Recap
Box Score
Win Probability Added @ Fangraphs
Highest WPA:
Ryan Garko .038
Casey Blake .037
Kelly Shoppach .028
Lowest WPA:
Jake Westbrook -.229
Franklin Gutierrez -.130
Josh Barfield -.088
This game was essentially over after Grady Sizemore struck out in the fourth inning. The Indians had two on with nobody out, and Jon Lester was laboring. Fifth starter extraordinaire Julian Tavarez was warming in the bullpen, and was probably one hit away from entering the game.
It was then the Indians hitters completely lost track of the situation. At this point, it should have been the pitcher who who felt the pressure; after all, his control had lost him in the fourth, and everything he threw was at the high end of the strike zone, if not above it. Franklin Gutierrez, who, it must be said, had a very good at-bat to this point, chased a high pitch to strike out. After Kelly Shoppach walked to load the bases, Josh Barfield swung at the second pitch he saw (a ball) and grounded weakly back to Lester, who forced Ryan Garko at home. And Grady Sizemore, perhaps trying to repeat the success of his previous at-bat, swung at a high fastball.
Jake Westbrook, like Cliff Lee a few days before, got hammered in the first, giving up four runs, and like Lee, persevered through six innings. But against a good pitching staff and without much help from the offense, the early meltdown was a crippling blow. Jake's pitch location was mostly high in the zone, which is not where a sinker-ball pitcher should live.
Next Up: Sabathia vs Matsuzaka, 7:05 PM