Cabrera's Single Saves Tribe

Score: Indians 3 Mariners 2


Turning Point: The Tribe loaded the bases in the bottom of the eleventh, and with two outs, Asdrubal Cabrera drove a sinker into right field to drive in the winning run.


Analysis: The Indians offense continues to sputter and the bullpen hasn’t done much better, but the Tribe somehow got the “W.” As heartbreaking as a no decision is for Paul Byrd, he will take the team victory. He pitched 7 and 2/3 of shutout baseball, only to have it go all for naught. Betancourt couldn’t hold the lead in the ninth, and Masa Kobayashi, who has been lights out this season, gave up a home run in the top of the tenth inning, but he held the M’s in check in the eleventh. The Indians had the bases loaded with one out in the tenth, and Grady Sizemore drove in the tying run with to re-tie the game at 2-2. Then in their half, the Indians reloaded the bases with one out, and finally Asdrubal Cabrera got a base hit to win it.


MVP: Paul Byrd
Give it to Byrd. He deserved this one for sure, but the bullpen couldn’t do their part to hold the lead. Byrd threw a masterpiece. He pitched the 7 and 2/3 innings, stuck out four, and he shut out the Mariners. His ERA dropped from 4.85 to 3.74 during tonight’s start.


Extras:

- Travis Hafner had a good night in his new line up spot. Hafner was 2-4 with the two doubles and a RBI.

- Ironically four of the Indians eight hits were doubles. Hafner hit the two, and Blake and Martinez each hit a two bagger tonight, as well.

- Ryan Garko had a good night. He went 2-4 in the ballgame. Garko was mired in a 0-24 slump.

- Asdrubal Cabrera’s single in the eleventh was the first hit of the home stand with the bases loaded. The team is just 1-8 with the bases loaded so far.

- Victor Martinez threw out two base runners attempting to steal second tonight.


Next Up: The Indians welcome the Kansas City Royals to Progressive Field on Friday night. The Royals were swept a little over a week ago by the Tribe, and the Indians are looking for more of the same. The Indians will start the resurgent, CC Sabathia, who took a tough loss in his last start against New York. CC has only allowed one run in his last fourteen innings pitched. Sabathia is 1-4 with a 7.88 ERA. The Royals will start rookie, Luke Hochevar. Hochevar has a 11.57 ERA on the road, and for the season he is 1-1 with a 5.91 ERA. First pitch is 7:05 PM.