(Photos above: Chase d’Arnaud scores the first Indians’ run; former teammates Alex Presley and Luke Carlin)
(Photo: John Bowker)
The Indians could not do anything about that tie score in the next few innings. Kluber retired all but one Tribe batter over the 2nd – 5th innings. D’Arnaud was the only batter to reach base in those 4 innings, with a bloopy single into short left field to lead off the 3rd. He moved to second base on what might have been a double play off the bat of Friday. Friday grounded to third, where 3B Lonnie Chisenhall dropped the ball out of his glove. That meant that he did not have time to get d’Arnaud at second, and had to just take the out on Friday at first. A ground out by Presley moved d’Arnaud to third, but he was left there when Bowker grounded out to first.
It was the Clippers who broke the tie, with 2 runs in the top of the 5th. With two outs, Burres gave up a line drive single into center field. That was followed by a 2-run homer by Carrera, his second of the year, that sailed out just clearing the right field wall, landing in a posse of school kids.
Burres finished his afternoon with a quick 6th inning. Chisenhall led off with a single lined to right. RF Chad Huffman sent a slow roller back to the mound on the first pitch he saw from Burres. Burres had to hurry, but he made the scoop, whirled, and fired to Friday at second base for the force out on Chisenhall. Friday made the relay to Hague at first, just in time to nab Huffman for the double play. Burres ended the inning with a strikeout. In his 6 innings, Burres gave up 3 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks, with 5 strikeouts. He threw an even 100 pitches, with 63 strikes.
Brian Friday and Alex Presley combined for the Indians’ second run, which scored in the bottom of the 6th. Friday led off with a liner ripped down the left field line and into the Indians’ bullpen, under the bench for a double. Presley followed with another liner down the left field line, a little shorter than Friday’s, but long enough for Presley to also reach second base, and for Friday to score. Presley went to third base on a grounder by Bowker. Hague grounded to third base, and Presley was off and running for the plate, but he was easily tagged by Carlin on the throw from Chisenhall.
Kluber pitched one more inning, then relievers Carlton Smith and Josh Judy took an inning each. The kept the Indians scoreless for the last three innings of the game. The only Tribe batter to reach base in those innings was Harrison, who walked with 2 outs in the 9th.
Blaine Boyer (photo) came on in relief of Burres, to begin the 7th inning. Boyer began by running the count full on Head, then after Head fouled four more pitches, Head took a walk. Boyer got a line out, then Head stole second base, then moved to third on a ground out. That brought up Valbuena, who lifted a long fly ball to center field, over the head of CF Gorkys Hernandez. It bounced off the wall for an RBI double, as Head scored easily from third. Carrera grounded to first, and Hague made the scoop, but then dropped the ball. He recovered quickly, and flipped the ball to Boyer, who came over to cover, but the speedy Carrera beat the ball and Boyer to the bag.
Boyer was relieved by Tony Watson, who began by giving up a line drive single to Phelps, bringing in Valbuena with an unearned run. A tapper back to the mound ended the inning.
Watson went on to retire the Clippers in order in the 8th. Dan Meyer took the mound for the 9th, and he also pitched a 1-2-3 inning.
A few more photos:
Tony Watson…………………………Dan Meyer
Matt Hague makes the scoop….. and tosses to Meyer for the first out in the 9th.
Brad Lincoln coaching first base…………. Alex Presley, Gorkys Hernandez, and John Bowker in the outfield
.Jason Jaramillo…………….infielders Josh Harrison, Chase d’Arnaud, Matt Hague, and Brian Friday
A matched set: Chase d’Arnaud and Alex Presley
Andrew Lambo was also coaching first base………. Chase d’Arnaud takes a pitch
Indians’ Hitting Gem of the Game: A pair of doubles down th
e left field line by Brian Friday and Alex Presley in the 6th inning, scoring the Tribe’s second run (photo, Friday scoring).
Indians’ Defensive Gem of the Game: The double play started by pitcher Brian Burres in the 6th inning, on Chad Huffman, going 1-4-6.
NOTES:
Pitcher Garrett Olson was placed on the Disabled List due to his strained oblique muscle. That opened up a roster spot, which was filled by bringing reliever Chris Leroux back from Altoona.
Reliever Evan Meek is expected to make another rehab appearance on Tuesday.
Go Tribe!
(photos by Nancy)
