CLEVELAND, Ohio- The Cleveland Indians walloped the Texas Rangers on Wednesday by a final score of 9-1. The Tribe got out to a strong start early thanks in large part to two Edwin Encarnacion blasts. With Corey Kluber on the mound for Cleveland, it was already expected to be a long day at the plate for the Rangers lineup. Being put into an eight-run hole surely didn’t help matters.
Encarnacion had been experiencing the same cold spell he did in his first season with the team during the opening months of the season. Something about the cold tends to bother Edwin it appears after he spent his days in Toronto playing inside of a dome during home stands. But just like the 2017 season, Encarnacion has begun putting a whole lot of hurt on the baseball as the weather begins to warm up.
In fact, Encarnacion could be due for an even bigger 2018. While his average isn’t anywhere close to where it should be, the power is above par. After the month of May last season, Encarnacion had a total of ten home runs. We’re two days into the same month and the long-ball total is currently at nine.
Not only was it a great day outside but an Indians win was also delivered. Let’s look at the three takeaways from this one.
1. Power Supply- If you were one of those wondering if the Indians possessed long-ball power throughout their lineup, rest assured knowing they do. Three home runs were belted by Indians hitters on Wednesday, that being by Encarnacion and Kipnis. It led to the huge supply of Cleveland runs through the first three innings.
But that wasn’t the only positive to take away from the Indians offense in this one.
Cleveland earned eleven hits on the afternoon and saw everyone in the order except Yonder Alonso and Roberto Perez record at least one hit. It was apparent on the field that the confidence was starting to brew within the lineup both at the dish and whi to carry For a team that is still trying to find a consistent rhythm to the offense, Wednesday was much needed.
2. Kluber Being Able To Relax- In all reality, it wasn’t an ideal Corey Kluber start on Wednesday. But if we’re being honest, 75% of Kluber would’ve been able to pick up a win in his outing today.
Kluber went seven innings and allowed three runs by way of three solo shots. But he still struck out six and didn’t walk a batter all in 99 pitches. The defending AL Cy Young Winner had a lot of leeway to work with and did quite fine. It’s not every day he gets the run support he saw Wednesday, so it’s a nice surprise to watch him work while not worried about a single error costing him a victory.
3. On The Same Page- It has been a minute since both sides of the Indians have put it together at the same time. But on Wednesday afternoon, the offense and defense both produced at a high level.
After putting up nine quick runs, Kluber settled into a groove and the offense kept pouring it on with no intent in letting up. It allowed the pitching staff to relax and even gave the bullpen a nice break for the most part. Dan Otero and Ben Taylor were the only relievers to take the hill and they made short work of the Rangers lineup.
With a doubleheader against Texas on deck, this was the perfect tune-up game for the Indians.
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