While We’re Waiting: For the Buckeyes game Monday Night
September 7, 2015Carve the Hokies: Ohio State – Virginia Tech Preview
September 7, 2015Despite much better play in August that has continued into September, the Cleveland Indians have struggled to move above the .500 mark on the season. However, due to a weaker than usual American League Wild Card field, the Indians have been able to remain lurking just behind the other contenders.
After winning two of three against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit, the Indians (66-69) were able to move back within five games of the Texas Rangers as they creep back towards having as many wins as losses on the season. The hope is that after the team breaks through the water’s surface of .500, they would then be able to go into a winning frenzy and rip through enough wins to devour the teams in front of them.
You know, sort of like this:
Friday, Indians 8, Tigers 1
Josh Tomlin (W, 4-3) 9.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 SO
Kyle Lobstein (L, 3-6) 4.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 SO
Corey Kluber was supposed to start on Friday. A hamstring injury kept him out of the contest, but the final line sure looked like typical Kluber. Josh Tomlin went rogue and filled in with an efficient complete game that set the tone for the series. Tomlin just kept pitching around Comerica until there were no more outs to obtain. The Little Cowboy frustrated the Tigers lineup and induced weak contact as fly balls went to each part of the ballpark, but remained inside the fences as he did not need a bigger boat.
So, he didn’t know it at the time, but Jerry Sand’s third inning two-run home run delivered the game-winning RBIs. Then, in the fifth, seven Indians reached base safely to put four more runs on the board including a run-scoring hit-by-pitch and walk (a specialty of the 2015 Cleveland Indians) to cut the Tigers open spilling their insides out all over the dock.
By the time Lonnie Chisenhall hit his two-run double in the seventh to complete the scoring for a 8-1 Indians win, the game was no longer in doubt.
Saturday, Indians 0, Tigers 6
Danny Salazar (L, 12-8) 3.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 1 SO
Alfredo Simon (W, 12-9) 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 5 SO
Alfredo Simon, Alex Wilson, and Bruce Rondon combined for a three-hit shutout. Michael Brantley, Jerry Sands, and Michael Martinez (pinch-hitting) were the Indians able to record hits on Saturday. Despite the meager results, the Indians would have three opportunities with runners in scoring position, which included the first inning when Francisco Lindor walked and stole second base. However, each time, the Tigers would get the needed out.
Conversely, Danny Salazar just was not sharp and after giving up a run in the second, he allowed J.D. Martinez to crush a home run in the third. But, it was the fourth inning where Salazar came completely undone. Those Tigers swallowed him whole. Little shakin’, little tenderizin’, an’ down he went. It was not pleasant and by the end of the carnage, it was 6-0 in favor of the Tigers, which would hold up on the day.
Sunday, Indians 4, Tigers 0
Cody Anderson (W, 3-3) 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 SO
Justin Verlander (L, 3-7) 7.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 SO
The game started slowly offensively. The first hit, for either team, came in the bottom of the fourth. And, it was on a bunt single by the Tigers Dixon Machado, which was followed by a double play. Abraham Almonte put up a hit for the Indians in the following half inning with a triple, but there were two outs and Jose Ramirez could not drive him in.
It was the sixth inning where the action came. Michael Martinez singled, Jason Kipnis reached on an infield single, then Francisco Lindor came to bat. Increasing his chances at the AL Rookie of the Year Award daily, Lindor cleared the bases with a triple. Carlos Santana would knock in Lindor as well, and the Indians had a 3-0 lead.
Anderson, Bryan Shaw, and Cody Allen would combine to keep the Tigers with a shutout. They found that a Tiger hitter’s like a garbage can, it’ll swing at anything. But, they didn’t complete the game until after the Indians added an insurance run in the ninth. Abraham Almonte singled, then moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Michael Martinez continued demonstrated he deserved his MLB chance by hitting Almonte in for that last run to complete the 4-0 final score.
Farewell and adieu to you, fair Tigers. Farewell and adieu, you Tigers of Detroit. For we’ve received orders for to fly back to Cleveland. And so nevermore shall we see you again (until Thursday when the Tigers come to Cleveland).
4 Comments
Get some indians
my mate’s mother makes $98 consistently on the PC………After earning an average of 19952 Dollars monthly,I’m finally getting 98 Dollars an hour,just working 4-5 hours daily online….It’s time to take some action and you can join it too.It is simple,dedicated and easy way to get rich.Three weeks from now you will wishyou have started today – I promise!….HERE I STARTED-TAKE A LOOK AT…..evq…….
➤➤➤➤ https://googlehomejobsnetworkhubonline/earn/$98/hour…. ⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛⚛
What is our record in the central now? I can’t find it easily or quickly.
Sorry, did not see this comment earlier. The Indians are now 22-33 in the AL Central.
ESPN does the versus Division standings:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings/_/view/vs-division
For versus a specific team, baseball-reference is the spot:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2015-schedule-scores.shtml
There you will find that the Indians are 7-9 against the CWS after winning 2 of 3.
And, we are 5-10 against Detroit entering this 4-game weekend series.