Zach McAllister’s first start of the season didn’t go too well. Although the Indians ended up winning the game, McAllister gave up 3 runs to the A’s in four innings, bloating his ERA to 6.75. What a difference a week makes.
McAllister started the first game of today’s doubleheader and he was fast and efficient in shutting down the Padres. He went 7.2 innings, giving up 5 scattered hits, no runs, no walks, and striking out 7. This is exactly the kind of performance the Indians needed from him. Correction, this is exactly the type of performance the Indians will need from him all season. So much has been made about the loss of Jimenez and Kazmir and the combined 340 innings they pitched in 2013. McAllister certainly stepped up this afternoon to start filling that void. Long way to go, but he showed good control for early April. It bodes well.
Offensively, the Indians bats were kind of subdued, with 5 hits and 3 walks. One thing they keep doing and did again today was capitalizing on their opponents’ mistakes. The Tribe’s only runs came on a two-run dinger by Jason Kipnis in the 6th inning. It would have been a solo shot if not for a throwing error by the Padres that put Nick Swisher on base. They ended up not needing the extra run, but a little bit of insurance is always a good thing. Indians win 2-0.
Okay, the second game of the doubleheader is in progress. Trevor Bauer has been called up to make the start. They need to go for the sweep.