This was one of those wins that would have really felt crummy as a loss.
I apologize for the Yogi Berra-esque quote; it’s really the best I can come up with after sitting in the chilly Cleveland air until almost midnight with a sinus and double ear infection. Tonight’s game was so full of frustrating missed opportunities and rally-killing double plays, I was completely convinced it would come back to bite the Indians. In the end, the walk-off walk (I finally get to say it!) handed them their fourth straight home win in their last at bat and their 14th straight home win overall. For those of you keeping score at home, the Indians’ 14-2 home start is the first time they’ve held this record in the team’s 111 year history.
The scoreboard following the game
First off – this game started with a lengthy, odd rain delay. Odd in the sense that it did not start to rain until about 7:40 p.m., and even then it was nothing serious. I guess the major anticipated thunderstorms managed to skirt past the ballpark (I did see some nasty lightning on my drive to Progressive Field). Susan and I sat around and twiddled our thumbs until they finally pulled the tarp and started the game at 8:40 p.m.
While the Indians jumped out to an early lead on Grady Sizemore’s solo home run, and added a second run with Michael Brantley’s solo shot in the fourth inning, they had trouble getting runs home throughout the game. The Indians grounded into three double plays – Santana in the first inning, Sizemore in the fourth inning, and Brantley in the seventh inning. They were only 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position. When the Indians started the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and nobody out, I was honestly a little afraid Tampa Bay would still manage to escape unscathed. While it wasn’t exactly pretty, a win still counts as a win, no matter how you earn that W.
On a side note – the Rally Cows were able to redeem themselves for their shameful performance in Anaheim on Sunday. While the Indians are 14-2 at home, the Rally Cows are undefeated thus far. The only two home games I’ve attended, that they did not attend, were the first two of the season against Chicago. Since I guess I’m pretty superstitious, they will continue to attend home games with me.
The Rally Cows managed to redeem themselves in Cleveland as the Indians won their 14th straight home game
I couldn’t agree with you more. I kept thinking, if they lose this game, after having how many base runners via walk, after going ahead 3 times and one of those a 2 run lead……This would’ve been a bad game to lose.
Tomlin pitched great again last night…..and the bullpen looked solid. This is shaping up to a very memorable summer. Lebron who?
I keep forgetting about all of those walks…the Indians really should’ve been able to burn Tampa Bay on those. Tomlin and the bullpen were solid though – it’s a fun team to watch!