After an eventful day of trades that concluded at 4 PM eastern, the Indians suited up for a 7:05 contest against the Mariners. In an effort to uphold the theory that momentum is only as good as the following day’s starting pitcher, both Zach McAllister and Chris Young disappointed in comparison to last night’s starters, Corey Kluber and Felix Hernandez. Just two runs were scored last night, a total eclipsed a few times over in tonight’s contest.
The Indians struck first when Michael Brantley singled to centerfield, scoring Jason Kipnis. The Mariners answered in the following frame when a Logan Morrison sac fly scored Kendrys Morales. By the third inning, the scoring started to pick up as McAllister was hit hard, allowing three runs on four hits in that inning alone. First, Dustin Ackley drove a ball over the wall in right to make the score 3-1. Then, Robinson Cano (don’cha know) hit an RBI double to left field, extending the Seattle lead to three runs at 4-1.
In the home half of the third inning, the Indians fought back, tying the score courtesy of a Kipnis 2-run homer and Carlos Santana sacrifice fly. That score stood through the seventh inning stretch, though not without some drama, as Terry Francona went to his bullpen after just ten outs. Young lasted a bit longer for Seattle, but both starters combined couldn’t even get through nine innings, the feat Kluber accomplished last night.
In the seventh, Santana broke the tie by beating the shift on a single to left center against Danny Farquhar. The ensuing batter, Lonnie Chisenhall, hit a line drive at Farquhar that knocked the righty out of the ballgame. Joe Beimel tried to make the game more dramatic by walking Nick Swisher, but he ended the inning without allowing the Tribe to add to their lead.
In the 8th, Bryan Shaw started to show some signs of fatigue from overuse, walking Kyle Seager before allowing a Mike Zunino homer, giving Seattle a 6-5 lead. Shaw got the next two batters out, but the damage had already been done as he allowed his fourth homer of the season. Unfortunately, the Indians could not respond in the bottom half of the inning, entering the 9th in search of a walkoff.
Fernando Rodney and all of his arrow shooting, sideways hat wearing greatness entered the 9th in search of his 30th save on the season. Rodney got the first two outs easily before allowing a Santana single up the middle. That brought the winning run to the plate in Chisenhall, who Rodney made quick work of, allowing for an anti-climactic ending to the final game in July.
Beimel got the win; he improves to 3-1. Rodney got the save, his 30th. Shaw took the loss, falling to 4-3. The Tribe are back at it tomorrow night at 7:05 for the opener of a three game weekend series against the Rangers. T.J. House is scheduled to take the hill for the Indians while Jerome Williams is the scheduled starter for Texas. Tomorrow’s game features dollar dogs and fireworks set to the hits of 1994. Maybe some Ace of Base will help the Tribe win tomorrow night.
if we don’t make the WC it’ll be winnable series like these that did us in
It’s going to be an interesting offseason, based largely on the question mark that is the starting rotation in general. Kluber and Bauer are locks of course, but it would be interesting to know what the Indians brain trust really thinks of McAllister, Salazar, House, Tomlin… While I feel comfortable with Tomlin as the #5 starter, I’m not sure about the rotation beyond Kluber at #1, Bauer and Tomlin at #5.
I actually think that Tomlin has outperformed Bauer this year. Especially earlier this year, that was most definitely the case. And let’s not forget Tomlin’s 1-hit shutout just a mere month ago–that’s not the work of a #5 starter.
I think Tomlin is as good as he’s going to be, while Bauer has room to continue to improve. Bauer’s stuff is right there with Kluber’s, his continued improvement depends on his ability to consistently command it.
I love Tomlin as much as anyone, but his entire body of work is definitely that of a 4 or 5 starter. His shutout was a once in a career type performance, let’s not give him long term credit for that. What I love about Tomlin is how rarely he’s bounced early, and that’s huge asset at the back end of the rotation.