Stubbs Races Home With Winning Run, Indians Defeat Nationals 2-1

The Cleveland Indians beat the Washington Nationals in walk-off fashion by a final score of 2-1 to even their record at 33-33 on the season. The victory went to Joe Smith (3-0, 1.19 ERA) and  Fernando Abad (0-1, 1.00 ERA) took the loss for the Nationals as their record falls to 33-33.

The crowd of 30,824 were on their feet as the Indians had Drew Stubbs at 3rd base and Michael Bourn standing at 2b with Jason Kipnis at bat. With the infield in tight Kipnis sent a smash to Adam LaRoche who came up throwing to the plate but Stubbs slid underneath the tag of Kurt Suzuki  to give the Tribe the victory.

The Indians pitching staff held the Nationals to 1 run on 2 hits striking out 13 and walking 4. Justin Masterson was masterful in controlling the Nationals for 7 innings allowing only a single run on 2 hits striking out 10 and walking 4. He made 113 pitches (71 for strikes) and delivered a first pitch strike to 18 of 27 batters he faced. Cody Allen came in and worked a scoreless 8th striking out 2 and Joe Smith worked a scoreless 9th striking out 1. 

The Nationals scored their only run in the top of the 3rd inning. After loading the bases with 1-out Masterson uncorked a wild pitch to allow Kurt Suzuki to score but Masterson came back to strike out Ryan Zimmerman and retired Adam LaRoche on a ground out.

Gio Gonzalez started for the Nationals and worked 7 innings allowing 3 hits striking out 8 and walking 4. He made a career high 127 pitches (73 for strikes) and threw a first pitch strike to 16 of 28 batters he faced.

The Indians got their only run on the evening in the bottom of the 4th inning when Ryan Raburn hit his 8th home run on the season. It was Raburn’s third career home run off Gonazlez.

The Indians had their opportunities against Gonzalez as well. The Indians loaded the bases with 2-out to bring Mark Reynolds to the plate but he popped out to second.

Reynolds had a chance at redemption in the bottom of the 8th inning loading the bases with 1-out but once again he was unable to deliver as Tyler Clippard struck him out.

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The Good:

The Indian pitching staff dominated the Nationals lineup only piling up 13 strike outs including 10 by Justin Masterson in 7 innings of work.

The Bad: Mark Reynolds failed to capitalize on two bases loaded opportunities.