The Cleveland Baseball Club defeated the visiting Kansas City Royals by a score of 9-2 in the final game of their three game series.
If there is one thing that the Cleveland Baseball Club needs this season it is Jose Ramirez to look like Jose Ramirez. Good news, Jose Ramirez does indeed look like Jose Ramirez. Ramirez went 3-5 on the day which included two home runs. Ramirez’ three-run home run in the 4th was Cleveland’s first of the season.
The Cleveland third baseman also drove in four runs and scored four times. These are the types of performances that will need to be commonplace if the team is to return to the postseason.
Domingo Santana got into the hit column as he went 3-3 with a walk and a run scored. Santana was absolutely crushing the ball as only one of his three hits had a sub 104.3 MPH exit velocity.
Cesar Hernandez got things started at the top of the order, a welcome sight for Cleveland. Hernandez got into some bad habits in his final season with Philadelphia and it appears he has reverted to his former self. Cleveland’s leadoff man had two hits and scored twice. Hernandez is looking to get on base and not hit the ball over the wall. Getting on base for the likes of Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor, and Carlos Santana to drive him will be essential for the offense. If Hernandez can keep this up good things will follow.
The man on the mound played a huge role too
It was not only the players in the batters box who made an impact today, it was a guy on the mound, someone everyone could root for, Carlo Carrasco. Carrasco made his first start since last season before being diagnosed with Leukemia and he was fantastic. Cookie pitched six innings striking out 10 while allowing two runs on five hits and walking one. Cleveland could not have asked for more from their third starter.
Oliver Perez, Dominic Leone, and Cameron Hill combined for three innings, striking five. Two baserunners did reach (a hit and a walk) during Leone’s appearance in the 8th. Hill made his MLB debut in 9th and did not allow a baserunner.
With the win, Cleveland is 2-1 and is waiting the arrival of the Chicago White Sox who come to town for a three game set starting Monday.
