Rare bullpen woes cost Indians in 2-1 loss

Gif Recap of Tonight’s Game

Actual Recap but as a Weird Catechism

Did the Cleveland Indians win tonight?

No, the Indians lost by a final score of 2-1.

How did Shane Bieber pitch?

Shane Bieber worked around command issues to post a quality start. He walked four (yeah) and struck out nine while allowing a single run. It’s encouraging to see the ace of the staff give his team every opportunity to win on a night when he didn’t have his best stuff.

Where there opportunities for the offense to help?

Yes, and they failed to capitalize all six times they batted with a runner in scoring position. The only RBI of the game came when Carlos Santana singled and Franmil Reyes doubled immediately after.

Shouldn’t that last word be “afterward”?

Or “afterwards”? I can never remember and when I’m this depressed in the middle of a recap there’s absolutely no way I’m going to double check.

That’s bad journalism, isn’t it?

Man, if you’re looking for journalism I don’t know how you ended up here.

Were the Royals pitchers especially effective?

No, they weren’t. The Indians had eleven of the thirteen hardest-hit balls tonight. Seven of them were outs. The average xBA on those outs was .475.

How did the Indians squander the lead?

James Karinchak struggled in the 8th inning. He recorded a single out, while walking two and allowing an RBI single. To his credit, he took ownership of it.

Cimber came on to clear the jam Karinchak created and jostled it loose instead, allowing the go-ahead run to score on a Bubba Starling single. He, too, struggled with location tonight. Cimber also couldn’t figure out the signs from Roberto Pèrez, dragging out a painfully slow and depressing inning.

Did Adalberto Mondesí try to bunt?

Yes.

Did Adalberto Mondesí bunt?

No.

How many chances did Adalberto Mondesí have to bunt?

Six. He tried to get the bunt down six times and struck out looking after pulling the bat back on a fastball over the middle of the plate. Yes, he was trying to bunt with a full count.

The Indians lost to that?

The Indians lost to that.

Were there other bright spots for the Indians tonight other than Franmil Reyes and Shane Bieber?

Jordan Luplow made what was either an excellent or awful catch in left depending on whom you ask. To me, it was excellent in outcome, awful in execution, and delightful to experience. The out prevented multiple runs from scoring and happened only because Luplow stayed on his feet and stuck his glove out while turning both directions at once.

Also, Cesar Hernandez continues to excel in the leadoff role. Tonight he singled and drew a walk.

Did any Indians from today’s trades impact the game?

Josh Naylor entered the game as a pinch hitter in the top of the ninth with two outs and the tying run in scoring position. He grounded out to second to end the game.

Does that mean the Indians lost the trade?

I’m going to kill you.

What’s up next for the Indians?

They take on the Royals again tomorrow night. Zach Plesac returns from his ostracism and faces off against Matt Harvey, who once yelled at his manager and then proved to the world that the manager was right all along.