The Tribe threatened in the top of the 6th. Hague led off with a double down the left field line and into the corner, and Marte walked. With two outs, Ciriaco slipped a single through the hole and into left field, and Hague rounded third and headed for the plate. Hague might have scored if he’d slid in to the plate, but he didn’t slide, and C Miller was able to block the plate enough to give him the chance to reach around and make the tag. CF Corey Wimberly (photo) doubled off the right field wall in the 7th inning, but was thrown out trying to steal third base, and the score remained tied.
Sean Gallagher finished his start with a 1-2-3 inning in the 6th. He had allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits in his 6 innings, with 2 walks and 7 strikeouts. He did it with 88 pitches, 60 of which were strikes. He was relieved by Chris Leroux to begin the 7th. Leroux got through the bottom of the 7th allowing just a walk.
The Indians broke the tie in the top of the 8th. Carroll had been relieved by Matt Klinker, and with one out, he gave up a walk to Hague, then a single lined into left field by Lambo. Marte also walked to load the bases with one out. Jaramillo grounded to first, as Hague scored, leaving two runners in scoring position. That brought up Ciriaco, who put the game into the Tribe’s pocket with his blast over the left field wall for a 3-run homer and a 7-3 lead.
The Bats scored one run in the bottom of the 8th, on a double by Alonso and an RBI single by 1B Danny Dorn. That run was charged to Leroux. But the Indians were not done yet. With one out in the top of the 9th, d’Arnaud was hit by a pitch, then raced around from first base to score on a double into left field by Presley. That was the first of three consecutive doubles — Hague (photo) brought in Presley with a double into left field, and Lambo brought in Hague with a liner just inside the right field line. That gave the Tribe a total of 10 runs.
Dan Meyer pitched the bottom of the 9th for the Indians, and worked around a lead-off single to finish the game. Leroux earned the win, his first of the season.
Both Ciriaco and Jaramillo had 3 RBI in the game. Wimberly, Hague, and Lambo had 2 hits each. All of the position players but Marte had at least one hit, and Marte walked three times and scored twice.
Indians’ Hitting Gem of the Game: Pedro Ciriaco, boosting his batting average by 80 points with 3 hits, especially the 3-run homer in the 8th. “I was looking for something middle-in, and he threw me one, and I was able to put a good swing on it”, was Ciriaco’s explanation after the game. “I feel pretty good. We got the win tonight, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Indians’ Defensive Gem of the Game: In the bottom of the 4th, the Bats had already scored one unearned run with the help of two fielding errors and a wild pitch. With one out and runners on the corners, Sean Gallagher shut down the rally with back-to-back strikeouts.
NOTES:
The Indians finished this 6-game series with Louisville with 4 wins and 2 losses, though in the Louisville half of the series, they went 2-1. Now they move on to Toledo for 4 games. The weather there is supposed to be kind of dicey for tomorrow.
Go Tribe!
(Photos by Nancy)
