CLEVELAND, Ohio – Max Kepler hit three home runs off of Trevor Bauer and the Twins beat the Indians 5-4 to avoid a sweep on Thursday night.
Bauer allowed five runs and five hits in eight innings. Kepler was hitless in his last 12 at-bats going into the game. He finished with four RBI. Bauer lasting deep into the game was big for a bullpen that pitched nine innings in Wednesday’s win over the Twins. Bauer threw 119 pitches (77 strikes). His ERA rose to 3.93. He's 4-6 on the season and hasn't won a game since April 30.
We just scheduled jaw reconstruction surgery for tomorrow morning.You might want to do the same.#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/topU4VKx0q
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) June 7, 2019The Indians attempted to rally from a four-run deficit for the second consecutive night. They trailed 5-1 in the seventh, when Tyler Naquin hit a RBI single that made it 5-2. Roberto Perez hit a sacrifice fly to make it 5-3. The rally ended with a Francisco Lindor ground out.
Oscar Mercado hit a pinch-hit home run in the ninth, but it wasn't enough to complete the comeback. The Indians are 3-3 against the Twins this season.
Three in a Row – The Indians were scoreless until Perez’s solo home run in the fifth inning. He’s homered in three straight games, which gives him a career-high 10 on the season. He’s known for his defense, but Perez has added some power to an Indians’ lineup that needs it.
Roberto Pérez can't stop hitting home runs.#VoteBebo | #RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/SaLbI7q1ie
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) June 7, 2019Health Update – Mike Clevinger made his first rehab start for Triple-A Columbus on Thursday night. The 28-year-old allowed four runs and three hits in two innings. He threw 59 pitches (36 strikes) and had four strikeouts. Manager Terry Francona said Clevinger would throw more pitches in the bullpen after his outing. The Indians’ goal is to promote him to the big leagues if all goes well in his next start for the Clippers.
Up Next – The Indians begin a three game series with the Yankees on Friday. Zach Plesac will be on the mound for the Tribe. He’ll go up against Domingo German, who is 9-1 with a 3.66 ERA this season. It’s Plesac’s third start in the big leagues. He’s 0-1 with a 1.46 ERA.
