(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH -- Heading into the 9th inning, the Cleveland Indians had recorded just one hit, which was a bunt single off the bat of Delino DeShields in the bottom half of the 7th inning. Down by what felt like an insurmountable lead of two runs, Tyler Naquin got things started with a walk, only his fifth walk of the season. Jordan Luplow ripped an RBI double off the left field wall for what was the Indians second hit of the game. Delino Deshields stepped up again with a game-tying RBI single bringing home Luplow. With two outs and the game on the line, Cleveland second baseman Cesar Hernandez roped a game winning single down the first base line to walk off the Pirates by the final score of 4-3.
Despite taking a combined no-hitter through 6 innings, the Pirates pitching staff struggled to maintain their command. Pittsburgh pitchers walked a total of 10 batters while giving up four total hits.
In the top of the 6th inning, Carlos Carrasco appeared to be falling apart as he was faced with the bases loaded and no outs. The Cleveland right hander struck out slugger Josh Bell, then followed up the K with a double play ball off the bat of Gregory Polanco to tip-toe out of trouble. Adam Plutko relieved Cookie in the 7th inning, and later earned the win to move to a 2-25 record on the year.
The tribe have had three walk-off wins out of their last four games and continue to get hot before the playoffs begin. Cleveland will take on the pesky Pirates on Saturday evening for game two of the three-game series. First pitch on Saturday evening is set for 7:10 pm ET at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Check out highlights from the game below!