*Photo from TSN*
The Cleveland Indians were looking to go out with a bang. They will become the Guardians next season, and their game on Monday afternoon, although a makeup game, was the last time they'll take their home field as the Indians. Amed Rosario homered, Bradley Zimmer homered, and the Indians defeated the Kansas City Royals 8-3 on Monday afternoon.
Although they still have a few more regular season games to go, it's the last time they played at Progressive field known as the Indians. It ends a 106 year run in the city of Cleveland, featuring some legends like Jim Thome, Larry Doby, and Bob Feller. The Indians story comes to a close with two world series championships, but none since 1948, which is the longest active title drought in baseball. It will continue on, under a different name.
In the top of the first inning, Salvador Perez got the Royals on the board with an RBI double, making it 1-0 pretty early on. In the bottom of the first, the Indians scored twice to take a 2-1 lead, thanks to an RBI double from Rosario and a sac fly from Franmil Reyes. In the second, an RBI double from Andres Gimenez made it 3-1 in favor of the Indians. In the top of the 3rd, an RBI single from Perez and an RBI double from Andrew Benintendi tied the game 3-3. In the bottom half, Rosario hit a solo homer to give the Indians a 4-3 lead.
In the 5th inning, Myles Straw scored on a ground out, increasing the lead to 5-3. In the 6th, Rosario drove in his 3rd run with an RBI single, giving the Indians a 6-3 margin. In the 8th, Austin Hedges scored on a sac fly from Gimenez, and Zimmer hit a solo home run to right field, which sealed the game with an 8-3 score.
Rosario had a great performance at the plate for the Indians in this game, getting 4 hits in 5 at bats and driving in 3 runs. His latest 4 hit game was the 6th time Rosario has had at least a 4 hit game this season, which leads the majors in that category, ahead of Fernando Tatis Jr and Starling Marte, who each have 5 games of at least 4 hits.
Indians starter Cal Quantrill said of Rosario that "He's been fantastic. He's bouncy, he brings energy every time he plays. It's pretty incredible. Seems like we were joking today, he goes 2-for-2, it's almost automatic he's going to go 3-for-3. He's been a joy to have at short. The energy level and the consistency with which he plays the game is very important to us pitchers and it's admirable."
Quantrill got the start for the Indians, and picked up the win, getting the final home win as the Indians, improving his record to 8-3 this season. Quantrill allowed all 3 runs while giving up 6 hits, walking no one and striking out 5 hitters in 6 innings pitched. Trevor Stephan and Bryan Shaw each picked up a hold while working the 7th and 8th innings, and Emmanuel Clase shut things down in the 9th.
Jackson Kowar took the loss for the Royals, dropping to 0-5 this season in what has been a struggle in the major leagues, despite performing well in Triple A. Kowar allowed 5 runs on 7 hits and one walk, striking out 4 hitters while lasting 4 1/3 innings. Gabe Speier and Joel Payamps each pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief, and Kyle Zimmer added one at the end of the game.
Kowar discussed his season long struggles, saying that "I’m getting a little tired of having to come here and say that, and take us out of games. There’s only so many times where I grinded or battled. Today, that’s not a battle day. That’s a day where your offense is clicking early and you got to go out there and win your team a game. It’s not a game where you’re battling through and eating innings. I got to go out there and do my job. I did not do that today."
The Indians and Royals will start a series and play each other again on Tuesday, but it's gonna be in Kansas City. Aaron Civale will get the start for the Indians, and Brady Singer goes for the Royals.
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