Pitchers For Tonight's Game
- Indians: Mike Clevinger (8-2) 3.11 ERA
- Royals: Glenn Sparkman (3-8) 5.40 ERA
The first inning started off well for the tribe as Mike Clevinger was able to retire the side in just 6 pitches.
In the bottom of the first Francisco Lindor continued to set the tone for the tribe as he lead off the bottom with a single. With two outs and Lindor on first, Puig was able to advance Lindor to second with a single. Jose Ramirez was due up next, with the count 2-1 Jose would swing and injury his right wrist. Due to the injury Jose would leave the game in the bottom of the second. Replacing Ramirez was Mike Freeman. Freeman would enter the game on a 2-2 count. Freeman who was walked, loading the bases for second baseman Jason Kipnis. Kipnis would fly out to centerfield leaving the bases loaded and keeping the score 0-0 going into the second.
In the top of the second inning Alex Gordon would ground out to second making it one out and no one on. Up next for the Royals, was Cheslor Cuthbert who would fall victim to Clevingers second strike out of the game. Royals catcher Meibrys Viloria had the third at bat of the inning. Viloria would take advantage of the opportunity as he would get a single. But Royals first baseman Ryan O'Hearn would ground out into a fielder's choice where Lindor would make the play at second ending the inning, with the score still 0-0.
The bottom of the second would give Franmil Reyes his first at bat of the night, on a 2-2 count Reyes would fly out to left field. Tyler Naquin was next in the inning. Naquin would work the count and with a full count Sparkman would walk Naquin putting a man on first with one out. Roberto Perez would line out center. Lindor would have a chance against Sparkman in the bottom of the second. Lindor would fly out to center. keeping the score 0-0 going into the third.
In the third Clevinger would continue to pitch a spectacular game. Merrifield would get a two out single after a great play by Lindor would fall short. for the Royals Soler would try to advance the runner, But Soler would be the third strikeout of the game.
The bottom of the third would start with a double by Oscar Mercado. Carlos Santana would have a chance to bring Mercado home but he would strike out. With one out Puig would be strike out giving Sparkman his third strikeout of the game. Freeman would get the run scored with a single making the score 1-0 in favor of the Indians. The next two runner would get on base. The Franmil Reyes would change the game with a 3 RBI home run to left giving the Indians the lead of 4-0 going into the 4th.
In the 4th Clevinger would continue to build on a already solid game. Clevinger would strikeout the first two batters. But would then walk Cuthbert and give up an RBI double to Viloria making the score 4-1 in favor of the Indians with 2 outs left in the top of the 4th. Ryan O'Hear would have a 7 pitch at bat that would end in Clevingers 7th strikeout of the night. The Indians batters would cool off in the bottom of the 4th keeping the score 4-1.
The Royals would lead off the inning with single with a error by Mike Freeman, but the next two batters would do a great job advancing the runner to third. With two outs, Clevinger would walk Soler. Hunter Dozier was the next batter up to the plate. With a five pitch at bat Clevinger would would get his eighth strikeout of the game. Keeping the score 4-1 in favor of the Indians. The Indians would start the bottom of the 5th witha Puig Fly out to right, Mike Freeman in for the injured Jose Ramirez would single to center. Jason Kipnis was up next and would strike out. Bringing Reyes up to the plate with 2 outs and Freeman on first. Reyes would ground out to a fielder's choice. Keeping the score 4-1 going into the 6th inning.
In the top of the 6th Clevinger would begin to show the signs of fatigue, when Royals third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert would hit a double. After a great play for an out by Santana to Clevinger the Indians would bring in pitcher Olivier Perez with 2 outs and 1-2 count, Perez would have to throw only one pitch and get the strike out ending the inning. Upon the call of strike out, Royals Hernandez would throw his helmet down to the ground and get ejected from the game. Ending the inning with the Indians leading 4-1. In the bottom of the 6th Royals would make a pitching change to Tim Hill who would pitch very well in the 6th. Hill would pop out one, and strike out two.
In the 7th inning The Royals would get the best of Perez and load the bases with the first three batters. The Indians would go to the bull pen. Adam Cimber would come in. Cimber would allow 1 run and work his way out of a bases loaded jam, keeping the Indians in the lead 4-2. In the bottom of the inning the Indians 2 and 3 hitters both would line out to Centerfield. The 4 hitter Yasiel Puig in a 6 pitch at bat would be lead to a walk. Just one pitch in to Freemans at bat, Puig would be picked off at first. But the Indians felt the need to challenge the call, after a few minutes the Umpires in New York would decide that Puig was indeed out. Keeping the Indians with a 4-2 lead going into the 8th inning.
The Indians would send Tyler Clippard to the mound in the top of the 8th, Clippard would cause Cuthbert to ground out to short. Then Viloria would ground out to the catcher. For the third out of the inning Clippard would cause O'Hear to fly out to center. Keeping the score 4-2.
Both Teams would go 3 up and 3 down in the 8th inning.
In the top of the ninth. The Indians would bring in Closer Brad Hand. Brad Hand would give up a single to Arteaga to lead off the inning. Bubba Starling would be brought in to Pitch Hit, Hand would strike out Starling. Next was Whit Merrifield who would pop out to third base. Brad Hand would then cause Soler to hit into a fielder's choice. The final of the Game would be 4-2 as the Indians would win.