Twins at Indians Game #156 In-Game Blog

CLEVELAND – The team two is better than one will be in play today at Progressive Field as the Indians take on the Twins in a traditional doubleheader. Game one is a 4:10pm first pitch, and game two will be approx 30 minutes following to the last out of game one.

To say the Indians are fighting for their playoff lives is an understatement, and a loss in either game today can basically end any thoughts of a playoff run. Even if their win their final six games, they need help across the board as the Twins, Houston and Los Angeles all sit ahead of the Indians, who are five back of the second wild card spot.

Matchup: Indians (77-78) vs Minnesota Twins (81-75) 4:10 at Progressive Field – Game #156 Home Game #75

Pitchers: Indians – Carlos Carrasco (14-11, 3.44) vs Twins – Kyle Gibson (10-11, 3.96)

Media: TV – SportsTime Ohio Radio – WTAM, WMMS, IRN

4:11pm – First pitch was 62 degrees here at Progressive Field as game #156 gets underway with a quick out Brian Dozier to start the matchup.

4:14pm – Joe Mauer crushes a Carrasco pitch into the green just past CF for his 10th homer of the season a full count to make it a quick Twins 1-0 game. 413 feet on the homer.

4:19pm – Carrasco works around the HR to retire the next two batters to get out of the frame with the Twins up 1-0.

4:29pm – Indians get a two-out single from Lindor but Santana grounds out to end the first with the team trailing 1-0.

4:34pm – Yes, if your watching on TV and wondering where everyone is at – Progressive Field is basically empty. It’s not going unnoticed by the media and fans at the game as well.

I think an 8th grade football game has a higher attendance than the Indians game right now. So sad for a 0.500 team

— Brandon Urasek (@burasek10) September 30, 2015

There are exactly 30 people in the bleachers, less than 300 in the ballpark. Another fine showing by the self-proclaimed best fans in sports

— Brian Dulik (@BrianDulik) September 30, 2015

4:38pm – Good inning for Carrasco, who sits at 31 pitches as he gets the Twins 1-2-3.

5:01pm – Indians get another hit with a Kipnis single, but Gibson out of the inning as we’re through three and the Twins lead it 1-0.

5:18pm – Carrasco pulled after allowing a 4 spot in the 4th – from a one-hit outing vs the Royals Friday to not even able to get out 4 out of him today.

5:35pm – Indians finally had some baserunners in the 4th with Francisco Lindor getting a single and steal and Abraham Almonte walked, but Jerry Sands grounded out to end the inning. Gavin Floyd on for the Indians.

5:45pm – Kipnis hits a two-out double in the 5th that actually hits in the bottom of the bullpen mesh and sticks right into it between the padding and mesh. Goes as a ground rule double.

6:09pm – Gavin Floyd remains on for the Tribe, he allows a leadoff double to Eduardo Nunez to start the Twins 7th still up 5-0.

6:17pm – While Tribe bats remain mostly silent, the Twins Byron Buxton hits a bloop single over the head of Kipnis and drives in an RBI. Twins lead 6-0.

6:51pm – The Indians get a run, but as of now are down to their last 6 outs of probably meaningful baseball for the season down 6-1 to the Twins. Casey Fien coming on for Minnesota.

7:10pm – Buxton hits a solo homer and the Twins now lead it 7-1 heading into the 9th inning. Last shot for the Tribe.