(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA -- With two runners on and two outs, tribe catcher Roberto Perez jumped on the4 first pitch he saw and sent it over the left center field fence to put the Indians ahead 5-2 in the top of the sixth inning. Brad Hand came into the game in the 9th inning and shut the door on the Athletics, sitting them down in order. Hand earned his 11th save of the season and is now a perfect 11-11 in all save opportunities this season. The Indians avoided a three-game sweep with a 5-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
Excluding Roberto Perez' 3-run moonshot, today's game was a story of great defense and even better pitching. Jefry Rodriguez, who earned his first win as an Indian, threw 6 full innings, giving up 3 earned runs on 6 hits. The Indians bullpen was on fire, providing 3 innings of work and giving up 0 runs. Adam Cimber's outing was the most impressive, as he pitched an 8-pitch 7th inning, striking out two batters with a wicked slider.
In his first start of the season, Daniel Mendgen provided the Athletics with 5 1/3 innings of work, giving up 4 earned runs off of only 5 hits. The Athletics bullpen gave up 0 earned runs in a combined 2 2/2 innings.
The Cleveland Indians will continue their road trip as they will head to Chicago to take on the White Sox in a quick two-game series. Shane Bieber will go for the Indians and he will face-off against Reynaldo Lopez. First pitch on Monday, May 13th is set for 8:10 PM ET at Guaranteed Rate Field on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois.