The idea of the home run appealed to the Indians, so in the top of the 5th, two Indians homered. �Aki Iwamura (photo) took a long fly ball over the right field wall — his first home run since joining the Indians. �The home run rattled Serrano enough so that he walked the next batter, Jim Negrych, then gave up a second home run, to Jeff Clement. �The Indians had the lead again, 7-4.
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That was the last inning for Serrano, who was responsible for all 7 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks. �Serrano was relieved by Jon Adkins. �Adkins pitched a scoreless 6th inning, then the Indians attacked again in the 7th. �Negrych reached on a fielding error, when his grounder took a high hop over the mound. �2B Wilkin Castillo charged in and tried to field the ball before it bounced again, but instead of making a shoe-top catch, the ball kicked off his glove and headed toward shortstop, and Negrych was safe at first. �Jeff Clement singled through the right side of the infield, moving Negrych to third base. �The Bats changed pitchers, bringing on Philippe Valiquette, who had no better luck. �Brandon Moss was safe on another fielding error, this one by 3B Francisco, and that allowed Negrych to score. �After Alex Presley bounced into a force out at second, but was fast enough to keep it from being a double play, Erik Kratz singled, scoring Clement. �The Indians lead had increased to 9-4.
(photo: �Jeff Clement)
The Indians would turn out to need those insurance runs. �Jeremy Powell pitched 6 innings, and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits, no walks, with 5 strikeouts. �He threw 102 pitches (68 strikes) in his effort. �Danny Moskos took over for Powell to begin the 7th inning, in a double-switch that also replaced Alex Presley with Jonathan Van Every in center field. �Moskos pitched a scoreless 7th inning, allowing only a single to Matthews. �He gave up one run in the 8th, on a single by 1B Todd Frazier, a walk to pinch-hitter Drew Sutton, and an RBI single by Chris Valaika. �Indians still ahead, 9-5.
Jean Machi came on to pitch the bottom of the 9th, and he decided to make things interesting. �With one out, Machi gave up a loud home run to Gary Matthews. �He got a foul pop out for the second out of the inning, but then gave up another home run, to Yonder Alonso. �Luckily both homers, like both of Juan Francisco’s earlier in the game, were solo homers. �Todd Frazier followed the second homer with another long fly ball to right field, looking like it might be another home run — but it bounced near the top of the right field wall and fell for a double. �That brought the score to 9-7 and brought the dangerous Juan Francisco to the plate representing the tying run. �Manager Frank Kremblas walked out to the mound to have a chat with Machi. �Wil Ledezma had hopped up to warm up fast in the bullpen, but he had only just gotten started, and was not even close to being ready. �Machi and Kremblas chatted, and Machi must have said the right things, because Kremblas decided to leave Machi it. �Machi lived up to his word, because he ended the game right there by striking out Francisco.
Jeremy Powell earned the win, his 5th of the season. �Jeff Clement went 3-for-5, and Brandon Moss and Erik Kratz had 2 hits each.
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Indians’ Hitting Gems of the Game: �Three home runs — a solo homer by Aki Iwamura, a 2-run homer by Jeff Clement, and a 3-run homer by Brandon Moss.
Indians’ Defensive Gem of the Game: �In the bottom of the 7th, with two outs and a runner on second base, Ryan Hanigan tapped a slow roller towards third base. �Aki Iwamura charged in and made the scoop, then fired across the diamond to Jeff Clement. �Clement had to reach for the ball, and ended up stretched out completely, toward the outfield side of the bag. �He managed to keep his toe on the bag, though, and made the catch in time for the out on Hanigan to end the inning.
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NOTES:
Steve Pearce had his left knee examined today by the Pirates’ team doctor in Pittsburgh. �The diagnosis of tendonitis was confirmed, but things are not so bad that he needs surgery at this point. �Instead, he will have an injection into his knee tomorrow to promote healing, and then he will have to rest for at least a week. �That will be followed by more treatments and exercise. �He is not expected to be back for the rest of the month.
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Go Tribe!
(photos by Nancy)
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