Player of the Game
Michael Brantley won his 4th ‘Player of the Game’ of 2011 for his 3 run home run that accounted for all the Indians offense during the game. It is his first since May and his final score was 5.42.
Feathers Up
Michael Brantley hit a three-run homerun in the top of the third in an high-leverage situation to put the Tribe on top 3-0. His homerun made an otherwise frustrating inning better. Hopefully, this homerun will get his bat going again.
Frank Herrmann, making his first appearance since June 20, started the third in place of an injured Fausto Carmona (see below). Herrmann retired seven straight before Reds SS Paul Janish singled with one out in the fifth. He retired the next two batters to end the inning. It was the third time in 15 appearances that Herrmann made a three-inning appearance. They’ve all been scoreless. He struck out two and allowed one hit on 45 pitches.
Vinnie Pestano picked up the second save of his major league career! However, he is not new to the closer role. He recoreded 71 saves in his minor league career. Overall, the Indians worked seven innings striking out 10 and only giving up one earned run.
Feathers Down
Carmona left the game with an injury after stumbling while running down the first baseline in the third. Carmona injured his quad when he bunted to third base following a leadoff single by Lou Marson. Marson was safe at second when shortstop Paul Janish didn’t step on the bag. Carmona, sprinting down the line, was safe at first as well. Unfortunately, he lost his balance a couple of steps from the bag and tumbler over it. Lonnie Soloff, Indians head athletic trainer, spent several minutes talking to Carmona. He was apparently checking his right hand. Carmona took a hard shot off the hand knocking down Homer Bailey’s comeback to end the second inning. As he was walking back to the dugout, Carmona was shaking the hand. After watching him take a header running to first base – its time for MLB and the Players Association to make a uniform decision if we’re going to keep interleague play. Either get rid of the DH, so pitchers spend more time hitting and running the bases or implement it in both leagues.
The Indians couldn’t get much going against Reds starter Homer Bailey after the third. Lonnie Chisenhall and Austin Kearns opened the fourth with singles, Marson struck out. Herrmann, batting in the spot for Carmona, advanced Chisenhall to third, but forced Kearns at second on his bunt attempt. Bailey retired Brantley to end the inning. Carlos Santana reached on a two-out bloop double in the fifth, but was stranded.
Tony Sipp had a rough bottom half of the eighth inning. He gave up a lead off homerun to Joey Votto, followed by a double by Scott “Rock N'” Rolen, was able to strike out Jay Bruce but walked Jonny Gomes. It’s been a rough road trip for Sipp.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 3 – Cincinnati Reds 1
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