Meanwhile, the Tribe batters were attacking Bats’ starter Matt Klinker one run at a time.� Like Bats’ lead-off batter Sappelt, LF Kevin Melillo (photo) led off the bottom of the 1st with a double off the right field wall.� After two outs, Brandon Moss added to his RBI total (#94) with a tremendous blast to the base of the wall at the 418′ sign in the left-center field alley for a triple, scoring Melillo to give the Indians a 1-0 lead.
Klinker retired the Tribe in order in the 2nd, then got out of a small jam in the 3rd with a double play.� Kevin Melillo again started a rally with a single grounded up the middle, then he stole second base.� Aki Iwamura walked, but CF Alex Presley bounced to short, for the beginning of an inning-ending double play.
The 4th inning began with a walk to Brandon Moss (no RBI chance there).� He also stole second base.� After a strikeout and an amazing over-the-shoulder catch of Pedro Ciriaco’s pop up by his counterpart Zach Cozart, Jason Jaramillo was hit by a pitch.� Brian Friday drove in Moss from second base with a booming double off the top of the left field scoreboard, missing a home run by less than a foot.� The Tribe had two runners in scoring position, but Jeremy Powell struck out, ending the rally.� The Indians had a 2-0 lead.
They added another run in the 5th.� Aki Iwamura (photo) drove another double into the left-center field alley, also aiming for the 418′ sign.� Alex Presley moved Iwamura on to third base with a line drive single into right field.� Brandon Moss picked up RBI # 95 with a sacrifice fly.
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Pedro Ciriaco chased Matt Klinker from the game with his one-out double down the left field line in the 6th inning.� Klinker was still responsible for Ciriaco, though, and was charged with the run when Brian Friday collected his second RBI of the game with a short line drive into left field.� Ciriaco had moved to third base on Jason Jaramillo’s ground out, and scored on Friday’s hit off reliever Enerio Del Rosario.
Alex Presley singled again in the 7th, when he beat out the throw from 1B Todd Frazier to Del Rosario on a grounder wide of first base.� That sent Del Rosario to the showers and brought in Joe Krebs.� Krebs finished the 7th, then came back out for the 8th inning.� The Indians loaded the bases against Krebs, with back-to-back singles by Pedro Ciriaco and Jason Jaramillo and a walk by Brian Friday.� Doug Bernier came on to pinch-hit, but he grounded into a double play that began with a diving stop by 2B Kris Negron and a flip made from the prone position over to SS Zach Cozart at second base.
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After Jeremy Powell’s night ended, three Tribe relief pitchers each took a turn pitching one inning to finish off the Bats.� Justin Thomas pitched the 7th inning, allowing a triple to Wilkin Castillo, who had entered the game in a double-switch.� Castillo’s ball bounced on the left field chalk line, then continued into the Indians’ bullpen and under the bench.� LF Kevin Melillo had to get down on his hands and knees and crawl under the bench to retrieve the ball, and by then Castillo had easily reached third base.� A ground out to third base ended the inning.
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Steven Jackson was next out of the bullpen to take the 8th.� He also gave up one hit, though it was less dramatic — a bloopy single by Danny Dorn — but worked around it to keep the Bats from scoring again.� Jean Machi (photo) pitched the 9th inning and earned his 22nd save of the season.� He allowed a double down the right field line by Kris Negron, but struck out two batters, including Wilkin Castillo to end the game.
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Indians’ Hitting Gem of the Game:� Things that came in pairs:� 2 RBI by Brandon Moss; 2 hits by Kevin Melillo, Alex Presley, and Pedro Ciriaco; and 2 hits and 2 RBI by Brian Friday (TGIF!).
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Indians’ Defensive Gem of the Game:� Aki Iwamura ended the 7th inning with a great play on a grounder off the bat of Dave Sappelt, who already had 3 hits in the game.� Iwamura charged in from third to make the scoop of the slow roller, fired across his body to first base, where Mitch Jones stretched out to his full limit to make the catch just barely before the quick Sappelt hit the bag.
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Jeremy Powell and Doug Bernier
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NOTES:
In the pre-game ceremonies, the Indians gave out their end-of-the-year awards (click here for info and photos)
MVP: Brandon Moss
Slugger of the Year:� Erik Kratz
Rookie of the Year: Alex Presley
Starting Pitcher of the Year:� Jeremy Powell
Reliever of the Year:� Jean Machi
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Jeff Clement does in fact have a strained left oblique muscle.� He’s unlikely to be able to play again before the end of the season.
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Go Tribe!
(photos by Nancy)
