Game 159: Twins 6, Indians 4 (10 Innings)

by Ryan on Sep 25, 2011 4:55 PM EDT in Game Recaps

The Indians had a chance to clinch both second place and a .500 record, in addition to finishing the season with a nine-game winning streak against the Minnesota Twins, but two tenth-inning runs spoiled all those potential marks.

Shelley Duncan continued his torrid September, hitting a two-run homer to put the Indians up 4-2 in the third, but Fausto Carmona couldn't hold the lead, He gave up single tallies in the fifth and sixth innings, with both runs coming either directly or indirectly via an extra-base. A Denard Span triple set up the run in the fifth, and a two-out Trevor Plouffe in the sixth tied the game.

The Tribe bullpen threw 2.2 innings of scoreless baseball to get the game into extra innings, but once regulation ended, so did to the scoreless streak. Tony Sipp gave up a home run to Rene Tosoni (.194/.267/.306) to open the inning, and an additional run on a Chris Parmalee RBI single.

The Indians got the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the inning when Travis Hafner hit with Carlos Santana on first base and two outs, but Hafner grounded out to the first baseman to end the game and the home schedule. The Indians finished the season 44-37 at Progressive Field.

Jim Thome pinch-hit in the eighth inning, and in what may have been his last plate appearance in an Indians home uniform, worked a walk. (Edit: In the top of the ninth, he went out onto the field, and for one pitch, played third base. After the pitch, he was replaced and left the field to a standing ovation.)

20110925_twins_indians_0_20110925151803_lbig__medium

via www.fangraphs.com

Highest WPA		Lowest WPA
Duncan	.204	Sipp	-.416
Smith	.131	Carrera	-.230
Donald	.123	Marson	-.205

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Jim Thome played third base. That was really cool. We’ll get that 81st in Detroit.

by johnf34 on Sep 25, 2011 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

If he hadn’t played for the Twins, they would have bunted.

by kennesawmountainwahoo on Sep 25, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea, it only lasted 1 pitch so there wasn’t much of a chance.

by johnf34 on Sep 25, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions

3 games to play… Kipnis at 123 ab…would they consider keeping him under 130 for ‘rookie’ status next year (possible ROY consideration), or is that just a fantasy player mindset?

by DocNo on Sep 25, 2011 7:38 PM EDT reply actions

I would guess the marketing department cares but the FO guys don’t.

by johnf34 on Sep 25, 2011 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Duncan has risen so fast he might have the bends. I actually look forward to seeing him in a Tribe uni next year (unlike Hannahan. Hoping we sell “high”.) Duncan destroyed righties this year, even if his approach isn’t the greatest.

by joeee on Sep 25, 2011 11:32 PM EDT reply actions

Oh man, don’t say that. The irrational fan boy in me has taken to Hannahan, and I would be bummed to see him go.

by OscarDog on Sep 26, 2011 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I see no reason to rid ourselves of Hannahan. I enjoy watching him in the field as much as I did Gutierrez.

by APV on Sep 26, 2011 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Hannahan is extremely useful utility player to have. It would not surprise me if the Indians sent him to winter ball to get some innings in at shortstop to enhance his utility resume. It will be interesting to see what happens in ST with the battle between him and Donald for the utility infield position on next year’s roster.

@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff

by woodsmeister on Sep 26, 2011 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I can appreciate that, but one of his bare handers doesn’t compensate for how much of a slam dunk strikeout he is once he’s down to two strikes. I remember earlier this year, Santana struck out in the bottom of the ninth on an 0-2 count, bat never left his shoulder. I remember thinking how proof-positive that was that Santana was a good hitter – selective. Everyone – the pitcher, handsome Jack, my parents watching at home – knows that Hannahan will be a good soldier and give it a try when he’s down in the count. (Note, he improved on this slightly throughout the season.)

I think Chisenhall is going to be really good. He’s got a great approach, great hands – this is weird, but he had some crushed foul-balls that he needed to straighten out and they would’ve been 420 foot home runs. He’s got “it.” And his defense is basically as good.

by joeee on Sep 27, 2011 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions