The Cleveland Indians bullpen were unable to keep the lead as they allowed 4 runs in the final 3 innings as they lost 7-6 to the Oakland Athletics. Normally this is not an issue as it is only Spring Training, but it is the relievers who struggled that make it quite alarming.
Oliver Perez, Nick Wittgren, and Hunter Wood combined to allow five runs in 2.2 innings. Oakland collected five hits and walked once off of some key Indians relievers. While this is only one game, Tito could end up having to give these particular pitchers plenty of appearances this season. If they pitch anything remotely close to this it would make fans clamor for the days of Bryan Shaw.
Now onto some good news. Shane Bieber pitched 4 innings to start the game and allowed only 2 hits and struck out 7. Bieber certainly proved why Terry Francona felt comfortable naming him the Opening Day Starter.
The Indians had a good 2nd inning at the plate. Cleveland scored 4 runs in the inning. Mike Freeman drove in the first run with an RBI single. Daniel Johnson scored on a passed ball to make it 2-0. Jordan Luplow hit a rare homer off a righty to give Cleveland a four-run lead. Carlos Santana hit a two-run shot in the 6th inning to give the Tribe a 6-3 lead.
