The Cleveland Indians were unable to overcome an early defecit to the Arizona Diamondbacks as the Tribe lost by a score of 12-3.
Cleveland found themselves facing an early deficit and were unable to overcome the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday. The Indians lost by a score of 12-3. It is hard to win a game when the Tribe pitching staff gives up 12 runs on 15 hits and only manages four strikeouts. The offense got nine hits on the day, but were unable to make Arizona pay with runners on base.
Pitching staff did not do Cleveland any favors
Chih-Wei Hu got the start for the Indians and it went as bad as it possibly could. Hu allowed three runs on four hits in just two innings. All three runs came in the first inning. The fact Hu came out for the second inning was a bit of surprise.
Neil Ramirez followed Hu and his outing was not much better. Ramirez pitched one inning and allowed a two-run homer to Christian Walker. This stretched Arizona’s lead to 5-0.
Alex Wilson pitched the fourth inning and allowed just one run. Considering how those who preceded him pitched, this was at least progresse of some sort.
Tyler Olson took over after Wilson and had the best outing of the entire day. Striking out all three batters he faced. Olson was the first Indians pitcher to record a strikeout Sunday.
Nick Wittgren followed Olson and the Indians were back in a familiar place, giving up runs to Arizona. Wittgren allowed four runs on three hits in just one inning.
Following Wittgren was Shao-Ching Chiang. Like Tyler Olson, did not allow a run. Chiang allowed two hits, but neither baserunner would score.
R.C. Orlan took over for Chiang and pitched one inning. Orlan did not allow a hit but two baserunners did reach base. One via a walk and another by an error.
Jean Carlos Mejia took over for the final frame, allowing two runs, two hits, a walk and striking out one. Mejia surrendered a two-run shot to Arizona’s Daulton Varsho.
Indians offense struggles to score
Jason Kipnis was the only regular Indians starter to reach base. Kipnis went 2-2 on the day before being replaced later in the game. Leonys Martin, Carlos Santana and Kevin Plawecki combined to go 0-5. Although Santana did manage to draw a walk, which is hardly surprise considering he is one of the best at doing so.
Daniel Johnson drove in Trayce Thompson in the third inning for the Indians first run of the day. Neither player is expected to make the big league club out of camp. Although stranger things have happened.
Oscar Mercado hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, but the outcome of the game did not change.
The Indians will need to start hitting more consistently for their Spring Training fortunes to turnaround. While the pitching staff put the team in a bad spot early, it was not an impossible task to overcome initially. Eventually a comeback did become out of the realm of possibilities and the game became a lost cause. Good thing it is only Spring Training and these games do not count. Although a breakout offensive display would be a welcome sight sooner rather than later.
The Cleveland Indians are now 0-1-1 in Spring Training and will face the Texas Rangers Monday at 3:05 P.M.
