A Texas Sized 9th Helps Tribe to 9-6 Win Over Rangers – Three Takeaways from the Sweep

Wow. That's about all you can say about the first three games for the 2017 Cleveland Indians, who will probably hate to say good-bye to Texas after scoring 21

Wow.

That's about all you can say about the first three games for the 2017 Cleveland Indians, who will probably hate to say good-bye to Texas after scoring 21 runs in completing an impressive sweep over a team that won more games than any other in the American League last season.

The most impressive part of the sweep?

Easy, two of them came against Rangers closer Sam Dyson, who was shell shocked in Wednesday's ninth inning, not being able to find the plate and then Francisco Lindor crushed a pitch to the seats to send Dyson to the showers and give the Indians a three-run lead.

The Tribe has a well deserved day off on Thursday before they travel to Arizona to take on the Diamondbacks over the weekend before they come home for the opener on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox.

We wrap up a heck of a sweep with our three takeaways from the win, a sweet win that has this team sitting atop the AL Central a few days into 2017.

3. Frankie Makes Up for 5th Inning Mistake

The sign of a good young player in his ability to learn from and not allow mistakes to bother them. Indians sensational shortstop Francisco Lindor showed that in a number of ways on Wednesday, having a monster night following an unfortunate error in the 5th that allowed the Rangers to take a two-run lead.

Lindor took a two-out grounder and instead of throwing to first, tried to race to second base for what would have been a force out. After Shin-Soo Choo outraced Lindor, the shortstop made an ill advised throw to first, one that seemed to catch Edwin Encarnacion off guard.

Two runs scored to make it 4-2 Rangers, but not for long. Lindor came up in the 6th with a solo homer to make it 4-3, but what he'll be remembered for is his monster grand slam, the first of his career, with one out in the 9th to give the Indians a 9-6 lead.

The maturity of Lindor was never in question, but after the game on the STO interview he was more upset about costing his pal Danny Salazar a chance to get a win with his error, not instead celebrating his game-winning grand slam.

The 23-year-old is one heck of a special player, and once again proved that with two homers, five runs batted in, and an interview that showed just how humble he is as a team player.

2. Ninth Inning Patience

The Indians in three games against the Rangers have scored eight runs in the 9th inning, three in the win on Monday and five Wednesday, but what was great to see in the 9-6 win was how the team was able to load the bases and even get in a run.

They took pitches.

Sam Dyson, who now boasts a 72.00 ERA after two losses to the Tribe, couldn't find the plate, and the Tribe took advantage of that, as after Yandy Diaz and Tyler Naquin both singled, Yan Gomes flew out, and then Abraham Almote walked to load the bases in a great at-bat, and Carlos Santana also walked, making it a 6-5 game.

Then Lindor delivered the big blow, but the team wouldn't have gotten there if it were not for the team setting the table with the two hits and then the even better two walks.

Dyson threw 22 pitches, and once the Indians sensed that he was rattled, they made sure to let him bury himself with the two walks that then allowed Lindor to deliver the huge hit to send the Indians to the sweep.

1. Salazar Deserved a Better Fate

Starter Danny Salazar was able to last 5.2 innings, allowing five runs on five hits with four walks and nine strikeouts. Lindor's mistake in the fifth cost two runs that should have never crossed the plate, and if you take those away it's two runs in close to six innings.

His fastball was effective, and he was aggressive early in counts and went after hitters, a welcome sight in his first start of 2017.

After Corey Kulber's scuffling outing in the opener, the team got two good starts from both Carlos Carrasco and now Salazar, two good signs of a rotation that many still feel is the best in baseball.

Salazar did have some control issues with the four walks, but the nine K's are a welcome sight, and the bullpen also gets kudos for a good three games as well, not imploding like we saw the Rangers do twice in three days.

Thursday the Indians will travel to Arizona to take on the Diamondbacks, a team that has one of the bigger underrated players in the National League in Paul Goldschmidt.

Game one of the three game set will be Friday at Chase Field, with Josh Tomlin going for the Indians.