Gomes carries the Indians back to .500 to close out the first half

Game 94: Indians 3, White Sox 2

Box Score

Tribe improves to 47-47

There is a song that is sung in our house, much to the chagrin of Mrs. USSChoo, when Yan Gomes does something impressive. The only lyrics are, "Get your Yan on!" followed by a soccer-esque "ohhh-ohh-oh!" Needless to say, the song rang loud and clear this afternoon.

Trevor Bauer turned in another great performance going 6 2/3 innings while striking out a career best 10 batters. He would allow 8 hits and 3 BBs, but he wouldn't allow a run and worked his way through the baserunners without relinquishing control. Trevor will also get the first start after the break on Friday and I have been more than thrilled about his performance to date. Even when he hasn't had his best command, he's shown that he can command the game. I'm excited to watch his continued progression in a Tribe uniform.

The offense couldn't get much of anything to materialize off of John Danks all day. He gave up 7 hits and walked 2, but the Tribe bats could only break through in the 2nd. With runners on 1st and 2nd, Gomes hit a groundball up the middle that got through, plating Ryan Raburn who had walked. After that, it would be 5 consecutive innings of static.

Right now, Ryan Raburn has no business being in the lineup. He came into the game with a slash of .203/.248/.270 and went 0 for 3 with a BB. The Indians should be able to replace that production very easily. He is owed another $2.6M between next year and 2016's buyout, but it is my opinion that it is time to cut bait. I'd rather his ABs go to a defensive specialist that can at least handle a glove and run the bases. His offense sure won't be hard to replicate.

I don't think anyone is looking forward to the break as much as Jason Kipnis. He looks completely lost at the plate, going 0 for 4 with 2 more strikeouts. His defense is also still shakey.

In the top of the 8th, a wild pitch by Bryan Shaw moved the runners to 2nd, who was promptly drive in by a Gordon Beckham single to tie the game. The White Sox would go up after a grounder towards second snaked under the glove of Kipnis. It was ruled a hit but it was clear that Jason should have had it, meaning that, at the very least, the runner wouldn't have scored.

The general mood watching the game was that it was over at the point. But an unlikely rally starter, Nick Swisher, lead off the 8th with a single to left. Swisher had the only other decent game at the plate today with 2 hits on the day. With a 1-0 count, Gomes drove a ball towards the right field corner that just found it's way foul. Clearly a little upset, he made sure not to be so fine with the next pitch, depositing it into the visitor's bullpen for a 2 run, home run. 3-2, Tribe.

Cody Allen would come in the 9th to close out the game with a perfect inning which included 2 K's. Cody has a strangle hold on the closer's role and it doesn't look like he's giving it up any time soon.

The Indians now go into the All-Star Break sitting at an even .500. As of writing this article, the Royals and Tigers are tied in the 7th. So the Indians will either finish the half 7.5 games back and in 3rd or 8.5 games back and tied for 2nd in the AL Central. Either way, there is still a lot of work to be done.

Win Expectancy Chart:

Source: FanGraphs

Roll Call:

Game Thread

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