Very satifying win to avoid the sweep. The biggest positives were the performances of McKenzie and Clase. McKenzie went six innings and allowed two runs, but it should have been one if not for Zimmer throwing to the wrong base in the second inning after a deep fly to center. The only other run McKenzie allowed was a home run to Nelson Cruz on a pitch that wasn't a strike. Just an outstanding performance and you can see him growing up right before our eyes. He's overcome his biggest problem which was excessive walks and now he's attacking hitters with a nice mix of high fastballs and low breaking stuff.
Clase is now trusting his slider as he threw it something like 10 times in 12 pitches against the three lefties he faced in the 9th. That strikeout of Wendle was really impressive because Wendle is hot and handles the bat extremely well. He couldn't hit Clase's slider. Once Emmanual can start mixing the fastball and slider the hitters will have no chance.
No Franmil and Josie today so the Indians were without their two most productive bats, but pitching, defense, and some clutch hitting at the end carried them through. Kudos to Harold Ramirez for getting the game tying hit after starting the series 1-for-15. Cesar has the home run to open the game and the single to start the winning rally. Zimmer had a game saving catch against Yandy and then Mercado got him the next time.
Great job by Shaw, Karinchak, and Clase to close it.
The Indians went 3-for-29 with RISP in the series and they continue to chase bad pitches and get themselves out at an alarming rate. That has to change.
I'm really looking forward to next year when the rotation will be Bieber, Plesac, Civale, Quantrill, and McKenzie with Hentges, Morgan, and Mejia continuing their development at Columbus while providing depth.
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