Cleveland Indians: Tribe Comes From Behind To Win Despite Poor Play

8 - 19 - 10     at Kansas City     W, 7 - 3     50 - 71

     Due to the Indians' awful play as of late, Manny Acta felt inclined to call a team meeting prior to the Tribe's series finale in Kansas City.  And it looks like the players received the message.  Well, sort of.  While the Indians were able to win the game on the stength of a tremendous late innings rally, they also committed five errors.  So, yes, the Tribe was able to avoid a sweep, but their defense sure has not gotten any better.
     Mitch Talbot, who has failed to win a game since June 27th, was only able to last 4 2/3 frames on this night, and he left trailing 3 - 0.  He did not pitch poorly, however he was victimized by poor play behind him and a bit of bad luck.  In the 5th, he almost worked out of a bases - loaded jam, but he surrendered a weak, two - run single off the bat of Wilson Betemit that barely even made to the outfield grass.
     Cleveland waited until the 8th to finally break out or their offensive slumber.  Trevor Crowe hit a one - out single and advanced to second base courtesy of a wild pitch.  He then scored when Matt LaPorta laced a RBI single to center following a 13 pitch at - bat.  That feisty plate appearance turned the whole game around and it was the primary reason Kyle Davies, the Royals' starter, headed to the showers a few batters later.
     Following Davies' exit, the Indians continued to pile on against the K.C. bullpen.  Shelley Duncan blooped a RBI single down the right field line, and Michael Brantley followed that up with a walk to load the bases.  Gregor Blanco's sensational diving catch in deep center on a ball that was crushed by Asdrubal Cabrera, kept the game tied for the moment as the play went for a sacrifice fly.  The next batter, Shin - Soo Choo, chopped a run - scoring single into right, and the Tribe had the lead for good.  Prior to the inning's conclusion, Travis Hafner picked up a RBI on an infield single, and the Indians headed to the 9th up by two.
     Cleveland scored a couple more times in the 9th, but the big news was the injury to Michael Brantley.  The Tribe's center fielder turned his ankle on a RBI grounder to shortstop.  Brantley never even made it out of the batter's box and he had to be helped off the field.
     Chris Perez was forced to record four outs to get his 15th save.