Recap
Box Score
Win Probability Added @ Fangraphs
Highest WPA:
Rafael Betancourt .127
Asdrubal Cabrera .126
Travis Hafner .114
Lowest WPA:
Casey Blake -.075
Trot Nixon -.068
Jhonny Peralta -.026
The Indians scored their 6 runs on just 7 hits, but two of those hits were home runs (scoring three runs between them). Travis Hafner hit a two-run in the first inning, his first round-tripper in almost a month, Grady Sizemore followed with a right-center blast in the third. The early lead kept away Minnesota's tough relievers later in the game, and the Indians added a couple key insurance runs off Carmen Cali. Without those two runs, the Twins take the lead in the ninth, and the Indians have to score a run off Joe Nathan.
Borowski made one bad pitch in the ninth, a mistake slider to Brian Buscher. Jason Tyner then laid down a perfect bunt, and Jason Bartlett doubled on a deflection off third base (Casey Blake was in perfect position to field the ball, and the odds were good of turning a double play). Torii Hunter hit a sacrifice fly, and then the Indians had a decision to make: with first base open, do you pitch to Justin Morneau, or walk him and face Michael Cuddyer? Wedge opted to face Morneau, though likely signalling Victor to stay on the outside portion of the plate. Borowski made three perfect pitches (two sliders and a fastball), and struck Morneau out to end the game.
The Indians now have their largest division lead (3.5 games) since early June, and have the opportunity of effectively ending Minnesota's chances of taking the division with a win tonight.
Next Up: House money in hand, the Indians and CC Sabathia try to beat Johan Santana for the fourth time this season. Game time is 7:05 PM.