Indians Lose Marathon Game in Puerto Rico Against Minnesota, Three Takeways From 2-1 Loss

San Juan, Puerto Rico- On Wednesday evening, the Cleveland Indians took on the Minnesota Twins in what was game two of a two-game series concluding on Wednesday night. The Indians have Thursday off and will be heading to Baltimore to take on the Orioles on Friday.

Coming into tonight’s game against the Twins, the Indians have won their first matchup of the series on Tuesday 6-1. Outside of a loss to Toronto last Friday, Cleveland has won six out of their last seven games.

Heading into Wednesday evening’s matchup the Indians came in with a record of 9-6 and was a half a game ahead of the Minnesota Twins for the early first place lead. The Twins came in with a record of 7-5.

Following the Indians 2-1 loss to the Twins, the Indians fall to 9-7 on the season. As the Twins improve to 8-5 on the year.

Here’s our three takeaways from the Indians 2-1 loss.

1.) Carlos Carrasco Continues His 2018 Roll

On Wednesday night, Carlos Carrasco continued his early success in the 2018 season and also against the Twins. As mentioned in the Indians preview today, Cookie has had success against Minnesota in 2017 and in Wednesday's game not much changed.

The Indians right-handed pitcher threw 7.0 innings pitched, gave up 3 hits, walked one batter, and struck out 7. Carrasco came away with the no decision though in tonight's start.

With Carrasco coming away with a no-decision, his career-best 9-game win streak did not snap.

Cookie also continued to have success against AL Central opponents, in his last 14 starts he has a record of 12-0, an ERA of 1.49, and struck out 108 batters.

2.) Jose Berrios Has Incredible Performance In His Homecoming to Puerto Rico

Twins' starting pitcher Jose Berrios had a very memorable homecoming as well in Wednesday's game. Berrios was the first Puerto Rican native since 2003 to make a start in Puerto Rico. Berrios was someone that managed to find success against an Indians team that went 102-60 last season, giving Cleveland one of their losses in his only start against them in May.

Berrios and Carrasco battled in a pitchers duel in which neither was able to come out on the winning end as an individual. The Puerto Rican native pitched 7 innings, gave up 3 hits, walked none, and struck out 5.

The Twins and Indians found their respective bullpens in a battle from the seventh inning on.

3.) Bullpens, Small Ball, and a Costly Error

The first run of Wednesday's matchup didn't come until the 14th inning when Edwin Encarnacion hit a solo home run to left field to give the Indians a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning though, Miguel Sano answered back for the Twins hitting a solo home run of his own to left field also.

Cleveland's bullpen put together 6.3 innings pitched following the exit of Carrasco and gave up 1 earned run. Matt Belisle was responsible for the one earned run given up out of the Indians relief pitchers. The Tribe's bullpen struck out 8 Twins' hitters and had thrown 98 pitches combined until Indians starting pitcher Josh Tomlin came in to start the 15th inning.

One thing that the Indians were not able to capitalize off of for most of the game was playing small ball and establishing a sacrifice bunt when Cleveland had runners in scoring position.

To start off the Twins' half of the 16th inning, Eddie Rosario singled, followed by Logan Morrison grounding into a fielders choice but a major error was committed by Indians second baseman, Jason Kipnis, and everyone was safe. The Indians intentionally walked Eduardo Escobar with runners at the corners which loaded the bases for Ryan LaMarre, LaMarre put the long night to an end with a walk-off RBI single to center field. Unfortunately for Tomlin, he was charged with the loss and fell to 0-2 on the young season.