CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Indians finished with 12 hits and picked up their fourth straight win, beating the Tigers 7-2 on Wednesday night.
Oscar Mercado got the Tribe started in the third inning with a two-run single that gave the Indians a 2-0 lead. Mercado has five hits, including three home runs and six RBI in this series.
-- @Osc_merc bats 2 in for an early @Indians lead! --Watch on FOX Sports GO:https://t.co/hCV9AS51bD pic.twitter.com/0zvCs9Tm2D
— SportsTime Ohio (@SportsTimeOhio)
July 18, 2019 Mike Clevinger pitched well in his seventh start of the season. He allowed one run in six innings, allowing six hits. Clevinger tied a career-high with 12 strikeouts. He struck out every player in the Tigers’ lineup at least once. It was his eighth career double-digit strikeout game (third this season).
Mike Clevinger, 12Ks in 24 seconds.------------------------ pic.twitter.com/e10sFPVTUQ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja)
July 18, 2019 José Ramírez continues his stellar play for the Indians. He had three hits on the night, extending his hitting streak to nine games. He’s doubled in four straight contests.
Ramírez raised his batting average to .232, which is a season-high. He’s 24-for-68 (.353) in his last 18 games, with three home runs and 12 RBI.
Tyler Naquin finished 2-for-3, with two singles. It was his fifth multi-hit game in a row.
Cleveland pulled away in the eighth inning, scoring four runs. Francisco Lindor hit his 15th home run of the season, which gave the Indians a 4-2 lead. They scored three more runs later in the inning on an RBI single from Jason Kipnis and an RBI double by Greg Allen.
-------- - @Lindor12BCWatch @Indians ⚾️ on FOX Sports GO:https://t.co/hCV9AS51bD pic.twitter.com/v0FKTBnMK2
— SportsTime Ohio (@SportsTimeOhio)
July 18, 2019 The Indians improve to 54-40 on the season. They’ve won 15 of their last 18 games. The Twins lost to the Mets earlier in the day, so Cleveland is four games behind Minnesota in the American League Central Division.
Freeman Impresses – Mike Freeman started at shortstop on Wednesday and filled in admirably for Lindor, who was the Indians designated hitter. Freeman went 2-for-3 with one RBI. His slid headfirst into first base to beat out an infield single so Ramírez could score and give the Indians a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning. Freeman continues to do whatever he’s asked, which has helped him earn more playing time.
Up Next – Trevor Bauer takes the mound for the Tribe. He’s 8-7 on the season with a 3.65 ERA. He has 160 strikeouts this season, which is tied for third in Major League Baseball (prior to Wednesday’s games). Matthew Boyd will start for the Tigers. He’s 6-7 on the year with a 3.95 ERA.
