Zach Plesac allowed four runs and four hits in 4⅓ innings. He issued two walks and finished with three strikeouts. The rookie right-hander left runners on the corners in the fifth inning with just one out. Oliver Perez came in and gave up a 3-run homer to Bryce Harper, which gave the Phillies a 5-4 edge, their first lead of the series.
Former Indians Jay Bruce (1) and Brad Miller (2) combined for three home runs, which helped Philadelphia keep their slim wild card hopes alive.
The Indians’ 5-game winning streak is over. They fall to 91-64 on the year with seven games left.
“Another really good day for him,” president Chris Antonetti said on Saturday afternoon. “Obviously (he) took live batting practice off both a left-handed pitcher and right-handed pitcher and he felt good, so we’re right now in the process of assessing where he is now and what the plan will be. But hopefully in the not too distant future he’ll be in action for us.”
It’s a good sign for Hand, who has struggled over the past few months after a dominant start to the season. He has 34 saves on the year, which is third in the American League. The Indians hope he settles in and can resume his closing role in the near future.
“The goal is to get him to that (closer role),” Chris Antonetti said. “How quickly that happens is hard to say exactly.”
The Indians host the Phillies on Sunday evening, in what will be the final regular season game at Progressive Field this season. Adam Plutko will get the start for the Tribe. He’s 7-4 on the year with a 4.34 ERA. Vince Velazquez will be on the mound for Philadelphia. He’s 7-7 with a 4.89 ERA.