Roster Update: Shaun Marcum needed to be promoted to make tonight’s start (he may make more as well depending on the health and ability of T.J. House) and in order to make room on the 25 man roster, Zach Walters was sent back to AAA. During his time with the team, Walters went just 1/17 with eight strike outs and no walks.
Player of the Game
Shaun Marcum gave the Indians a better start than they ever could have asked for. Marcum, making his first major league start since 2013, pitched 6 2/3 giving up 6 hits, 2 earned runs, while striking out 6 batters. He kept White Sox batters off balance all game long never allowing them to get comfortable and into a groove. This was a phenomenal outing at the perfect time, the Indians haven’t been getting production out of the 5th spot in the rotation all season and Marcum did just that.
Feathers Up
The Indians didn’t have many scoring opportunities early in the game, but did a great job manufacturing runs. In the 6th Jose Ramirez walked and promptly stole second base. He moved to third on the Nick Swisher single and would eventually score on Mike Aviles‘ sac fly to left which tied the game at 1. In the 7th Brett Hayes lead off the inning with a walk, Michael Bourn laid down a bunt that pitcher Dan Jennings fielded and threw into centerfield. With no outs Jason Kipnis was able to bunt the runners into scoring position and Jose Ramirez followed that up with an RBI single into left field. This got the Indians rolling and with runners on the corners for Michael Brantley, Dr. Smooth roped a double into the right field corner scoring two. This was a great inning by the Tribe, being able to score 3 runs on just two hits on a night when the offense wasn’t able to get going like they’d have liked is a positive sign for the Indians moving forward.
Feathers Down
The Indians’ offense was quiet for the 4th straight game tonight, unable to score a run off rookie Carlos Rodon until the 6th inning, and even that was just 1 run. The Indians continue to struggle with talented lefty starters, a trend that will have to end if the they hope to remain competitive in the Central.
Cody Allen has looked shaky all season and that continued tonight. After surrendering a base hit to Jose Abreu, he walked Adam LaRoche and Avail Garcia back-to-back to load the bases. Alexei Ramirez, who always comes up clutch against the Tribe, tapped a dribbler to third that Lonnie Chisenhall couldn’t make a play on and the Sox scored a run making it 4-3. To his credit he struck out the next batter to end the game, but it’s these kind of poor performances in high-leverage situations that the Indians have been struggling with all season long.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 4 – Chicago White Sox 3
On Deck: The Indians will wrap up the series with the Pale Hose tomorrow with another 8:10 p.m. start. Danny Salazar (4-1, 4.06 ERA) will take the mound for the Tribe while the eternally disappointing (for White Sox Fans) John Danks (2-3, 4.66 ERA) will man the hill for Chicago.
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