(Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH -- Shane Bieber, who has gotten off to a stellar start to his season, got jumped on early and often in tonight's Easter matchup. Josh Donaldson, also known as "The Bringer of Rain" made an instant impact. "The Bringer of Rain" got the Braves on the board in the first inning with a solo shot to straight-away centerfield. In the second inning, Donaldson connected on a fastball above the letters, tomahawking the baseball over the left field wall and into the home run porch, putting the Braves ahead 5-0. Despite the tribe making some noise towards the end of the ballgame, the Braves were able to hang on, defeating the Indians by the final score of 11-5.
Tribe starter Shane Bieber went just 2.1 innings, giving up 5 earned runs off of 5 base hits. Cody Anderson, looking to redeem himself after giving up yesterday's go-ahead run, ate up 2.2 innings, giving up 2 earned runs on 4 hits. Frankie Lindor hit his first moon shot of the season, belting a solo home run to left field to put the Indians on the board in the 7th inning. Roberto Perez hit a solo shot off of his former teammate Josh Tomlin, Perez finished the game going for 3-5 with 1 RBI.
The Atlanta Braves power hitters were on one tonight, as Donaldson, Freeman, and Albies combined for 8 RBI. Braves' prospect pitcher Max Fried gave it all he had tonight, pitching 6.1 innings. giving up only 2 earned runs on 7 hits. Former Indian Josh Tomlin closed the game out for the Braves, pitching 2 innings, giving up 2 earned runs.
The Cleveland Indians will begin a short 2-game series against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, April 23rd. The Indians will go with Carlos Carrasco, as the Marlins will give the ball to Pablo Lopez. First pitch is set for 6:10 PM ET at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.