Thursday night’s Indians-Astros game started out as a good reminder that the baseball season is 162 games long. With such a long season, not every game is going to be memorable, exciting, or even infuriating. Somewhere in the top of the 5th inning, I said to my husband, “Say something amusing. I need something because this game is, um…”
“Snoozy?” he replied.
“Yes.”
The Indians scored in the top of the first when Nick Swisher doubled and then scored on a Jason Kipnis single (cheered on by the dear husband, who yelled, “Come on, you old fart! Run!” as Swisher was waved home.) The Astros scored 1 in the top of the 2nd, and that was pretty much the ballgame for the next 9 innings. Yes, like Nigel Tufnel’s amplifier, this one went to 11.
Things looked up for the Tribe in the 8th inning, when Swisher and Kipnis both singled and we had runners in scoring position for the first time in ages (or since the 4th inning). A couple of strike outs later, and we were going into the 9th with the score still tied 1-1. Like most Tribe wins, this one was a team effort. Singles by Yan Gomes and Asdrubal Cabrera and a walk by Mike Aviles loaded the bases in the 11th. Then Matt Carson came up with two outs and singled home the winning run, much to the delight of tired Tribe fans everywhere.
Some general impressions from this game:
- The redemption of Ubaldo Jimenez continues. He went 7 innings, gave up 1 earned run, 0 walks (that’s zero), and had 9 strikeouts. And even into the 7th, he was throwing in the mid-90s and getting first pitch strikes. If we do make it to wild card, I’d be comfortable having him make the start in the one-game playoff.
- We’ can only make it to the playoffs if we win games, and we can only win games if we score runs. The offense continues to be underwhelming. The Indians had base runners in all but the 5th and 10th innings. When you get 12 hits and still only score 2 runs, there’s a problem. We won’t always be able to hold the opposing team to 1 run.
- You can’t say Nick Swisher didn’t do his part. He went 4-4.
- Aside from Matt Carson’s game-winning single, my favorite moment came in the 5th, when a grandmotherly woman made a great catch of a foul ball and did this adorable jumping up and down happy dance. Her unmitigated joy was a delight to see. It’s part of what being a baseball fan is all about. It doesn’t matter if it’s a good game, a bad game, or a boring game–catching a foul ball can still make you jump for joy.
As much “poop” we’ve dished on Ubaldo and Swisher this year (not saying it wasn’t warranted at times, of course) I am grateful as an Indians fan that they are really rising to the occasion at the most needed of times. I’m still floored by Ubaldo’s transformation from “Alcoholic-Creater” to legitimate top of the rotation starter. Stunning. Very happy for Swisher, who obviously spent too much time this year trying to play the “hometown boy done good” act and be a hero.
seriously though maybe give matt carson another start. the time he did start he went 3-3 with a home run and another rbi. obviously he only has 9 at bats all season but maybe this guy is for real. gonna be honest, i would rather have him playing than stubbs right now
My nephew and I were at the game and as we were walking to the car he said “That was a pretty exciting game for a 2-1 score”.I guess it’s all perspective.
Gomes picking Elmore off second after a lead off double was special.He also gunned down a would be base stealer with a laser like throw…impressive.
Jimenez’ fastball was humming tonight he looked like he had a great change up working as well.The only run they scored was courtesy of consecutive duck snort hits and a sacrifice fly.
And that was a screaming foul liner just to the side of the screen that the lady made a sterling catch on!She twice got a nice round of applause from the 12,000 plus multitude that attended a “game that matters”.
Glad to hear that woman got a round of applause for that catch. Her happy dance really was adorable. I’d probably do the same thing (except I’ve never caught a foul ball. I keep hoping.)
I didn’t have the fortitude to last the whole game and gave up in the 9th. Glad they won but why is the offense on vacation? And I caught Dave Duncan’s foul ball in the old Stadium. I still have it.
Great game, I hope we don’t have any more “good” ones like that. Hopefully the Tribe can step up and blow out the rest. If we want to have a chance in the playoffs, we need to get hot and build some momentum.
I will admit, I did question Francona on his decision to pull Swish out when he was batting 4-4.
So did I. Still think it was a bad move.
I hope Ubaldo gets the ball for the Wild Card game. Yes, I am looking ahead, as I feel confident about this team’s ability to win. Much moreso than any other year. Still, I get nervous every time Perez gets the ball in a close game; a-la-Bob Wickman. I’d rather see someone like Cody Allen or Joe Smith in there. Perez seems to not have that FIRE that we need from a closer. Even Bryan Shaw gets after it when he’s in there.
I can’t believe I can say it, but Ubaldo has been great. It’s nice to see such a turn around. Usually, they wait until they leave the Tribe to do this.
Now what do the Indians do with him? Certainly they want to exercise his option, but will Ubaldo?
If he doesn’t want to exercise the option I would offer him 2 years, 10 million. No more.
12 Million*
I believe his option next year is for $8 million. I can’t see him turning that down to sign a 2 year deal for $6 mill a year.
I too though am hesitant to offer him a multi-year contract. His comeback is a great story, but I could see him just as easily revert to 2012 Ubaldo.
it’s a big decision, that’s for sure. But some team will offer him multiple years and bigger dollars than his option.
Player of the game was definetely Gomes. He was awesome