Fun Finish to the Home Opener as Indians Top White Sox 2-1 in 10 Innings: Three Takeaways From the Win

CLEVELAND - The Indians had somewhat of a frustrating day at Progressive Field with a number of chances to top the rival Chicago White Sox and break their short

CLEVELAND - The Indians had somewhat of a frustrating day at Progressive Field with a number of chances to top the rival Chicago White Sox and break their short three-game losing streak from the weekend, but seemed to always shoot themselves in the foot.

Finally with the help of an old friend, they were able to get the job done in 10 innings, as Michael Brantley drove in the game-winning run with a double to left to score Francisco Lindor to give the Tribe the 2-1 win.

The win puts them at 4-3 on the season, and bails them out after they had multiple chances to win the game earlier but a couple key double plays killed their chances.

Here's our three takeaways from an emotionally draining opener which saw the Tribe get their AL Championship Rings earlier in the day, and finally get out of dodge with a hard fought win.

1. Happy Returns for Brantley

It was tough on everyone to watch Michael Brantley, who was a huge part of this team two seasons ago, manage to play in just 11 MLB games last season before having to be shut down in late August.

He's back, and that's exciting news for the Tribe, who got a look first hand at what he adds to the lineup when he lined a double down the line with two outs in the 10th to bring in Francisco Lindor with the game-winning run.

Brantley was 1-for-3 with two walks and a strikeout to go along with the double, and thus far early in the season he's hitting .250. The best appears yet to come with Brantley, and that's a welcome sight for sure to Indians fans.

2. Diaz Dazzling on Defense

The Indians appeared to be on the end of what could have been a stunning defeat in the 8th when after a double the Sox had runners on second and third with one out, and Leury Garcia up at the plate.

Against Andrew Miller, Garcia got a great swing on the ball and hit a sinking liner to third, and rookie Yandy Diaz made a huge grab before the ball hit the ground, stopping what likely would have been a pair of runs to give the Sox a 3-1 lead.

Diaz's play was game-saving by all accounts, and while the youngster has a long way to go to stick at the Major League level, his play was one that wasn't unnoticed by his teammates and manager as one that allowed the Indians to get the win.

3. Edwin's Opening Act One to Forget

It had to be a rather odd day for new Indian Edwin Encarnacion, who first watched the team he lost to in October for the right to play the Cubs in the World Series get their rings before the game, and then he had a day he probably would love to wipe away at the plate.

On not one, but two occasions he came to the plate with the bases loaded for a chance to be a hero, and both times he grounded out into back breaking 5-4-3 double plays that killed innings.

Both times it looked like Encarnacion was thrown pitches down and in, and instead of taking, he really wanted to give Indians fans something to remember him by.

Sadly, all they remember of him thus far is a player that could have been the goat for leaving all kinds of men on base with shots to put the Tribe ahead.

He's pressing, and thus far the numbers show it as he's hitting just .185 on the season, with two K's and two double plays in his first game at home.