Cleveland Indians defeat Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 – MLB Update
In a game that saw Travis Hafner finally resurge, the Cleveland Indians beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Friday, June 17 at Progressive Field, Cleveland.
Hafner managed to hit a double for a run in the eighth to give the first victory to the Indians in the three-game series.
While the cheer was omnipresent at the home ground and the team camp with fans celebrating the win, Hafner struck a humble note and said, “I just tried to be a presence in the middle of the order. It was a fun night."
The game began with Josh Tomlin pitching for the Indians. Tomlin did give up any hits and pitched a shut-out inning followed by Kevin Correia’s scoreless first inning against the seemingly straining Indians’ offence.
However, after the two uneventful innings, Asdrubal Cabrera finally opened the Indians’ account with his single, providing a 1-0 lead to the home team. Tomlin, on the other hand remained beyond the Pirates’ hitters to play.
Carlos Santana homered to right in the fifth inning to double the lead for the Indians which was reciprocated by a single that Xavier Paul scored in the sixth inning. Tomlin gave up two hits in the inning.
Vinnie Pestano was then tasked to pitch after Tomlin was relieved. Josh Tomlin gave up six hits and no walks, successfully striking-out five of the Pirates’ hitters in just over six innings he pitched.
The Indians, which had an ostensibly shaky 2-1 lead up until the seventh inning came forward strong in the eighth inning when Daniel Moskos was dispatched to pitch, relieving Chris Resop.
Travis Hafner, who was in the disabled list until a few days back did not disappoint his team with his arrival. He doubled to deep right to take the faltering Indians’ offence lead to 3-1 followed by Carlos Santana who singled to right, securing a needed
4-1 lead for the Indians.
"It proves that even a rehabbing Hafner can help our lineup," Acta said after the Hafner was taken off the disabled list and put in an excellent effort for the team.
Orlando Cabrera hit a sacrifice fly in the same inning, which saw an altogether four hits, to take up the lead to 5-1 in overly eventful inning. Hafner gave a solid foundation to his fellow hitters in recharging the Indians’ offence.
Once the Indians took the rein of the game, Tony Sipp pitched a shut-out ninth inning to accomplish an emphatic 5-1 win for the team in the three-game series’ first encounter.
Cleveland put in a brilliant performance to dominate over the Pirates for an exciting victory. Pittsburgh fought hard, but it was not enough to contain the Indians’ offence.
The Indians will play the second game against the Pirates on Saturday.
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