games.
Feathers Up
The Indians responded quickly to six Minnesota runs scored in the third by adding four of their own in the bottom frame. Giovanny Urshela and Tyler Holt singled to start with a Francisco Lindor single loading the bases. Michael Brantley came through with the rarest of hits, a bases loaded single, to score one, then Carlos Santana walked in a run. The Gomes sac fly and a Lonnie Chisenhall single added two more before Jerry Sands ended the inning with a fly to right.
Not only did the Indians score runs in consecutive innings tonight, they scored more than five for the first time in the last eight games. After the Twins scored one in the top of the fourth, the Tribe came back with Urshela and Lindor singling for the second time each, a Brantley double and a three run Gomes home run. By the end of the inning, the Indians had the lead and nine runs on the board.
Feathers Down
LOB Report: It’s incredible, but the Indians found a brand new way to get themselves out of a situation with a runner on third and one out. Jose Ramirez doubled to start the game, then was moved to third by a Lindor sacrifice bunt (which is a whole separate discussion). In this almost impossible not to score situation, Brantley hit a weak ground ball up the middle and Ramirez waited far too long to decide whether or not to run. He eventually decided he was pro-running and was tagged out at home after Brantley was forced at first.
Cody Anderson initially appeared to be over his recent struggles as he quickly went through the first two innings without allowing a base runner, but things fell apart just as fast in the third. Aaron Hicks started the inning off with a single, then was moved to second with a sacrifice bunt. This would be deemed unnecessary as the next two batters hit safely and Joe Mauer was intentionally walked to load the bases. After an infield fly for the second out, Anderson allowed a two run double to Trevor Plouffe and a back breaking two run single to Torii Hunter. With five runs in, Austin Adams relieved Anderson, but allowed a steal and a triple before finally ending the inning.
As if Hunter hadn’t done enough to destroy the Indians over the past 19 years, he came though again tonight when it mattered most. After single scores in the fifth and the sixth tied the game for Minnesota, Zach McAllister and Bryan Shaw kept things quiet until the ninth. Here, Terry Francona decided to pitch Shaw two innings and after one out, that decision quickly looked unfortunate. Hunter hit the go ahead home run and Eddie Rosario hit a triple before Shaw was removed. Cody Allen finished things off without further score, but the Twins had already taken the one run lead.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 9 – Minnesota Twins 10
On Deck: Saturday night should be a big game for the Tribe as it will likely be the debut of Johnson in addition to being Brantley bobble head night and fireworks. The pitching match-up isn’t too shabby as Ervin Santana will go against Trevor Bauer at 7:10 PM.
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