Cleveland Indians pitcher Shane Bieber wins All-Star Game MVP in his home ballpark as the All-Star festivities come to a close in Cleveland.
Sometimes all it takes is just one good inning of work. That is what happened with Shane Bieber Tuesday night. After pitching just one inning Shane Bieber came away with the All-Star Game MVP. In his lone inning Bieber struck out all three batters he faced on 19 pitches, 11 of which were strikes.
Shane Bieber winning the MVP is not all that surprising. The last time the All-Star Game was held in Cleveland (1997), Sandy Alomar Jr. won the award. These two are the only members of the Cleveland Indians to win the award. The only surprising fact about Bieber’s win is that he is the first pitcher to win the award since Mariano Rivera won it in 2013 and the first starter to win since Pedro Martinez in 1999.
Other Indians in the All-Star Game
Carlos Santana got the start at first base and unfortunately did not have a good night at the plate. Santana went 0-3 with one strikeout. Francisco Lindor also went hitless at the plate (0-2 with one strikeout). Lindor came in later in the game as a pinch hitter for George Springer and replacing Jorge Polanco in the field.
The worst showing from an Indians All-Star was Brad Hand. Hand pitched the eighth inning and let the National League back into the game. In just one inning Hand allowed two runs on two hits and two walks. Hand did manage one strikeout, but it just was not his night. The 33 pitches from Hand were the most that he has thrown all season. Hand managed 18 strikes but also threw 13 balls. Ideally that ratio is much more favorable in regards to strikes. Hopefully with the couple of hiccups Hand has experienced prior to the break paired with this performance things do not snowball in the wrong direction. Cleveland will need Hand to continue to be a lockdown closer as they get ready for the remainder fo the season.
