Carrasco Comes Within One Pitch of Shutout

Sep 7, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) celebrates in the dugout after the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Reborn Right-Hander Pitches 8.2 Scoreless Innings, K’s Eight

Carlos Carrasco’s dominance reached a new level on Sunday.  He came within one strike of a complete game shutout before Indian killer Jose Abreu slapped a 1-2 pitch into left field for a single.  It was only the fourth hit of the game allowed by Carrasco, who was pulled at that point in favor of closer Cody Allen.  Allen got the final out, and the Indians walked away with a sweep of the division rival Chicago White Sox.

Carrasco received the only support he needed in the first inning.  Michael Bourn smacked his AL-leading 10th triple of the season  and scored off the bat of Michael Brantley to put the Tribe up early.  Roberto Perez would later score on a groundout in the 8th inning for a bit of insurance.

The Positives

Carrasco, obviously.  He has now allowed just three earned runs in six starts since returning from the rotation, posting a 4-0 record.  Brantley drove in another run in his third consecutive multi-hit game.  And Bourn’s legs are looking good as new.  Perez had two hits as well.  Cody Allen seems back to normal. All very, very good news for the Tribe moving forward.

The Negatives

Lonnie Chisenhall went 0-for-3 and is suddenly mired in a slump, hitless in his last 12 at-bats.  J.B. Shuck has yet to get a hit in an Indians uniform.  Not much else to dislike in this game.

Check It Out
-In six starts since returning to the rotation, Carrasco has averaged over six innings per start. He’s also averaged seven strikeouts, half a run and less than a walk per outing.
-Carlos Santana drew his 100th walk of the season.
-Danny Salazar takes the mound tomorrow, after a turn of the rotation in which 3 of 5 Tribe pitchers threw at least 8.2 innings, and 4 of 5 threw at least seven while allowing one run or less.