Indians 5, Pirates 2
Indians improve to 38-41
It's been quite a run for Cleveland starting pitchers lately and Trevor Bauer, while never shying away from being different, did not want to be the outlier Friday evening in Pittsburgh. Bauer faced off against the Pirates Charlie Morton and got the upper hand to keep the strong starts streak going in the Indians 5-2 victory over the Pirates.
Battling rain showers much of the night, Bauer showed improved command and kept Pirates hitters off-balance with a mix of four-seam fastballs (38), sliders (10), changeups (7), curveballs (7), cutters (6), and two-seam fastballs (6). The rain finally caused a lengthy delay in the bottom of the seventh, which forced Bauer out. His final line included giving up just two earned runs on three hits over six and 1/3 innings.
The Indians offense went down in order in the first inning, but got going in the second. David Murphy opened the frame with a single to right field. Brandon Moss followed with an opposite field home run that barely cleared the fence and Starling Marte's glove (who literally dove into the left field grand stands after the ball). The home run was Moss' 14th of the year and gave the Tribe an early two run lead.
The Indians got to Morton again in the fourth inning, with Moss reaching base after being hit by a pitch and advancing to third on a Yan Gomes single (who was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double by a Marte flick-of-the-wrist throw). After a Giovanny Urshela walk, Michael Bourn came through with a line drive double down to right field to score Moss and give the Tribe a three run lead.
Pittsburgh answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth, thanks to an Andrew McCutchen homer. That McCutchen guy is pretty good and absolutely smoked a 93 mph Bauer fastball to dead center.
After scoreless fifth and sixth innings, the rain picked up and forced a delay in the bottom of the seventh. The Tribe bullpen answered the bell and threw two and 2/3 scoreless innings to seal the victory.
The teams will be back at again Saturday afternoon at 4:05 ET with Cody Anderson and Jeff Locke serving as the scheduled starters.
Video of the Night
Bauer reached base with a walk in the top of the seventh and had a bit of fun in the batters box imitating his teammates. We get treated to a little Kipnis, Aviles, and Raburn. How can you not like this guy?
Win Expectancy Chart
Source: FanGraphs
Roll Call
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