Player of the Game
While there is little good that can happen in an 8-4 loss when almost every game needs to be won to enter the postseason, Jose Ramirez had a pretty good game for himself today. He singled and scored from second on a single in the second, then singled again in the fourth. In the fifth, he beat out a double play with one out to knock in another run as well. The Tribe’s best pitcher on the night was Shawn Armstrong, who threw a 1-2-3 ninth with a strike out.
Feathers Up
The Royals got two quick outs in the second, but then Yordano Ventura tried to get cute and it cost him. First, he quick pitched the first offering to Jose Ramirez and Ramirez quick hit it into right field for a single. Giovanny Urshela followed with a single off Ventura’s ankle, then Kipnis hit another to left. Hustling, Ramirez would have scored anyway, but the ball got away from Salvador Perez, allowing Urshela to score all the way from first. Had Ventura been backing up the play, it is likely just one run would have scored, but he was enjoying the view from his comfortable position on the mound.
Overall, Corey Kluber pitched well in his return to the mound, although it was a short outing. He threw just four innings and 61 pitches, striking out five and allowing three runs (2 ER) on five hits. While this isn’t vintage Kluber, it is about as good as can be expected considering that he missed about three starts due to his strained hamstring and didn’t get a chance to rehab in the minors.
Milestone Alert: With his fifth inning double (after which he scored on a Jose Ramirez fielder’s choice), Carlos Santana now has 165 in his career, moving into 40th in team history tied with Al Rosen. He is second among active Indians players behind Michael Brantley who has 189.
Feathers Down
The Indians announced prior to tonight’s game that Trevor Bauer will be sent to the bullpen for the time being to maintain a five man rotation with Kluber now back from injury. This was the obvious choice as Josh Tomlin and Cody Anderson have played exceptionally well in their recent appearances.
Kluber was a little rusty in his return and he wasn’t helped in the second inning by a rare Urshela error. The throwing error lead off the inning, then a single and an Omar Infante three run home run gave Kansas City the early lead. He quickly settled after allowing one more single, getting a sacrifice bunt and two more quick outs to end the inning.
The Indians had managed to keep it a one run game while Kluber was in, but Kyle Crockett quickly changed that in the fifth. He struck out the first batter, but walked the next and a single and an Eric Hosmer double later was removed from the game after giving up one run and retiring just one batter. The usually unsinkable Jeff Manship relieved him and also quickly retired the first batter he faced on a terrific play by Francisco Lindor. A walk and a double later, however, both of Crockett’s runners had scored and the Indians were down 6-2.
Gavin Floyd pitched well during his first inning, but even he couldn’t stop the scorching hot Infante. Infante’s was the third of four consecutive hits allowed by Floyd and the one that brought home two runs. Infante hasn’t played much since rosters were expanded, but he certainly had a game for himself tonight, knocking in seven of the Royals eight runs on three hits including his second home run of the season.
Clippers Update: The Columbus Clippers were unable to complete the sweep of the International League Championship series, losing 6-5 to the Indianapolis Indians. While Zach Walters did complete a cycle in the game, he injured his shoulder sliding into home on his final hit, an inside-the-park home run. Walters is one of a few Clippers who are expected to be promoted once their season ends.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 4 – Kansas City Royals 8
Scoreboard Watch: Looking for a four game sweep, the Rangers were beating the Astros 3-2 though seven at the close of the Indians game. In the less important Angels verse Twins match, Los Angeles was winning 9-7 through four. This game is less important as the Indians should be rooting for a split of the four game series so neither team gains too much.
On Deck: The Indians will continue their home stand with three more against Chicago next. The first of three left handers the Indians face will be Chris Sale going against Cody Anderson at 7:10 PM Friday night.
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