Los Angeles Angels Take Game Two from Cleveland Indians in 9-3 Loss

The Indians’ pitching staff remained inconsistent as Angels hitters played Home Run Derby against the Tribe on Tuesday night, beating Cleveland 9-3 in the second of a three game series. Starter Josh Tomlin lasted only 5 1/3 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on 11 hits. Los Angeles right-hander Matt Shoemaker had an excellent outing, lasting eight innings in which he gave up just two runs on five hits and a walk, while striking out 10. The Tribe’s bullpen further contributed to the problem by allowing three additional runs.

Jun 17, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) is congratulated by right fielder Kole Calhoun (56), Los Angeles Angels Albert Pujols (5) and left fielder Raul Ibanez (28) after hitting a three run home run during the fifth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Key Innings

Bottom of the 4th, tied 1-1
The Angels scored on an RBI groundout in the first inning, and the Tribe followed suit in the second to tie the game. Lonnie Chisenhall gave the Indians a lead with a solo home run, but the lead wouldn’t last for long.

Top of the 5th, Indians lead 2-1
After David Freese singled to lead off the inning, Raul Ibanez reached on a throwing error by Asdrubal Cabrera, and with runners at first and second, Kole Calhoun hit an RBI single to score the tying run. Mike Trout followed with a three-run blast off Tomlin that made it 5-2 in favor of Los Angeles. Tomlin went on to allow his second home run of the night when Howie Kendrick led off the sixth with a blast of his own.

Top of the 9th, Indians trail 7-2
Trout added a solo shot in the seventh, but the final blow came in the ninth inning with Josh Outman on the mound. Calhoun tacked on yet another solo home run, before Kendrick gave the Indians their ninth run of the night with an RBI double to center field. After a brief rain delay, the Indians were only able to tack on one more run in the ninth before losing to the Angels 9-3.

The Positives

Lonnie Chisenhall was 2-4 with a home run, breaking out of the 0-13 slump he had been in since the start of the Boston series. Carlos Santana had another productive night at the plate as well.

The Negatives

The pitching has been incredibly inconsistent for the past two turns through the rotation, and the bullpen has struggled to put up zeros as well. The defense also cost the team yet again, with another error coming from Cabrera.

Check It Out

– In 24.2 innings, Josh Outman has given up 22 hits and 16 walks, including four home runs.

– Mike Trout, who hit two home runs in Tuesday’s game, has the fourth highest WAR in Major League Baseball so far this season. He trails only Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki, the Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton, and Oakland A’s third baseman Josh Donaldson.