CLEVELAND (92.3 The Fan) – Cesar Hernandez stepped up when the Indians needed him the most Friday night.
Hernandez hit the game-winning RBI double as Cleveland rallied to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-3 win.
The Indians (34-24) only had one hit until their final at-bats. Tyler Naquin started the rally with a walk and scored on an RBI double by Jordan Luplow. Delino DeShields, Jr. added an RBI single to bring home Luplow, tying the game at 3. Hernandez delivered the knockout punch with an RBI double that sealed the victory.
“It was a weird game,” Indians interim manager Sandy Alomar said. “There were many walks, a lot of runners left on base, but at the end of the day they still fight. We were close enough to cash that one in.”
Cleveland, who has had a walk-off win for the third time this week, did not record a hit until the seventh inning, when DeShields bunted for a single off Pittsburgh (18-40) pitcher Sam Howard.
“I was honestly surprised they weren’t playing over – especially with a lefty on the mound,” DeShields said. “If (Howard) threw anything over the play, that’s an easy hit for me. If I get the pitcher and first baseman comment to the ball there’s no way the second baseman will get to first base.”
DeShields didn’t know the Indians were getting no-hit.
“I wasn’t even realized I broke up the no-hitter until I got to first base,” DeShields said. “I was trying to do my job and get the runner to scoring position, and give us a chance to tie the game up.”
Pitcher Carlos Carrasco had a decent outing for the Indians in his final regular season start. The right-hander went six innings, gave up three hits and two runs, and struck out eight.
“Cookie was OK ... he gave up that home run to (Gregory) Polanco on a hanging changeup,” Alomar said. “I was encouraged on what I say and he struck out eight guys.”
The Indians scored their first run of the game in the first. Mitch Keller walked Francisco Lindor, Cesar Hernandez and Jose Ramirez to load the bases. Carlos Santana hit into a double play, allowing Lindor to score to give Cleveland its only run of the game.
Roster Update
Cleveland moved left-hander Logan Allen from the taxi squad to the 28-man roster and optioned infielder Yu Chang prior to Friday’s series opener against Pittsburgh.
Allen, who has made two relief appearances this year, could be in line to start Sunday’s regular-season finale at home, but the Indians have yet to make a final decision.
Adam Plutko (1-2, 5.06) is another option to start Sunday. Plutko has appeared in nine games, starting four and recording one save in 26 2/3 innings.