Roster Update: After missing just three game due to the birth of his daugher, Carlos Santana was back with the Indians today. To make room, Jerry Sands was designated for assignment, an action that could help clear up the Indians outfield situation.
Player of the Game
If David Murphy and Ryan Raburn were the same person, rather than just being treated like it, they would win a lot more Player of the Game awards and take up less space on the roster, but today, both could have won the award on their own. Since they are individuals, Murphy ended up ousting Raburn by knocking in two with two hits and a walk after pinch hitting for Raburn, who had a solo home run.
Feathers Up
Ryan Raburn made the defensive play of the game to save a couple runs and end the fifth inning (highlighted later), then lead off the very next inning with a solo home run on a full count to right for the first Indians run of the game. This hit was important for another reason as well as it was the second to last straw that ultimately lead to the pulling of starter J.A. Happ from the game.
Milestone Alert: It took until the final day of the month, but after 1/7 in the last two games, Jason Kipnis finally got his 50th hit in May, a double to left in the third inning off Happ. He is the 13th Indian ever and the the first since 2000 to accomplish this feat. He added another hit later for 51 and scored his 30th run of the month after walking in his final at bat in May.
After three scoreless innings, the Indians finally broke the tie in the 12th with an actual RBI hit. Lonnie Chisenhall began the inning with a walk, went to third on a Jose Ramirez double and the bases were loaded with an intentional walk to Jason Kipnis. Another walk, this one unintentional, to Michael Brantley broke the tie and a two out single from David Murphy brought home two more. With the runs, the Indians were able to win the four game series and ten of their last 13 games.
Of course, the Indians wouldn’t have been in any condition to win the game in the 12th if it hadn’t been for an incredible job by the Tribe bullpen. From the sixth inning on, the relief corps didn’t allow a single run thanks to 6.2 shut out innings from Nick Hagadone, Ryan Webb, Bryan Shaw, Cody Allen, Zach McAllister and Austin Adams. The group struck out six, allowed one hit and two walks in a truly dominant showing.
Feathers Down
The Mariners were the first team to score when they did so in the fifth and it took a little help to get one past the dynamic Salazar. After Logan Morrison singled, Salazar walked Brad Miller on a very close pitch. With Dustin Ackley attempting to sacrifice them over, Mike Aviles made a terrible throw to first that got by Kipnis, who was covering, allowing Morrison to score from third and Ackley to reach safely. Without an out recorded, Austin Jackson added another single, just the fourth hit in the game for Seattle, to move the tally to 2-0. An obvious balk made the situation even worse for Salazar and he allowed the third run to score on a Nelson Cruz sacrifice fly.
The Indians did score in the sixth, but they had a chance to do so much more. After the Raburn solo shot, Brandon Moss hit his third single of the game, Yan Gomes hit his second and Mike Aviles was safe on an attempted sacrifice bunt. With the bases juiced, Michael Bourn knocked in the Indians second run of the inning/game and it looked as if they were poised to take the lead. The bases were still loaded and none were out for Jose Ramirez who hit a ground shot to first which was handled nicely by Morrison who tagged the bag and threw home for the double play. Kipnis grounded out up the middle for the final out of the inning and Cleveland was able to make very little out of a great situation.
The theme continued in the eighth when the Indians tied the game, but were unable to score a second run despite a great start. Pinch hitting, Lonnie Chisenhall started the inning with a single, then went to third on a Bourn hit and scored on a Kipnis sacrifice fly. In between, Ramirez killed another rally with a pitiful strike out, then after an intentional walk to Carlos Santana, Michael Brantley grounded out to end the inning. Brantley went 1/5 in the game with three runners stranded in scoring position and, since May 17th has now dropped his average from .348 to .302. In the last three games in particular he is 2/15.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 6 – Seattle Mariners 3
On Deck: The Indians have the first of June off, one of just three off days in the month. When they come back Tuesday, they will be in Kansas City with former Indians first round pick Jeremy Guthrie facing off against Carlos Carrasco.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
