The Cleveland Indians were able to win their second straight game over the New York Yankees thanks to seven unanswered runs.
Things did not initially look like they were going to the Indians way Saturday. Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius hit a two-run home run in the top of the first giving New York a 2-0 lead. Luckily the Indians rallied with seven unanswered runs to put things away by the sixth inning.
Jose Ramirez drove in Cleveland’s first run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. Carlos Santana scored on the play. Roberto Perez would follow with a game-tying double. In the fifth inning Francisco Lindor doubled with two outs to give Cleveland a run scoring opportunity. Oscar Mercado would follow with a two-run shot to give the Indians a 4-2 lead.
Jordan Luplow got things started in the sixth with a leadoff single. After a Jose Ramirez strikeout, Roberto Perez homered for his fourth consecutive game. With two outs in the inning Kevin Plawecki came through with a solo shot to give the Tribe a five run lead. Cleveland’s eighth and final run of the game came on a Plawecki sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.
Adam Plutko pitched surprisingly well
Cleveland got quite the start out of Adam Plutko. Plutko looked to be in trouble early but was able to work his way deep into the game. Plutko allowed two runs on three hits while striking out four. This was a much improved performance when compared to his last start where Plutko was hit around rather easily. Tampa managed to score seven runs in just over five innings last week. Plutko rebounding with a performance like this against a potent New York lineup is encouraging.
Oliver Perez struggled in his one third of an inning. Perez allowed two runs in the seventh inning bringing New York’s run total to four. Adam Cimber followed and shut things down in the seventh inning. Nick Wittgren locked down the eighth inning and is credited with his seventh hold of the season. Although it was not a save situation Brad Hand came on in the ninth. Hand allowed one hit in the inning but was able to strikeout Giovanny Urshela to end the game.
