Roster Update: After a long 37 games, the Indians catcher and unofficial captain Yan Gomes has returned to the starting lineup. Since he was originally expected to miss two months, this is great news. To make room, back-up catcher Brett Hayes has been designated for assignment with Roberto Perez heading to the bench.
Player of the Game
The Reds were able to make contact with Trevor Bauer today more easily than most teams have in the past, but you could tell his pitches were still working by the weakness of said contact. Bauer struck out just four in 7.2 innings, but allowed only five hits and one run off a solo home run. Two of those hits came in the first and, outside of a Mike Aviles error, Bauer allowed just one more base runner between the first and the Marlon Byrd home run in the seventh.
Feathers Up
The Indians were tested by a new pitcher today as Johnny Cueto missed his scheduled start and Raisel Iglesias took over. Cleveland had played just one inning against Iglesias ever, on March 4th this Spring Training when he allowed two unearned runs in one inning. Today, the Indians had the best possible approach against the rookie, being very patient early on. Although it lead to five strike outs the first time through the order, it also lead to 84 pitches in the first three innings. The second time through the lineup, Carlos Santana doubled, Brandon Moss walked for the second time and, combined with rare defensive miscues from both Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips, the Indians were able to score the first two runs of the game.
Cleveland added two more runs in the sixth thanks to even more shoddy Cincinnati defense. Reliever J.J. Hoover misplayed an infield bouncer from Yan Gomes to start the inning, then two walks loaded the bases. With two outs, Michael Brantley hit a ground ball to first and the usually perfect Votto made his second mistake of the game, underthrowing Hoover who was running to cover first. Both Mike Aviles and Gomes scored on the play with Michael Brantley extending the inning on the error.
Feathers Down
It is a good thing the Reds defense was there to help out the Tribe because they may not have scored on their own. With all the chances coming from walks and errors, every batter except Aviles stranded a runner in scoring position with four stranding at least two. The worse culprit this time around was Carlos Santana, who popped out to the infield with the bases loaded just prior to the Votto error bringing in two runs. He did redeem himself slightly with an RBI single in the eighth, but following his 2/5 performance today, he is still hitting just .203 this May.
After a perfect one run save yesterday, closer Cody Allen had some issues again today when given a four run lead in the ninth today. He walked Jay Bruce then gave up a double to left from Byrd to bring the game within three. While it wasn’t as complete of an implosion as he had earlier in the year, it certainly wasn’t an awe inspiring performance from the pitcher who had a 6.23 ERA coming into the game.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 5 – Cincinnati Reds 2
On Deck: The Indians will begin their final series of the season against the Rangers tomorrow with a special Memorial Day start time of 4:10 PM. Two pitchers who missed the series two weeks ago will face off with Shaun Marcum making his second start of the year for the Tribe and Phil Klein, who has pitched one inning and allowed two home runs against the Indians, will go for Texas.
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