Semi-Finals: Tribe(2) defeats Twins(5) in 6

Thanks to Chris for a great series!  Below is a series recap.

Game 1

The series opens with Kluber facing Santana at Progressive Field.  Kluber starts of strong and winds up with 14 K’s in only 6 IP, but manages to get hit for 4 runs along the way. Santana manages to go 6 plus innings pitching in and out of danger allowing only 2 runs.  Twins hold on for a 5-4 win, holding off a Tribe rally in the 9^th allowing 2 runs, leaving the tying run on first base.

Twins lead series 1-0

Game 2

Carrasco squares off against Berrios in a pitcher’s duel in the second game.  We’ll just call this the Lonnie Chisenhall game, going 3 for 3 with 2 solo homers and a Tribe 2-0 win to even the series.  Obviously both starters have strong outings, and this is just a precursor what to come later in the series.

Series tied 1-1

Game 3

The venue switches to Target Field as Bauer faces Gibson in the all-important Game 3.  Twins jump out to an early lead with a run in the first.  The Tribe answer with 3 in the second.  Gibson lasts only 3 plus innings, surrendering 5 runs, 3 earned, and Bauer goes 5 innings and turns it over to the pen to hold the lead on the way to 6-3 Tribe victory.

Indians lead series 2-1

Game 4

Twin starter Mejia and Tribe starter Clevinger lock up in a pitcher dual.  The teams trade 4^th inning homers by Encarnacion and Sano and head into the 6^th inning where the Twins push 2 across and take a 3-1 lead.  Despite being out hit 10 – 6 the Twins bullpen hold off the Tribe to tie the series at 2 games apiece.

Series tied 2-2

Game 5

Game 1 starters Kluber and Santana face off again, but with a different outcome today.  The Tribe play long ball with Santana, taking him deep 4 times in route to a 5 -2 Tribe victory.  Encarnacion goes yard twice in the win. Kluber goes 6 plus for win, picking up 8 K’s along the way.

Indians lead series 3-2

Game 6

In an epic pitcher’s duel Game 2 starters Carrasco and Berrios face-off in the potential series clincher.  The bats go cold as each team collects only 2 hit each on the day as pitching dominates.  A lead-off homer by Kipnis in the 4^th and a two out double by Ramriez later in the inning and Tribe hold off the upstart Twins to win the series 4 games to 2.

Indians win series 4-2

 

--submitted by Stan Skawinski--