The Indians lost. The Browns won. Been quite awhile since we could say that.
While Cleveland’s football team had a heck of a finish (and Baker Mayfield sure looks like he’s going to be a star), the city’s favorite team lost 5-4 in extra innings to the Chicago White Sox.
Josh Tomlin started for the Tribe and was looking to impress Terry Francona and company, as postseason roster spots are looking mighty slim. Tomlin has had a tough season, entering with a 7.68 ERA in seven starts. That’s just awful and well to be honest, tonight wasn’t a whole lot better. The right-hander was hit relatively hard, giving up eight hits and four runs in just four innings of work.
Chicago used three hits in the first inning to plate a run. Three more hits in the second inning for the White Sox added two more runs. Yuck. Chicago catcher Omar Narvaez hit a solo homer in the third inning to make it a 4-0 lead.
The Tribe bullpen was excellent after Tomlin’s early departure, with Tyler Olson, Dan Otero, Oliver Perez, Neil Ramirez, Jon Edwards, and Brad Hand all putting up goose eggs. Right-hander Brad Cimber pitched the 10th and 11th innings, giving up a run and ultimately earning the loss. It’s rare for Cimber to go more than a few batters and was the first time as an Indian he went multiple innings. It’s safe to assume Tito is in trial and error mode (see Trevor Bauer).
Offensively, the Indians got solo homers from Francisco Lindor and Michael Brantley in the third inning and scored two more runs in a wacky and crazy long eighth inning. The eighth featured a triple (Lindor), two wild pitches, and four White Sox pitching changes. The Tribe had chances to plate runs in the ninth, tenth, and eleventh innings, but went cold in the clutch. Brantley finished with three hits, while Lindor had two for the good guys.
Next up is a series with the Red Sox and that much-anticipated Trevor Bauer start. Here’s hoping he looks and stays healthy!