Cleveland Indians: Tribe Narrowly Defeated by the Birds

7-16-11     at Baltimore     L, 6-5     49-43

     On Saturday night, the Indians and Orioles were following a script that appeared headed toward an eventual Tribe victory.

     Trailing 6-2 in the top of the 9th, the Indians, as they have done so often this season, valiantly battled back.  3 walks loaded the bases, and then Orlando Cabrera lofted a 2-out, 3-run double over the head of the center fielder, Adam Jones. 

     Another dramatic Tribe win looked to be inevitable. 

     However, Grady Sizemore grounded out to end the rally and the game.

     That frenetic conclusion did nothing to alter Carlos Carrasco's fate. Carrasco pitched fairly well - 7 IP, 3 ER - but he suffered his 3rd consecutive loss.

     In hindsight, the most critical point of the contest actually occurred in the bottom of the 8th.  Rafael Perez and Frank Herrmann, the 2 weakest links of Cleveland's dominant bullpen, allowed a total of 3 tallies as Baltimore padded its lead.

     Michael Brantley delivered a 2-run double in the 6th that knotted the score at 2 before Nick Markakis produced the eventual game-winning hit, a solo bomb in the home half of the 6th.

     Alfredo Simon, who currently faces involuntary manslaughter charges in his native Dominican Republic, earned the W.  A verdict could be reached next week, and, if he is found guilty, Simon may never pitch in the big leagues again.

Carrasco's offense almost bailed him out in the 9th