Indians Tie Series with Power Strokes

Jun 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (13) tags out Texas Rangers right fielder Alex Rios (51) during the game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Indians defeated the Rangers 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Tribe Catchers Connect for Homers in 8-3 Win

After dropping the first game of the series on a home run allowed by Marc Rzepczynski, the Indians bounced back to game the second game of the set from the Texas Rangers on Saturday afternoon.  After the Rangers took an early lead on a sacrifice fly by Elvis Andrus, David Murphy tied the game 1-1 on  a sacrifice fly of his own.  Two innings later, Yan Gomes gave the Tribe their first lead of the series by taking Nick Tepesch deep.  The Rangers were able to score two more runs off of Tomlin on Adrian Beltre‘s RBI double and a wild pitch later in the same inning, but a 4-run seventh off of the Texas bullpen blew the game wide open.

The Positives

Carlos Santana had a day at the plate that we’ve all desperately wanted to see for a long time.  The Rangers’ pitching staff was unable to get him out all day, watching him walk twice and sock two hits, including a homer in the seventh inning.  Hopefully the work he did during his DL stint means this is the norm and not just a rare occurrence.  John Axford did well in the ninth inning, giving up a single to the first batter he faced but then getting a key double-play and retiring Chirinos on a groundout.  Yan Gomes hit his first homer in a while, reminding us all of his power stroke.  And of course, Josh Tomlin went eight strong innings in a fantastic outing.  He’s been great for the Indians this year en route to a 3.12 ERA.

The Negatives

Hard to find any.  Asdrubal Cabrera went 0-for-5, so I guess we could be picky and complain about his inconsistency this season.  But there really wasn’t much not to like in this game.  The offense was great, the Tribe put up yet another 0 in the error column, and every starter besides Cabrera had at least one hit.

Check It Out

-Carlos Santana had 2 at-bats with 2 hits, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.  He also added 2 walks.

-The Indians drafted Yan Gomes’ younger brother Juan Gomes during the game with their 37th-round pick.

-Josh Tomlin’s eight innings was his longest outing of the season.