Indians Survive Extra Frames in Arlington, Top Rangers in 11 Innings 9-8; Three Takeaways

The start of the second half began for the Indians on Friday night in Arlington against the Rangers, and it didn't exactly goes as the script might have been

The start of the second half began for the Indians on Friday night in Arlington against the Rangers, and it didn't exactly goes as the script might have been written.

It looked like the Indians were ready to suffer yet another huge loss after Cody Allen allowed two homers with two outs in the 9th to allow the game to even up at eight, but after an amazing escape by Zach McAllister in the 10th, the team did enough to get a run in the 11th to secure the win.

McAllister got the win to improve to 1-2 on the season, and Dan Otero got the save for the Indians as the team had to pull out seven arms from the pen, including both new arms acquired from the Padres.

No matter, it was a win and the Tribe will take it, just their second extra inning win of the season, as they move to 53-43 on the season and will be back at it Saturday night in Arlington.

1. Whatever it Takes

The Indians put up nine runs on 17 hits, including a huge night for a couple of players in order to get the much-needed win to start the second half 9-8.

The winning run came in the 11th when Edwin Encarnacion, who went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, singled in the winning run to score Jose Ramirez to take the 9-8 lead.

The offense sure wasn't the issue, as six players on the team had two or more hits in the win, led by new call up Yandy Diaz who had four hits, going 4-for-6 with two RBI.

Jason Kipnis also was on fire in the first game of the second half, going 2-for-5 with his 10th homer of the season and three runs batted in.

It might not have been pretty, but the Tribe will take it.

We have won.

We will take a brief intermission, and begin another game shortly.

Goodnight. 💤#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/ySvcjiwRQp

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 21, 2018

2. Better Than a Magician

How the heck was Zach McAllister able to work out of a no-out bases loaded jam in the 10th and keep the Tribe in the game?

The much maligned relief pitcher was able to do it the hard way, getting a force out at home, and then a pair of huge strikeouts to end the inning.

The 10th inning started with three straight Texas hits, and it appeared the game was all but over.

But just as quickly as he allowed it, McAllister shut the door on the Rangers, getting first the groundout that went third to home for one out, and then getting two straight K's to end the inning.

It's not been much of a season for McAllister, who normally comes into games when they are either decided or in extra innings, but on Friday night he should get a huge round of applause for the one inning of work in which he was somehow, someway, able to work out of the bases loaded jam to save the game and lead the Indians to the win.

3. Short Night for Bauer

With the dangerous temp of 107 to start Friday night's game, Indians starter Trevor Bauer only was able to last four innings, his shortest outing of the season for the All-Star.

He allowed four runs on nine hits, throwing 102 pitches, 59 for strikes. He simply didn't look as nearly as sharp as Sunday against the Yankees, and gave up a run in the first, two in the second, and while he was able to throw scoreless third and fourth innings, that was it for his night.

Bauer gets the no-decision so really it's nothing gained, nothing lost, but as one might expect for a pitcher who threw Sunday, went to the All-Star game, and then had to throw in the hottest game in Rangers history, the writing was on the wall that Bauer was not going to have a great night.

He did end up striking out seven Rangers, but his pitch count went through the roof after walking five in the effort. He'll be back on the mound Wednesday afternoon at Progressive Field against the Pirates.