I spent this weekend entertaining guests from out of state. Yesterday, as Clevelanders are obliged to do by law, I took my guests to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Later in the weekend, a great rock concert was sandwiched in between meals at two of my favorite restaurants. The last item on the agenda was go to to today’s Indians game, the first major league game ever for one of my adult guests.

After some chilly, rainy weather on Saturday, and a disappointing performance by the Indians as well, my guests and I were gratified to receive cooperation from both Mother Nature and the Tribe today, as the Indians beat the Angels 4-0 underneath sunny, warm-enough-for-April skies.

The Indians got another strong outing from starting pitcher Derek Lowe, who went 7⅔ innings, allowing only three hits and two walks. Although Lowe struck out only one Angels batter, his command was sharp. But he seemed to falter in the eighth inning, when, with two outs, he walked Maicer Izturis and then gave up a single to Chris Iannetta, advancing Izturis to third. Vinnie Pestano came on to pitch and made things tense by walking Mike Trout, loading the bases. Fortunately, Pestano bore down on the next batter, Howard Kendrick, who struck out swinging. Chris Perez pitched the ninth inning, striking out two in a non-save situation.

Angels pitcher Ervin Santana, who pitched a no-hitter in his last appearance at Progressive Field, wasn’t as sharp as Lowe, but the Indians couldn’t score off him until the fifth inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Asdrubal Cabrera hit a routine fly ball to right center field. As right fielder Torii Hunter got ready to make the catch, the Indians fans near us in our bleacher seats yelled “Drop it! Drop it!” That almost never happens, especially to nine-time Golden Glove winner Hunter, but the same sun that kept my guests and me warm also shone in Hunter’s eyes. Looking up into the sun, Hunter never touched the ball, and it fell to his feet, allowing baserunners Aaron Cunningham and Michael Brantley to score. The Indians tacked on two more runs in the eighth, thanks in large part to a throwing error by Angels reliever Kevin Jepsen.

I’m glad I picked today to attend my first game at Progressive Field this year. The company, the weather, and the Indians all cooperated to make the day a most enjoyable one. So now I’m one for one at Progressive Field this season, and my friend Melinda has never seen the Indians lose a game!

2 Comments