#340---KC @ CLE, 7/24/2020

 

This was Opening Day of the shortened season for these two teams, and Shane Bieber quickly served notice that 2020 was going to be his year. He shut out Kansas City for six innings allowing four hits and one walk with fourteen strikeouts. Three of the first four Royals reached base, but Adalberto Mondesi was caught stealing to short-circuit that potential rally. The Indians got the only runs Bieber would need in the fifth, and inning lead off by Jordan Luplow getting hit (of course). Each Indian reliever allowed a single baserunner in a single inning of walk, all on a free pass of some sort – two were hit batters as this game saw a whopping five.

#339---MIN @ CLE, 6/4/2019

 

On this night, the Bomba Squad was beaten at its own game. All seven runs scored on homers, but the Indians hit four to the Twins two. Marwin Gonzalez and Eddie Rosario both took Shane Bieber deep, but otherwise the Twins managed just three hits, one walk, and six strikeouts over Bieber’s seven innings of work.

For Cleveland, Francisco Lindor hit homers in consecutive at-bats in the third and fifth (he also walked and doubled), and Roberto Perez and Jake Bauers went back-to-back in the seventh.

#338---CLE @ MIN, 6/1/2018

 

Eduardo Escobar’s two homers powered the Twins to this 7-4 victory over the Indians. Eddie Rosario outwalked the Indians 2-1, which is never good sign; that they were both intentional walks, even less so; that the Tribe’s lone walk was drawn by Francisco Lindor to lead off the game, not particularly relevant.

#337---CLE @ BAL, 6/19/2017

 

The Indians bludgeoned the Orioles pitching staff, with some of the standout offensive performers being Jose Ramirez (3-6, 2 doubles, 1 triple); Carlos Santana (2-2, HR, 2 walks, SF); and Austin Jackson (2-4, 2 doubles, 1 walk, 3 RBI). Each accounted for almost more offense that Corey Kluber yielded to Baltimore in a brilliant complete game shutout (three hits – all two-out singles, no walks, eleven strikeouts, 108 pitches, no runners reaching second base). And he finished with a flourish, striking out the side in the ninth.