Cleveland Indians: 4 takeaways from series opening win against the Red Sox

The Cleveland Indians earned perhaps their biggest win of the year, meaning we’re bringing you even more takeaways from a clutch win for the Tribe.

In their first meeting of the year, the Cleveland Indians went into Fenway Park and did something that’s happened just sixteen times this year; beat the Red Sox in Boston.

The Tribe pulled out a 5-4 win Monday night on the hand of Corey Kluber and the bat of Greg Allen. While the game’s two powerhouses; Jose Ramirez and J.D. Martinez were mostly held quiet, the game still held the intense nervousness of a post-season game. Here are the takeaways from this intense game.

Greg Allen? GREG ALLEN?!

Greg Allen extended his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest by a rookie this year, which is all good and well. But what was most impressive of Allen’s performance? That Big Al DINGER.  Allen went yard off of Rick Porcello in the seventh inning. A two run shot that gave the Indians a 5-3 lead and the push to win the game.

It was Allen’s second home run of the season, and oddly enough it was his second game winning home run this season. The other came on May 27th, a 10-9 win against Houston.. another first place team.

Batting in the nine-hole and getting called up because of injuries, Allen made the most of it. Actually, he’s gone even further and he has been for some time now (13 game hitting streak).

The weakest link becomes the strongest.

Outside of the bullpen, the Indians outfield has been their weakest link. Michael Brantley has been the single constant in left field. But other than him, center and right have been a toss-up all season. As injuries and poor play plague the Tribe’s eight and nine fielding positions.

But on Monday night it was the Indians outfield that fueled them to victory. In a game that saw the Red Sox nearly double the Indians in hits (13 against 7), Cleveland still found a way to win.  Each member of their outfield went yard.

Michael Brantley,  Melky Cabrera, and Greg Allen; these three alone provided the Indians of all of their five runs. In just three innings on top of that. A Cabrera solo in the fifth, Brantley two run shot in the sixth and an Allen capper in the seventh. The Tribe outfield proved to be the difference against arguable the best outfield in baseball.

After being a disappointment nearly all season, it was fitting for them to be the downfall of baseball’s top team (and in Boston as well.)

Adam Cimber vs J.D. Martinez.

Adam Cimber came into the game in the seventh inning relieving Oliver Perez. Terry Francona was playing match-ups again; of which I’m not a fan, but we’ll save that for another day.

Cimber came in to face (arguably) the Red Sox best hitter…  MVP candidate, J.D. Martinez. First  pitch, way low and out of the zone, but somehow got the strike call. Martinez not happy. Second pitch, low and in, not a strike, but somehow gets strike two.

Now Adam Cimber has the Red Sox best hitter on the ropes, ahead 0-2 and with an umpire giving favorable calls….. And what does he do?

Hum it right down the middle. Right down the freaking middle. To one of the best hitters in baseball who, surprise surprise, roped it for a single.

That stuck with me. Adam Cimber; while through limited action, hasn’t been much to write home about for the Indians. I think the guy is solid and can and should be good. But this was a big confidence move by Francona to bring him in during; arguably the games biggest moment and he squandered it.

Yes, it did end up being fine as he retired the next batter and didn’t give up a run, but it was still frustrating to watch.

Thank you, Cody Allen

Cody Allen made the ending scary in typical Cody Allen fashion, but he hung on. He got the save in a post season level game and he made me proud. So thank you Cody Allen. Thank you for not being terrible this time around and keeping us all happy.

It was a big win for the Indians. Perhaps their biggest win so far. But their work isn’t done yet, they face the same team, same time, same place Tuesday night.