Indians Split Doubleheader, Drop Night Cap 1-0

Aug 13, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pinch runner Xavier Paul (14) celebrates after scoring in the twelfth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Chafin Rubs Indians Wrong Way in MLB Debut

A broken bat base hit in the top of the 12th inning proved to be the difference on Wednesday night as the Indians fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks, 1-0. It was quite the contrast from earlier in the day. If you recall, the Indians rallied to win 3-2 on a walk-off homer from Zach Walters. With the loss, the Indians split the doubleheader and saw their record fall back to an even .500 on the season.

The story of the second game today, much like the first, was the pitching. Both sides brought their A-games to the park today.The Indians limited the Diamondbacks to just that 1 run on eight hits and four walks. They also struck out 10 along the way. Leading the charge for the Tribe was starter Josh Tomlin. He was solid, but managed to only last 50 pitches in 5.1 innings of work.

He did get some help from Tyler Holt. All Holt did was go 4 for 8 on Tuesday and make one heck of a catch out in center field.

Tyler Holt Diving Catch

For the Diamnondbacks, youth was the main course on the mound. Andrew Chafin, a native of Kettering, OH and former Kent State Goden Flash was solid in his major league debut. Over the course of five innings of work, he shut the Indians offense down, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out three.

Once the starters were out of the game, you figured that one or both of the offenses would see this as an opportunity to get on the board. Not so. Both bullpens were fantastic in the night cap. Arizona’s relievers threw seven innings and allowed five hits and two walks. They never really provided the Indians with any real opportunities to score.

Meanwhile, the Indians bullpen also kept the Diamondbacks off the board for nearly the exact same amount of time. However, unlike the Diamondbacks, they provided ample opportunities for a Arizona to break the game wide open. But, in typical Cleveland fashion, the bullpen would bend but not break thanks to timely strikeouts and some spectacular defensive plays.

Ryan Raburn. Nick Hagadone probably owes him the naming rights to his first born son after this catch.

Ryan Raburn Catch

In the end though, the Indians couldn’t keep Arizona from crossing the plate. In the top of the 12th inning, a lead off walk to Alfredo Marte was the beginning of the end. After a sacrifice advanced Marte to second, it was a broken bat single up the middle, just out of the reach of Jason Kipnis, that would allow him to score.

Game winning hit

Addison Reed came on in the bottom of the ninth to retire the side, but not before Lonnie Chisenhall could make it interesting with a two out double down the line in right. Reed would pull himself together, though, and struck out Jason Kipnis on a fastball high and away to end it.

The Indians now find themselves sitting at .500 with a record of 60-60. They are 5.5 games back in the AL Central and 5 games back in the wild card. They will enjoy a day off on Thursday before welcoming the Baltimore Orioles to town for a three game series starting on Friday.

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