Lake County Sentinel
Santana's 5 RBI night leads Indians past Pirates 6-3
BY ANDREW GUARINO
INDIANS BEAT WRITER
The Cleveland Indians defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 Tueday evening from PNC bank park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
A couple of notes prior to today's game: Roberto Perez was activated from the injured list. It was also announced Terry Francona would miss this series due to a scheduled procedure; first base coach Sandy Alomar will fill in for him. Catcher Sandy Leon did not make the trip to Pittsburgh due to a family emergency - he'll miss the next three games. Also, Oscar Mercado was optioned to the alternate side and Greg Allen was recalled.
The Pirates got on the board in the bottom half of the first inning. Kevin Newman had a one-out double to left field, and he ended up coming home to score on a Colin Moran single to right to give Pittsburgh the 1-0 lead. The Indians got it back in the third when Cesar Hernandez doubled to lead off the inning followed by back-to-back walks to Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor. Then Carlos Santana hit an RBI single to bring home Hernandez and Ramirez, which put the Indians in front for the first time. Franmil Reyes had a sac fly to center to score Lindor and put the Tribe up 3-1.
Pittsburgh wasn't done fighting, though, as their offense got back on track in the fifth. Adam Frazier had a one-out single followed by a walk to Kevin Newman. Josh Bell then doubled to score both Frazier and Bell, which put the game at three a piece.
Things got dicey in the ninth for the Indians. Nick Wittgren came into pitch. The first two batters for Pittsburgh reached via a walk and a sac bunt. Another Pirate attempted a sac bunt but missed and Roberto Perez threw down to second to pick off Jarrod Dyson. The play was challenged but the call was upheld and he was out. Kevin Newman then singled to once again put runners on first and second. But Wittgren got himself out of the jam.
With the new rule of a player starting at second in extra innings, the Indians had Cesar Hernandez start the tenth at second base. Jose Ramirez struck out and then Francisco Lindor got hit by a pitch. This was followed by Carlos Santana, who hit a moon shot three-run home run to left field, which would win it for Cleveland.
Carlos Carrasco struggled again Tuesday evening, going just 4 1/3 and giving up three runs on five hits, walking three, and striking out five. Carrasco has struggled with his command his last two starts prior to this one; in the three games total, he has walked 12 batters.
Next up for Cleveland is game 2/3 versus the Pittsburgh Pirates from PNC Bank Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. The pitching matchup is Aaron Civale who's 2-2 with a 3.60 ERA versus Steven Brault, who is 0-0 with a 5.43 ERA.
tshirer@lakecountysentinel.com or follow us on Twitter @SportsSentinel or @LCSentinelcom Check out our IndiansNation fan Page
POSTED 08/18/2020 23:20
Related Stories
