Asdrubal Cabrera guides Cleveland Indians over Boston Red Sox 3-2 - MLB Update
Asdrubal Cabrera hammered a homer and hit a leading run in the eighth inning as the Cleveland Indians overpowered Boston Red Sox 3-2 in the first outing of the three-game home series, at the Progressive Field on Monday night, May 23.
With the Indians trailing 2-1, centre-fielder Michael Brantley entered the plate for his fourth at-bat and drove in a single to right-field off the Reds’ reliever Daniel Bard to tie the game at 2-all. Cabrera, who has launched a homer in the fourth inning,
again came into action this time with a much-needed RBI single to take his Club into a leading position 3-2.
As the Indians’ starter Justin Masterson has given away two runs over his pitching, he was pleased to see his batters retaliate in the later phase of the inning.
Masterson said, "We're just going out and winning ballgames. It is a different person every night. It's been a lot of fun."
Dustin Pedroia hit an RBI single off Masterson in the third inning to shatter the scoreless outing.
The Reds’ could not enjoy the lead for long as Cabrera, who had two homers and five RBIs on Sunday, launched a terrific 408-feet long one-run homer off the Reds’ starter Clay Buchholz, to tie the game 1-all.
However, Carl Crawford took the game back into the Reds’ side, striking a 388-feet long one-run homer in the top of the fifth inning and this time Buchholz did not let the opposition get near to the lead.
Buchholz finished his spell allowing just two runs on four hits and walking two while he got four strike-outs. However, as soon as Bard replaced him the game went out of their hands and into the Indians side.
The Indians’ closer Chris Perez double played Crawford, one of the toughest players in the Majors to double up, as he cemented his thirteenth save of the season.
"Who would have thought that you would get a double play on Carl Crawford?" asked Indians manager Manny Acta said. "These guys always feel like they have a chance to win."
Despite Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner on the disabled list, the Indians have won their 30th game of the season.
"We have to scratch and claw and do everything we can until those two big guys are back," Acta said. "We need to hang in there."
Relievers’ Rafael Perez, Joe Smith and closer Chris Perez each remained scoreless over their short spells.
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