Shane Bieber allowed 7 runs on 9 hits in just 4.2 innings in his disappointing playoff debut for the Cleveland Baseball Club.
Subpar, lackluster, disappointing, falling short of expectations. All of these can describe the playoff debut of Shane Bieber. The New York Yankees looked locked in on Shane Bieber and were not really fooled by much. Whether it was poor quality stuff, bad locations, tipping pitches, the performance was not up to the level required to win a playoff game.
Shane Bieber was not the only Cleveland pitcher to struggle against the Yankees lineup. Adam Cimber allowed 3 runs on 2 hits in just two thirds of an inning. Cam Hill allowed 2 runs on 3 hits in 2 innings. New York took advantage time and time again of Cleveland’s pitching staff and they really didn’t have an answer. The Yankees hit 4 home runs (2 apiece off of Bieber and Hill) and just mashed from beginning to end.
There was no way Cleveland was going to win this game considering that New York had more runs than Cleveland had hits (12-8). Not only was the pitching a problem, the offense was not able to keep up with New York’s. Now Cleveland is on the brink of elimination and they face a tough pitcher in Masahiro Tanaka. The last time Cleveland faced Tanaka in the playoffs he shut them out over 7 innings allowing only 3 hits. This is not a good omen for a team facing a win or go home situation.
