Recap
Box Score
Win Probability Added @ Fangraphs
Highest WPA:
Jake Westbrook .339
Ben Francisco .294
Joe Borowski .143
Lowest WPA:
Josh Barfield -.154
Ryan Garko -.135
Travis Hafner -.122
Even in light of the Indians' recent offensive struggles, I think that Edwin Jackson was really good tonight. He's always had the stuff to thrive in the majors, but tonight, he had the control to make it effective. Because he was spotting his slider in the strike zone, he was able to catch Indians hitters sitting on it, and threw his fastball by them.
Jake Westbrook was very good in a very unconventional way, and I'm fairly certain that it was intentional. The Devil Rays are a very aggressive team, and love to key on fastballs. Westbrook, instead of going with his trademark sinker, relied on sliders and changeups to get outs. His strikeout of Ty Wigginton in the first came on three straight changeups. Even noted Westbrook/Tribe killer Carlos Pena couldn't get to Jake; he struck out four times tonight, three against Westbrook.
But ultimately, the night belonged to Ben Francisco, who picked a very nice time to hit his first major-league home run: a tie game, the bottom of the ninth. However his career unfolds, he'll always have this moment to look back on.
Next Up: Sabathia vs. Howell, 7:05 PM