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Daniel McCutchen threw 96 pitches (62 strikes) in his 10th start for the Indians. �He gave up two hits and a walk over the first four scoreless innings. �The game began with Bulls’ CF Fernando Perez lining a single into center field. �After a pop out by RF Matt Joyce, Perez stole second base. �Justin Ruggiano ran the count to 2-2, plus an extra foul ball, then he swung at strike three as Perez took off for third base. �Erik Kratz fired down to third base, where 3B Brian Myrow made the tag, for a strikeout-throw out double play (see photo at top of the post).
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McCutchen retired the Bulls in order in the 2nd. �He gave up a line drive single into center field to SS Omar Luna with two outs in the 3rd inning, then struck out Perez to end the inning. �Matt Joyce led off the 4th inning with a walk, but Erik Kratz cut him down also, as he tried to steal second base.
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The Bulls scored their first run in the 5th. �Joe Dillon opened the inning with a double rocketed into the right field corner, and former Indy Indian (2006) 1B Chris Richard singled into right field also, giving the Bulls runners on the corners. �McCutchen got C Alvin Colina to ground to short, where Argenis Diaz started a 6-4-3 (Diaz to Jim Negrych to Steve Pearce) double play. �Dillon scored from third base on the play, but at the time, it made sense for the Indians to trade the run for two outs.
(Photo: �Jim Negrych turns the double play as Chris Richard is out at second base.)
DH Jose Lobaton also singled after the double play, but McCutchen struck out Omar Luna to end the inning. �One run didn’t seem like it was going to be a problem for the Indians.
The Bulls added another run in the 6th, when Matt Joyce blasted a solo home run to the sidewalk behind the grass berm in right field. �McCutchen retired the next two batters, and that was the end of his night.
Unfortunately, the Indians could not answer those two runs. �The bullpen kept the lead from getting bigger. �Vinnie Chulk pitched the 8th inning. �He gave up an infield single to Omar Luna, when 3B Brian Myrow bobbled a back-hand catch of a short grounder. �Chulk got Fernando Perez to ground to third also, where Brian Myrow fielded this one cleanly. �His throw to second base was in time to force out Luna, but the speedy Perez beat out the relay throw to first base, avoiding the double play. �No matter, as Chulk got Matt Joyce to fly out.
Wil Ledezma had to work out of a jam in the top of the 9th. �He walked Justin Ruggiano, then 3B Dan Johnson took a long fly ball to the wall in center field. �Tribe CF Jonathan Van Every ran all the way back to the wall and made the leap, catching his spike on the surface of the padding and tearing it — but the ball eluded him, and it was a double for Johnson. �That put two Durham runners in scoring position. �No problem — Ledezma simply struck out the next three batters to end the inning.
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Photos: �Steve Pearce at first, and Brian Myrow at third
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Pearce at the plate; � Perez avoids Negrych’s tag at second base in the 1st inning
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Indians’ Hitting Gem of the Game: �Well, only one choice — Jonathan Van Every’s line drive into right field, the Tribe’s only hit of the game.
Indians’ Defensive Gem of the Game: �Three strikeouts by Wil Ledezma with two runners in scoring position in the top of the 9th. �He kept the Bulls from scoring again, giving the Indians one last hope in the bottom of the inning.
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NOTES:
Ankle issues: � Steve Pearce is wearing a barely-visible brace on his right ankle. �I’d heard that he was looking good, and it’s true. �Pearce does not seem to be in any way hampered by his ankle injury, and if you hadn’t been told about it, you would not be able to guess that the ankle is why he’s here on rehab.
Another ankle problem: �C Luke Carlin, who was sent sprawling backwards while blocking the plate yesterday in Buffalo, left the game a half-inning later. �He limped off the field, but no word had been available about his injury. �Today, the Indians report that he has also injured his ankle, which was twisted as he was thrown backwards. �The ankle is taped, and though Carlin was in the dugout tonight, he was still moving around awkwardly.
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Go Indians!
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(photos by Nancy)
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