Cleveland Indians Roundup: Indians Lose to Toronto Blue Jays, Sign Nolan Jones, Designate Michael Martinez

Cleveland Indians lose, snap the winning streak

The Cleveland Indians’ magical winning streak came to an end yesterday with a heart-breaking 9-6 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. In an attempt to salvage their disrupted pitching staff, the Indians attempted to use pitch a “bullpen game” to get their starting pitchers back on schedule. Unfortunately, the plan did not end well, as the Blue Jays knocked around starter Zach McAllister and chased him from the game before the second inning. 

More from Away Back Gone

• Cleveland Guardians tantalizingly close to locking up AL Central tiebreakers
• Cleveland Guardians: Terry Francona becomes meme in profanity-laced ejection
• Say goodbye to defensive shifts and hello to bigger bases, pitch clock in 2023
• Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber second-fastest to 800 strikeouts in major-league history
• The next week will make or break the Cleveland Guardians’ season

Jeff Manship then pitched a scoreless second inning to bridge the gap to rookie starter Shawn Morimando. Through just under four innings in his major league debut, he allowed two runs on a home run by Troy Tulowitzki. He did manage to strike out four batters during his brief tenure with the major league team.

The game stayed close for the longest while, but the Blue Jays eventually pulled ahead for the final time in the bottom of the eighth inning. Dan Otero surrendered the losing run on the first home run that he had allowed all season, and the Indians simply could not catch the Jays despite Rajai Davis’ cycle. Davis is now the first member of the Cleveland Indians to do so since Travis Hafner in 2003.

On a different note, the Cleveland Indians signed their final top draft pick yesterday. Nolan Jones, whom pundits considered difficult to sign, inked a deal with the Tribe that came in well over the slot value. The deal came in with a value of $2.25 million, over a million dollars more than the 55^th overall pick in the draft.

Finally, the Cleveland Indians designated Michael Martinez for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Shawn Morimando. Martinez had been a pleasant surprise for the Indians this year. His offensive skills have been completely lacking, and he frequently owner a batting average below the Mendoza line. While his offense was still bad with the Indians this year, it was much better than the torture he submitted Philadelphians to for several years.

More from around the American League Central:

Cleveland Indians Lose 9-6 Despite Rajai Davis’s Cycle – Wahoo’s on First

Cleveland Indians Recall Shawn Morimando; Designate Michael Martinez – Wahoo’s on First

Cleveland Indians Sign 2^nd Round Pick Nolan Jones – Wahoo’s on First