The 2015 Royals, en route to the World Series title, were famed for their weak rotation and lockdown bullpen. But on this night, the roles were reversed and the Indians came away with a 2-1 victory. Both starters pitched well: Carlos Carrasco went seven, allowing one run on five hits, two walks, and eight strikeouts. Jeremie Guthrie threw one more pitch than Carrasco, but it only carried him through 5 2/3 in which he allowed one run on just two hits (Brandon Moss’ homer provided the run, and Carlos Santana’s double drove him from the contest), one walk, and one strikeout.
Kelvin Hererra fanned three Indians in the seventh, but in the eighth Wade Davis issued two walks and a two-out single to Michael Brantley. Meanwhile, Indians pitchers retired the last seventeen Royals in order. The eighth inning, facing the Royals most dangerous hitters, was a now obsolete masterclass by Terry Francona in milking the platoon advantage to the maximum possible extent: lefty Nick Hagadone to get Mike Moustakas, righty Bryan Shaw to get Lorenzo Cain, lefty Marc Rzepczynski to get Eric Hosmer. Three batters, three pitchers, three outs, never to be seen again.
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