By Jared Edwards
In a well matched pitchers duel, Cleveland’s ace Shane Bieber was just a bit better than the Twins’ Rich Hill as the Indians got a much needed victory over the Twins Tuesday night 4-2.
Bieber, in a game where he was not at his best, managed to give the Indians a chance by holding the potent Minnesota lineup to only two runs over six innings while giving up four hits, three walks, and striking out 10. The win makes Bieber a perfect 6-0 on the season.
Cleveland started the scoring in the bottom of the first when Jose Ramirez lined a single to left then stole second and third. Carlos Santana delivered a two out base knock to drive home Ramirez and give the Indians a 1-0 lead.
That lead would be short-lived. Bieber struggled in the second walking two of the first three hitters then giving up a double to Twin’s second baseman Luis Arraez which would bring home Miguel Sano who was one of the walks and tie the game at one. Minnesota would add another run on a single from Max Kepler that would drive in Arraez and put the Twins on top 2-1.
That is where the score would stay until the bottom of the sixth. Minnesota would go tho the bullpen and bring in Jorge Alcala to replace Hill.
This move would prove fruitful for the Tribe as Ramirez would bloop a single into right field. Francisco Lindor would crush a hanging slider 10 rows up into the right field stands giving the Indians back the lead at 3-2.
Lindor was clearly fired up by this hit because as soon as he hit it, he stared back into the Indians’third base dugout and let out a scream to fire up his teammates. In what was undoubtedly his biggest hit of the season it was good to see a glimpse of Lindor from years past.
Lindor’s enthusiasm worked as Santana would add to his league leading walks total and would be driven home on a bullet down the right field line by pinch hitter Tyler Naquin extending the lead to 4-2.
The Tribe bullpen would hold Minnesota at two runs as Brad Hand would come out and work a perfect ninth to earn his eighth save of the season.
I am hoping that the home run and display of enthusiasm from Lindor will help this team break out of their slump and lead to good things moving forward.
To add to the rubber match tomorrow, Cleveland has recalled Mike Clevinger from Lake County to start his first game since breaking team protocol with teammate Zach Plesac in Chicago.
Clevinger has a chance to prove his worth and dedication to this team by coming out and shutting down the Twins tomorrow. This of course will be much easier said than done.
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