The Tribe scored their two runs in the 6th inning. �Brandon Moss led off the inning with the first and only walk that Buffalo starter Pat Misch issued in the game. �Moss stole second base, getting a good jump and sliding in well ahead of the throw. �That brought up Jim Negrych, who took a 2-1 pitch over the wall in the right-center field alley for a 2-run home run in front of his hometown crowd. �Jeff Clement singled after the homer, but was left on base.
That was all the scoring in the game. �Negrych singled again in the 8th, on a line drive into left field, but he was erased when C Erik Kratz popped out to first base, and Negrych couldn’t get back to the bag in time.
Anthony Claggett relieved Hayden Penn to begin the 7th inning. �Claggett pitched a 1-2-3 inning, including a strikeout. �Wil Ledezma pitched a perfect 8th. �Jean Machi earned his 10th save with a scoreless 9th inning, allowing one walk. �That gave the Indians’ pitchers 18 consecutive batters retired.
Indians’ Hitting Gem of the Game: �Jim Negrych’s second home run with the Tribe, this one a game-winner. �Like he did after his first home run, Negrych didn’t believe that the blast was going out of the park, and he continued to insist that he does not hit home runs. �”I just try to stay with my approach, and do what it is I do. �If the ball leaves the park, it leaves the park.” �He was clearly having fun playing at home.
Indians’ Defensive Gems of the Game: �In the 2nd, RF Brandon Moss, 2B Jim Negrych, and 3B Doug Bernier combined to prevent Buffalo’s Lucas Duda from stretching a double into a triple, when they threw him out at third base. �Erasing him meant that no run was forced in when three more batters reached base in the inning. �In the 9th inning, Duda again tried to spoil the Indians’ and Negrych’s night. �He grounded sharply between first and second bases, heading for the outfield. �But Negrych made a flat-out dive to his right, his glove-side, to snag the ball, then hopped up and fired to first base, to get Duda out.
�
NOTES:
Pedro Alvarez’s roster spot on the Indians has not been filled yet. �It’s possible that the Pirates are waiting to see what will happen with Aki Iwamura — if they will be able to trade him (not likely) or have someone claim him off waivers (hmm, probably not), and if he will accept an assignment to Indianapolis.
�
Go Tribe!
�
(photos by Nancy)
�
