Bradley Zimmer’s two-run home run was one of the few bright spots for the Indians on Monday night
Doug Fister had an ERA north of 7 coming in to Monday night’s game, and had yet to have a good start in 2017. You wouldn’t know it from the way he looked against the Indians, where he shut the Tribe’s offense down completely for 7 innings, before allowing a 2-run homer to Bradley Zimmer in the 8th inning. In his 7 appearances this year, Fister had only lasted more than 5 innings one time; he made it for 7.2 IP tonight. Until the 8th inning, Fister allowed just 3 Indians hits.
After the Indians’ frustrating offensive performance on Sunday, it was irritating to see it run over into a second day. I hate to complain after a 9-game winning streak, but it’s one of the things that drives me nuts about the 2017 Indians. They can look amazing…you’ll think they’re never going to lose again. Then you see some of the most frustrating baseball imaginable, almost as if it’s coming from a different team. Supposedly the Red Sox worked with Fister on some adjustments over the past week. If he has a good outing in his next start, I’ll be a bit more forgiving of tonight’s performance. If not, then the Indians gave him a big boost.
Some sloppy defense from Jose Ramirez in the 2nd inning led to three Boston runs off of Mike Clevinger. Clevinger didn’t have his best stuff tonight, but I don’t think the debacle that inning was entirely his fault. Ramirez was never charged with an error (although he probably should’ve made the play) so the runs were earned. By the end of Clevinger’s 3 innings on the mound, he allowed 5 ER on 7 hits, striking out 2 and walking 4.
Shawn Armstrong allowed Boston’s 6th run in the 7th inning. Between Clevinger and Armstrong, Zach McAllister pitched three scoreless innings in relief. Aside from Zimmer’s home run, McAllister’s performance was one of the few bright spots this evening.
The Royals lost tonight as well, so the Indians don’t lose any ground in the division. While it ultimately was a harmless lost, that doesn’t make it any less frustrating.