Player of the Game
Jim Thome won ‘Player of the Game’ on his night with a score of 5.86 powered by an opposite field double and a deep home run to center field. Thome also hit a single and knocked in three runs. Matt LaPorta also had a nice night with 3 hits, 2 RBI and a score of 3.70.
Feathers Up
Tonight was Jim Thome’s night as the Indians celebrated his career with the team and announced plans for a statue of him in center field placed in approximately the same spot as his momentous 511 foot home run. This honor has been a long time coming as Jim Thome is the greatest power hitter in Indians history.
Tribe relievers improved in a stat they have been struggling with of late by stranded every runner that was left on base by a previous pitcher. Frank Herrmann left the bases loaded when he came in for Justin Masterson and both Rafael Perez and Joe Smith stranded their inherited runners. Chris Perez also pitching well, earning the win and pitching a clean inning where all three batters popped out in the infield.
Feathers Down
Justin Masterson didn’t exactly finish the season strong, pitching in one of his least memorable starts this season. Masterson walked 6 and hit 2 batters giving him 8 extra base runners he shouldn’t have had to deal with. Regardless of how his season ends, he has proved this year that he has become exactly what everyone involved with the Indians hoped he would turn in to and will be the ace going into 2012. Masterson is scheduled to start the last game of the season, but does not have to make that start due to the extra starting pitchers on the Indians roster.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 6 – Minnesota Twins 5
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