Three Takeaways from Tribe's 2-1 Extra Inning Loss to Giants
1. Mike Clevinger Tosses Another Gem
Clevinger has been on a roll over his last seven starts, striking out 35 batters over 32 innings, allowing only five earned runs in that stretch. Tuesday was another installment of Clevinger at his best, as he worked six innings and San Francisco's only run off the 26-year-old was unearned, as Eduardo Nunez reached second on an error by Brandon Guyer and Buster Posey drove him in with an RBI single in the sixth.
Clevinger finished with seven strikeouts, two walks and only three hits allowed, receiving a no-decision.
It was a disappointing outcome for such a great outing, something Corey Kluber can certainly relate to recently.
2. Cleveland's Offense Stagnant
It's been a far too common theme this season, but the Tribe's bats could not come to life.
No one other than Bradley Zimmer (2-for-3) plated more than one hit and Cleveland had seven total hits on the night.
The struggles continued in the top of the ninth, as Edwin Encarnacion drew a leadoff walk, but Cleveland could not capitalize. Jose Ramirez (normally one of the most clutch hitters in the game) popped out on the first pitch.
Giovanny Urshela and Yan Gomes both grounded out to end the inning, giving the Giants a chance to walk it off.
3. Rough Night for Miller and Allen
Andrew Miller worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning and came back out for the ninth. He issued a leadoff walk to Brandon Belt, a rare mistake for the usual lockdown reliever.
He then walked Posey, putting the winning run in scoring position with nobody out.
Brandon Crawford showed bunt, but couldn't get it down and Miller induced a much-needed pop out to right field to hold the runners at Bay.
Cody Allen came in with one out in a tight spot.
Hunter Pence singled on a chopper, which took a high bounce off of home plate and rolled slowly down the third base side, staying in fair territory. It was a fluke hit, which loaded the bases with one out for Joe Panik. Allen came through again with a crucial strikeout to get out number two, bringing Gorkys Hernandez to the plate with the game on the line.
Allen induced another pop out to leave the bases loaded and force extras.
It was the first Cleveland Indians extra inning game since the home opener on April 10, which Michael Brantley ended with a walk-off single.
This Indians offense would have no such luck, as the Tribe went down in order quickly in the top of the tenth.
Conor Gillaspie started off the bottom of the 10th with a leadoff double. Kelby Tomlinson came in as a pinch-runner, representing the winning run. Denard Span laid down a bunt to the third base side of the mound and no one was there, putting runners at the corners with nobody out. Span stole second with no throw.
Nunez sealed the deal with a walk-off single, tying the series up at one game apiece. Cleveland has now lost four of five since the All-Star Break and five of its last six games.
The Tribe and Giants play the rubber match Wednesday afternoon at 3:45 pm ET.
Carlos Carrasco (10-4, 3.65 ERA) takes on Matt Cain (3-8, 5.56 ERA).
