As Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez likes to say so eloquently, “Homerun pitch.”
A two-run bomb from Ramirez ended up being the difference, as the Indians defeated the Chicago White Sox, 3-1, in the latter matchup of the teams’ Memorial Day doubleheader.
For the Indians, you could not have asked for much more from starting pitcher Cal Quantrill. A long reliever for the Tribe’s bullpen, Quantrill has been asked to stretch his arm out more due to the doubleheader and flurry of injuries and issues with the rotation.
Manager Terry Francona mentioned postgame that the right-hander’s soft pitch count was at 55 pitches, exceeding that barely, throwing 60 in his Memorial Day outing. Quantrill finished with five strikeouts, allowing just one earned run on four hits in 3.2 innings.
I’ve got a need… A need for speed
Indians outfielder Bradley Zimmer has never been accused of being too slow. The centerfielder demonstrated his wheels again in today’s doubleheader, batting .500 (3-6) with two RBIs, including a hustle infield single in Game 1.
Francona was complimentary of Zimmer’s speed following the game, mentioning how his speed can change the game.
Combined with a good showing on defense today, Zimmer can secure a spot on the roster if he continues what he showed off today.
Light’s Out
The bullpen flexed its muscles in Game Two of the doubleheader, notably by reliever Emmanuel Clase, who allowed one hit, but struck out three batters in the bottom of the seventh to notch his ninth save of the season for the Tribe. Indians relievers combined for eight strikeouts and allowed just four baserunners after taking over for Quantrill.
Following a doubleheader the day prior against the Blue Jays, the bullpen was in a bind. Backs against the wall and down to their last few men in the pen, Kyle Nelson, Phil Maton, Nick Wittgren, and Clase all performed very well and stifled the potent White Sox offense.
What’s Next?
The Indians and White Sox will face off again on Tuesday, with the first pitch at 6:10 pm at Progressive Field. Starting for the Tribe will be reigning Cy Young award winner Shane Bieber (5-3, 3.13 ERA) against the division-leading White Sox, who will be trotting out the right-hander Dylan Cease (3-1, 2.98 ERA).
Jose Ramirez bashes his 13th home run in the Indians victory over the division leading White Sox
