INSIDE PITCH
So far this season, the first-place Indians have seemingly always been able to find a way to win. Tuesday night, they won almost without swinging their bats. The Indians gladly accepted 11 walks from Tampa Bay pitchers in a 5-4 victory.
The game ended on a walk-off walk drawn by Michael Brantley with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was a game in which the Indians' used patience at the plate because being aggressive wasn't working.
Cleveland went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 13 men on base. It was a rare game for the Indians in that they didn't hit with men in scoring position. They came into the game third in the majors with a batting average of .318 with runners on second base, third base or both.
Resourcefulness has been a constant for the Indians this season. They are now 14-2 at home, and each of their last four wins in Cleveland has come in their last at-bat.
The Indians were unable to score with a runner at third and less than two outs three times Tuesday, but they still won.
Grady Sizemore and Brantley, probably the two fastest players on the team, both hit into rally-killing double plays. Neither had hit into any double plays prior to Tuesday, yet their miscues still didn't derail the Indians.
NOTES, QUOTES
--RHP Frank Herrmann was recalled from Class AAA Columbus (Ohio) for his third big-league stint of the season. He had an 8.31 ERA in four outings for the Indians last month. Cleveland will have to make another roster move today to clear a spot for RHP Carlos Carrasco (right elbow tightness) to come off the disabled list and start against the Rays.
--CF Grady Sizemore's leadoff home run Tuesday was his first to open a game since Aug. 27, 2009, at Baltimore. It was also the 22nd leadoff home run of Sizemore's career, extending his own franchise record.
--RHP Josh Tomlin gave up his eighth home run of the season Tuesday. That's the bad news. The good news: seven of the eight have been solo homers. He allowed three runs in six innings during a no-decision against the Rays.
--RHP Mitch Talbot threw 63 pitches in a four-inning outing Monday in extended spring training at Goodyear, Ariz. Manager Manny Acta said Talbot, out since mid-April with a right elbow strain, probably would need two more appearances against minor-leaguers before he is activated off the disabled list.
--INF Jared Goedert began a rehab assignment with Class AA Akron on Tuesday, going 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout. He has been on the 60-day disabled list since late March due to a strained abdominal muscle.
--RHP Jeanmar Gomez, who was optioned to Class AAA Columbus on Monday, had so-so statistics in his four appearances with the Indians, but he still impressed Manager Manny Acta. In four appearances (three starts), Gomez was 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA. "He threw better his last two outings," Acta said. "He struggled a little with his mechanics, but he did well."
--RHP Alex White is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in his first two major league starts. "He is a tremendous competitor and has a good heartbeat when he's on the mound," manager Manny Acta said.
BY THE NUMBERS: 14-2 -- The Indians' record at home. It's the first time in franchise history the Indians have begun a season with a home record of 14-2.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Things weren't going very good. That was obvious." -- Manager Manny Acta, on the Indians, who until winning Tuesday's game on a walkoff walk in the bottom of the ninth, were 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--RHP Carlos Carrasco (right elbow tightness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 25. He made a rehab start for Class AA Akron on May 6, and he is expected to be activated May 11 to start that day against Tampa Bay.
--RHP Mitch Talbot (strained right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 12. He threw a bullpen session May 3, and he pitched in extended spring training May 9. He is expected to face minor-leaguers at least twice more before returning to the Indians.
--INF Jared Goedert (strained abdominal muscle) went on the 60-day disabled list March 30. He began a rehab assignment with Class AA Akron on May 10.
--OF Trevor Crowe (right shoulder surgery in March 2011) went on the 60-day disabled list March 30. He will be out until at least late July.
