*Photo from TSN*
Jordan Luplow has always hit left handed pitchers well. He just struggled against righties. So far this season, he has hit righties as well as lefties. Jose Ramirez tied the game in the 8th, Luplow hit a walkoff two run homer, and the Indians topped the Minnesota Twins with a 5-3 win in 10 innings Monday night.
Brent Rooker got the Twins on the board in the second inning, making it 1-0 on a solo homer. In the 4th, Nelson Cruz scored on a sac fly to make it 2-0 Twins. In the 6th, the Indians tied it on an RBI single from Eddie Rosario and another RBI single from Franmil Reyes. In the top of the 8th, Luis Arraez gave the Twins a 3-2 lead on an RBI single. In the bottom of the 8th, Ramirez hit a solo homer to tie the game at 3. In the 10th, Luplow hit a two run homer to end it.
Luplow said of his better hitting performances this season that "I want to say it’s my mentality. Going into this year I definitely changed it. I definitely wanted to show the real player I am against righties, lefties or whoever is pitching. Just mentally showing up to spring training ready to go and competing every at-bat. Just putting together good at-bats for the team and collecting some wins."
Emmanuel Clase got the win for the Indians, throwing a scoreless 10th inning in relief, striking out one hitter. Zach Plesac got the start for the Indians in a no decision, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and one walk, striking out 4 over 7 2/3 innings pitched. Bryan Shaw threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings after Plesac departed.
Indians outfielder and first baseman Josh Naylor said of Luplow's walkoff that "Luplow is meant for the occasion. He doesn't back down from pressure. I'm thankful for him. He's such an awesome player. We're just going to carry this momentum to the next few games and hopefully come out with a few more W’s and win games. That's all that matters."
Alex Colome got the loss for the Twins, allowing the two run homer to Luplow with no one out in the 10th inning. Jose Berrios started for the Twins, allowing two runs on 5 hits and one walk, striking out 3 hitters in 5 2/3 innings. Hansel Robles, Taylor Rogers, and Tyler Duffey also pitched for the Twins.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said of the Twins recent grind of games that "The number of extra-inning games and the number of these types of ballgames that we’ve played through the first 21 games is almost not believable. I mean, it's pretty crazy. All of our ballgames are not going to play out like this, but when we do have them, we’ve got to know we can go out there and win these kinds of games."
The Twins and Indians face off again tonight at 6:10 Eastern Time, with Kenta Maeda starting for the Twins, and Aaron Civale going for the Indians.
Comments
Post a Comment