Cleveland Indians: Edwin Encarnacion finally had his big moment

Cleveland Indians slugger Edwin Encarnacion won Tuesday’s game in dramatic fashion, and finally had a highlight to remember in 2017.

Baseball can be weird at times, but that is the beauty of the game we all love.

Cleveland Indians fans have witnessed the team have an up and down season in 2017, and Tuesday night’s game was a perfect illustration of the entire season.

The Indians jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the second inning, only for the Los Angeles Angels to tie things up at 7-7 in the sixth inning. That would be all the scoring until the 11th inning, as some defensive web gems from Michael Brantley and Bradley Zimmer kept things even.

Then came the moment Indians fans have been waiting to see since Edwin Encarnacion‘s signing was announced. After the Angels spent quite some time deciding to put five players in the infield with the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the 11th, Encarnacion made that decision look meaningless by sending the ball into the left field bleachers.

A lot of people will have that on repeat for quite some time.

Encarnacion had a big game last Friday, going 3-4 and driving in four runs in a 13-3 victory for the Indians. It was one of his better games of the season, but fans were still looking for an iconic moment from the $60 million man.

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A walk-off grand slam is about the coolest thing one can do in professional sports, and last night’s bomb from Encarnacion should quiet those who still feel the need to say he wasn’t worth the money.

Not to be lost among all the excitement, Bradley Zimmer had a grand slam of his own Tuesday night, which drove in four of the team’s seven runs that came around to score in the second inning.

He went 3-5 in the leadoff spot and had two stolen bases, while he also had some highlight plays in center field that helped make up for when he got picked off earlier in the game.

After limping back home following a rough trip to the Bay Area, the Indians have now won five straight games and have been able to hold off the Kansas City Royals, who have won seven straight. The home record is above .500 and the Indians have the reliable Carlos Carrasco on the mound tonight.

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A walk-off and five straight wins are awesome, but seeing Encarnacion get such a big hit is a sight fans have been waiting for all year. Hopefully there will be plenty more legendary moments from the slugger and his parrot before the season is over.