The Cleveland Indians dropped the first two games against the Orioles but were able to manage one win in Baltimore before departing.
The series against the Baltimore Orioles did not go as planned. Cleveland is the superior team but the Indians were only able to manage one win. Things could have been worse, they could have been swept. Excellent efforts from Shane Bieber and Carlos Santana got the Tribe in the win column Sunday.
Shane Bieber got the start and was fantastic. Bieber went eight innings, allowing three hits while striking out 11. This is exactly the performance needed from Bieber considering how disastrous the pitching performances in the two games prior were. Bieber really bailed out the Tribe and was able to put the team in position to win.
Things got a bit dicey in the ninth inning with Brad Hand on to close. Hand allowed two hits and walked one batter which set up a bases loaded situation. Baltimore had a chance to tie or win the game with Anthony Santander up to the plate but Hand was able to strike him out for his third strikeout of the inning.
The Indians offensive production came entirely from Carlos Santana. Santana went 2-5 on the day and drove in both runs. Near identical scoring plays brought Oscar Mercado home in the third and seventh innings.
Speaking of Oscar Mercado, he had himself quite a day. Mercado was able to go 3-5 which includes two doubles. Both doubles set up opportunities for Santana to drive him in.
The Indians still trail the Twins by eight games in the division and are half a game back in the Wild Card standings. The Tribe will continue their final road trip before the All-Star Break in Kansas City to take on their division rival Royals.
