Indians Thursday recap: Pitching carries the day as Tribe beats Cubs 1-0

The Indians won their 7th straight game (save some for the regular season, fellas!) Thursday afternoon, defeating the Cubs 1-0 at Goodyear Ballpark.

Justin Masterson made his first in-game appearance in a week (his second scheduled game was rained out on Saturday) and pitched three innings, allowing 3 hits and a walk, and recording 3 strikeouts. He was followed by Aaron Harang, who pitched two innings, surrendering 2 hits and a walk while striking out a pair.

Next into the game was Trevor Bauer. A walk and two singles loaded the bases with one out in the 6th, but Bauer got a double-play ball to escape the inning. Bauer then got three swinging strikeouts in the 7th inning (along with another single allowed), including one of Kris Bryant, one of the top ten prospects in baseball.

C.C. Lee walked two but didn't allow either to score in the 8th, followed by Scott Barnes working a 1-2-3 9th inning to finish off the win.

Most of the Tribe's expected starters were in the lineup, and player 5+ innings. Nick Swisher had a single and a walk, and scored the only run of the game when Asdrubal Cabrera drew a bases-loaded walk. Michael Brantley, Jason Kipnis, and David Murphy each also had a hit, but the offense was fairly quiet.

Murphy also made a nifty play defensively, doubling up his cousin* Donnie on a line drive right field. It's good to know the Indians have the better Murphy.

*David and Donnie are not actually cousins, I just made that up for attention.

Carlos Santana was at third base again, this time for 7 innings. In that time two balls were hit his way (sort of). It's hard to get a read on either of them without video: In the 3rd he fielded a ball listed as a line drive by MLB.com, and threw to second for a force out. It's unclear if there was a chance for a double-play or not. In the 5th a Chicago hitter reached safely on a ball tat deflected off Harang to Santana. I would guess he didn't have a viable chance of throwing the runner out, but cannot be certain.

(find the full box score here)

The Indians play the Cubs again tomorrow, this time in Mesa. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 ET.