CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Indians hit three home runs en route to a 8-4 win over the Yankees on Saturday afternoon.
Oscar Mercado, Roberto Perez and Kevin Plawecki went deep for the Tribe, helping them pick up their fourth win in five games.
Mercado’s two-run homer in the fifth inning gave the Indians the lead and they never looked back.
Suga, suga, how you get so fly? ✈️#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/Zv8ji5bRPp
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians)
June 8, 2019 Perez hit a two-run homer of his own in the sixth inning. It was his fourth-straight game with a home run, which is the longest streak of his career. Mike Napoli was the last Indians player to have such a streak. He hit home runs in five-straight games in 2016. Perez finished with two hits and three RBI.
Adam Plutko didn’t get off to a good start for the Tribe. He gave up a two-run homer in the first inning to Didi Gregorius. He rebounded nicely, retiring 16 of the next 17 batters he faced. Pluko allowed two runs in six innings of work, finishing with four strikeouts.
Oliver Perez struggled out of the bullpen, allowed two runs in ⅓ of an inning. Adam Cimber came on to minimize the damage, as the Yankees scored two runs in the seventh. Nick Wittgren walked one, but didn't allow a hit in the eighth. Closer Brad Hand shut the door on the Yankees in the ninth, but wasn't awarded a save since the Indians had a four-run lead. He's allowed one run since April 15 and has 19 saves on the season.
The Indians have won three of their last four series. The wins have come against Boston, Minnesota and New York.
Earned every one of those 447 feet, Bebo.#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/FcL12qPpOu
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians)
June 8, 2019 Top of the Order – The Indians' first four hitters combined for seven hits, scoring five of their seven runs. Jordan Luplow went 2-for-2, Francisco Lindor finished with two hits and Mercado raised his batting average to .300. The Indians finished with 12 hits.
One Final Goodbye – CC Sabathia started for the Yankees on Saturday afternoon. It was
his last start at Progressive Field. He allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings. The 38-year-old hoped to get win No. 250, but the Indians didn’t let that happen. The six-time All-Star will retire at the end of the season.
Up Next – Shane Bieber will be on the mound on Sunday, as the Indians go for the sweep. The Yankees haven’t announced a starter. Masahiro Tanaka was scheduled to start, but he was placed on the paternity list and is expected to start on Monday against the Mets. Beiber is 5-2 on the season with a 3.57 ERA for the Indians.
