Cleveland Indians: Takeaways after a walk-off loss in Chicago

The Cleveland Indians were finally on the wrong side of a walk-off. After back-to-back walk-off wins of their own, the Tribe watched Daniel Palka stroke one to left field to get the 1-0 win.

Shane Bieber was firing all on cylinders but couldn’t get the run support as the Cleveland Indians stranded eight runners on base.

Even the bullpen was solid up until Neil Ramirez giving up the game winning homer.

On to the takeaways…

Not Justin was lights out

Shane Bieber was on fire in the windy city Friday night. It was one of his best starts of the season as the righty went 6.2 innings, allowing just three hits and no runs.

Bieber retired the last 15 of 17 batters that he faced and also struck out eight, the second most in a game this season.

After getting roughed up for 23 runs in five starts during July, Bieber has now had two quality starts to begin the month of August and hopefully is back on track.

Edwin injury

Edwin Encarnacion left the game after just one at-bat. During his only plate appearance in the first inning, Encarnacion swung at a pitch and looked to tweak his left arm.

He ended up waving off the trainer, drew a walk, and even stole second base (his second steal of the year).

But his night was soon cut short. Encarnacion did not return and his final three at bats were split between Melky Cabrera and Greg Allen.

It sounds like the move was a precautionary one and he shouldn’t miss any significant time (hopefully…..please…..PLEASE).

Win the winnable games

There were a lot of reasons why the Indians should win this game, first and foremost they were facing the White Sox (41-73 coming in). This is also a White Sox team that was just 2-8 against the Indians this season coming into this game.

Shane Bieber was phenomenal. He was a beast on the mound. He kept the Tribe in the game. Then the bullpen didn’t even blow up. Yes Neil Ramirez gave up the game winner, but it’s Neil Ramirez and it was one solo home run, a homer he doesn’t even get the chance to throw if Cleveland has a lead going into the bottom of the ninth.

This loss isn’t gonna kill the team, but it certainly will be seen as one that got away.