CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Indians finally hit the road again on Saturday night. They loved him.
It didn’t matter that one of his buses had broken down on the way to Pittsburgh. Zach Plesac, who pitched five innings in a 5-3 victory over the Pirates, still had time to take a nap.
Francisco Lindor said it felt like they were back in the Cactus League taking a trip to Mesa or Scottsdale.
“It was a little bit more than normal,” Lindor said.
The best part of Saturday night’s game at PNC Park was playing against another team instead of their teammates. The Indians had played eight games within the squad before confronting the pirates.
“I was tired of hitting our own pitchers,” said Lindor, who hit his first at-bat.
Plesac allowed two runs with six hits in five innings. He struck out six and didn’t hit a batter.
“I thought my things were working very well,” said Plesac. “Berto (catcher Roberto Pérez) and I just attacked the plan with which we headed to the game. I shifted, pitched well, and I think I kept his lineup out of balance for most of the night. “
He allowed both runs in the fifth on a two-run single by Guillermo Heredia. Jacob Stallings doubled up against Heredia on a drive that bounced in and out of left fielder Domingo Santana’s glove.
“This was fun,” said Plesac. “I have to take a nap on the bus. Definitely exciting to pitch at a different stadium. They had the music of the crowd playing. It was a good atmosphere. It felt like there were fans there. It felt like it was as serious as a real game. “
Plesac and Lindor were passengers on the bus that broke down.
“On the way here we had to change buses,” he said. “It reminded me of this time in the minors when I was in Lynchburg. We had to get everything out from under the bus and put it on the side of the road waiting for the next bus. Meanwhile, spiders are climbing all over our things. It’s 105 degrees outside. We’re in Virginia. It’s wet and the semis are humming. “
On Saturday, it appeared that the Indians dispatched a fleet of SUVs and vans to bring stranded players to PNC on time.
“They were on the transportation road for a while,” manager Terry Francona said.
The Indians lost 3-0 in the eighth. But George Valera and Beau Taylor walked to start the inning against reliever Kyle Crick. Tyler Freeman hit a single to load the bases and Christian Arroyo unloaded them with a double, missing a grand slam by one foot, to put it 3-3. Yu Chang followed up with another double to put the Tribe ahead to stay.
Greg Allen’s infield single in the ninth made it 5-3 after Daniel Johnson started the inning with a double. Phil Maton threw the ninth to save.
Arroyo, who has no options, is competing with Mike Freeman and Chang for the manager’s work.
“In the last week we have seen where he has that swing at his bat where he can change the game,” said Francona. “She got a hanging ball that broke tonight and she really did a good job with it. He is trying to get reps under his belt because he hasn’t been healthy in a while.
“But there is a lot of pedigree on his resume, just a few years ago. He was a great prospect. Now he’s trying to put the representatives to his credit so we can see what he can do. “
Arroyo, the Giants’ No. 1 pick in 2013, replaced third baseman José Ramírez in the sixth inning. His first at-bat came with the bases loaded in the eighth.
“It’s always a good test, especially so late when we’re getting so close to the season,” said Arroyo. “Kyle Crick is a good pain reliever. I love being put in that situation. I love racers. Especially when we are depressed.
A variety of Cleveland Indians face masks available online today. (Fanatics.com)
New Indian face masks for sale: This is where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed facial liners for coronavirus protection, including a mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charity.
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