With a win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, the Cleveland Indians had an opportunity to tie the Kansas City Royals for first place, who lost to the Tampa Bay Rays, 14-7.
White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu ensured that they did not get a chance to…
The reigning MVP blasted a moonshot home run that landed about five rows below the scoreboard in left field in the fourth inning. He later followed that up with an RBI single in the sixth and a solo shot in the seventh to lead the White Sox to victory on Tuesday night.
Indians starting pitcher Zach Plesac (1-3, 6.75 ERA) was pulled from the ballgame in the sixth inning, but not before surrendering six earned runs in five innings pitched. The right-hander also struck out four batters, while also giving up seven hits, and was credited with the loss.
"He just made some mistakes and paid for them," Indians manager Terry Francona said about Plesac following the loss. "He made some strides tonight. ... He'd make a couple good pitches and then he'd leave one over the middle [of the plate]. I think it cost him."
I think a couple [fastballs] leaked over the plate and they're an aggressive lineup so they jumped on it," Plesac told reporters following the game. "They didn't miss … For as well as I was feeling tonight, the runs they scored didn't really justify how well I felt out there."
All Time Lup-Low
The Tribe's offense did receive a valiant effort from outfielder Jordan Luplow, who finished the day 1-2 with a solo home run in the third inning to keep the team in the ballgame early. He also walked three times and scored twice.
"I'm out there to help the team win," Luplow said after the game. "Just taking competitive at-bats each day. No matter, [if it's] righties or lefties, day or night, just going out and putting competitive at-bats. That's the goal."
Tribe slugger Franmil Reyes also played well, finishing 3-4 at the dish with an RBI and a walk of his own.
Not So Perfect...
It was the team's first time playing against White Sox starter Carlos Rodon since the lefty threw a no-hitter against the team last week. Rodon, now 3-0 with 0.47 ERA after earning the win, followed up his performance with a solid, yet shaky five innings pitched, with eight strikeouts and five walks, while throwing 110 pitches.
New Kid on the Block
Indians reliever Sam Hentges made his MLB debut late in Tuesday night's ballgame. The young southpaw had some impressive pitches, striking out three and allowing only one hit in his lone inning. The problem? That one hit was Abreu's second home run of the night in the seventh.
Overall, a good start for the young ballplayer, whose family and fiancé were in attendance to see him make it to the show.
What's Next?
The Indians are scheduled to play the White Sox tomorrow at 6:10pm at Progressive Field with Aaron Civale taking the hill for the Tribe. He will enter the contest with a 3-0 record and has yet to allow a run in the 2021 season.