The Cleveland Baseball Club’s comeback effort fell just short as they lost 11-10.
Things did not start off well for the Cleveland Baseball Club in Pittsburgh. Jean Carlos Mejia allowed five runs in the 1st inning, not exactly the start imagined by anyone facing this Pirates team. Even after the poor start, Mejia was able to give the team some length as he went 5 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits along the way.
Kyle Nelson also allowed five runs in an inning as he failed to get out of the 6th. Nelson’s issue was walks as he allowed three free passes in addition to two hits. It was a walk, a hit by pitch, and a three RBI double which chased Nelson.
Finding themselves down 11-1 in the 7th, Cleveland staged quite the comeback effort. A bases loaded RBI single from Josh Naylor got things started. Rene Rivera also followed with a bases loaded RBI single which set the stage for Cesar Hernandez. Hernandez clobbered a grand slam to cut the Pirates lead to four.
Cleveland continued their comeback effort in the 8th as it was Rivera again delivering with the bases loaded. This time a throwing error allowed all runners on base to score making the deficit just one. Unfortunately, that’s all Cleveland could muster as they were unable to drive in any of the two runners on base in the 9th.
The series continues at PNC Park Saturday at 4:05 P.M.
