Trevor Bauer pitched a gem on Monday night, allowing just three hits and no earned runs as the Indians beat the White Sox 6-2.
Before the skies opened up in a downpour Monday night, the Indians had already built a 6-0 lead off a strong outing from Trevor Bauer. Even though Bauer did not return after the 35-minute rain delay, the Indians were able to hold on and beat the White Sox 6-2 thanks to big nights from Roberto Perez and Jason Kipnis.
Bauer made it through seven innings, and was at 100 pitches when the rain started to fall. He had only allowed three hits and no earned runs, walking two and striking out eight. Thanks to his early exit, Bauer broke his streak of games with double-digit strike-outs; in his four starts prior to Monday, he struck out 13, 11, 12, and 12. Perhaps the rain was a good thing when you think about it. As David mentioned in reference to last Monday’s game against the White Sox, there has to be concerns about pushing starters to high pitch counts during the first half of the season. (Knowing that it can take a toll on a pitcher’s arm later in the season). Bauer is the one person where high pitch counts do not bother me; I think his regimen allows for some durability. However, why take that chance when you’re up 6-0 against a team that’s 20 games below .500? Thanks to the rain, Terry Francona wasn’t tempted to leave Bauer in with the goal of keeping his strikeout streak alive.
Even though the Indians still stranded 11 on base, they were 4-for-13 with runners in scoring position, an improvement over some of their outings in the past week. There were definitely missed opportunities, but the Tribe did chip away at Chicago starter Dylan Covey. In the second inning the Indians loaded the bases with nobody out, thanks a couple of singles and an error from White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada. As Roberto Perez came to the plate, I groaned. I’ve been a big fan of his for several years, but he’s been pretty brutal to watch this season (both at the plate, and more surprisingly, defensively). However, he launched a ball to right field that actually got stuck in the outfield wall’s padding for a ground-rule double. Two runners scored on the play, which left runners at second and third with nobody out. Francisco Lindor hit a sacrifice fly to score a third run, but unfortunately that’s all the Indians’ offense could muster that inning. It was encouraging to see solid production from the bottom of the lineup though.
And speaking of Perez, he also had a good defensive play Monday evening. After Yoan Moncada singled to start the game, Perez threw him out trying to steal second in a strike-him-out, throw-him-out double play as Yolmer Sanchez whiffed at the plate. I was honestly starting to wonder if his throwing issues had gotten into his head, a case of the yips when it came to throwing to second. Monday’s game felt like something he could build upon moving forward. At the plate he finished the night with two doubles (2-for-3 overall) and two RBI.
Jason Kipnis was responsible for two runs during Monday’s game, earning an RBI on a single, and then later hitting a solo home run to right center field (he went 3-for-4 overall). The Indians’ final run scored when Covey walked Lonnie Chisenhall with the bases loaded.
The only dim spot tonight (other than some missed offensive opportunities) came from the bullpen (huge shock). Evan Marshall, recently called back up from Columbus, had an ugly eighth inning. He struck out Charlie Tilson, then hit Adam Engel with a pitch and gave up back-to-back singles by Yoan Moncada and Yolmer Sanchez, allowing Engel to score Chicago’s first run. When pitching to Jose Abreu, Marshall seemed to pull up in serious pain; the Indians later said that he left the game with right elbow soreness. Neil Ramirez entered, and got Abreu to pop out to short, and Daniel Palka to pop out to second to end the inning. Ramirez is quickly taking over Bryan Shaw’s spot as “pitcher you can expect to see in almost every single game.”
Dan Otero surrendered a solo home run to Matt Davidson, which allowed for the final score of 6-2. Since it was a decent inning from Otero other than the homer, you could chalk it up as one bad pitch (and it was a pretty bad pitch). Otero has had a strange season so far, and has had some truly bad performances. Even though he’s been far better when facing right-handed hitters (.682 OPS) versus left-handed hitters (.935 OPS), he’s surrendered the majority of his home runs to right-handed hitters.
So the Indians start the series against the White Sox on a high note, and will hopefully be able to continue rolling. Mike Clevinger will take the mound for the Indians on Tuesday night, while Carlos Rodon will start for Chicago. The Indians have struggled against Rodon throughout his career, so hopefully they can find a way to get to him and maintain their small winning streak.