Indians 13, Rangers 9: Mighty Casey Blake Paces the Offense

Casey Blake set the tone for Monday night's game against the Texas Rangers. 

He’d already blasted two homers and tallied seven RBIs by the fourth inning.  Both teams hit like offensive powerhouses, notching 31 hits between them, as Texas came back to tie the contest at 8-8 with a grand slam.  In the end, Cleveland won 13-9.

Something must have been in the water for drawn-out contests.  Flip-flopping between the Indians/Rangers and the Penguins/Red Wings, one had to wonder if either slugfest would ever end. 

Cleveland won that battle as well, closing their game out earlier than the three OT win by the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Can you say rough workday Tuesday morning? 

Blake was the man, and it appeared he’d win the game single-handedly.  He put the Tribe up 2-0 in the top of the second with his fifth home run of the season.  David Dellucci, standing on second when the ball went out, had a double of his own before Blake’s two-run shot.

After the Rangers narrowed the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the second, Blake hit another two run shot, giving Cleveland a 4-1 cushion, this time with Ryan Garko on third base. It was Blake’s sixth of the year.

The Tribe wasn’t done in the inning though; Shin-so Choo got himself on with a great bunt toward third.  An Asdrubal Cabrera double scored Choo from first, putting the Indians up 5-1.

Every time the Tribe scored, Texas came right back.   They tallied two on a Michael Young single and a home run to left by Josh Hamilton, making it 5-3.  It was the first home run Aaron Laffey has given up all season. 

Casey Blake went to work again in the fourth.  After a Victor Martinez walk, a Ryan Garko single, and a Jhonny Peralta single that loaded the bases, Blake looped a double into the right field corner, scoring all three.  8-3, Indians.  Game over?  Think again!

In the bottom of the fifth, the Rangers tied it at all eights.  Ian Kinsler doubled to lead off the inning, and one batter later Young knocked him home with a single.  Hamilton singled and Milton Bradley walked, loading the bases for Marlon Byrd. 

Byrd delivered the grand slam in style, making Tribe fans wonder how eight runs could not be enough to win.

In the top of the seventh, the Indians went back on top on a Cabrera single and a Ben Francisco home run.  10-8 Tribe. 

True to form, the Rangers got one back in the bottom half of the inning.  David Murphy singled, and Byrd walked.  Rafael Perez came on to pitch for Cleveland.  Chris Shelton immediately singled, bringing home Murphy.  10-9….here we go again.  But Perez buckled down and struck out Jarrod Saltalamacchia to end the threat.

In the top of the eight, the score-fest finally drew to a close. After a Garko line-out,  Peralta doubled.  Dellucci homered.  12-9 Indians. 

Blake didn’t see anyone aboard, so he flied out—might as well save your hits for base runners.  Choo walked, Cabrera walked, the runners moved up on a wild pitch, and Grady Sizemore walked, loading the bases.  Ben Francisco was the fourth walk of the inning, and Choo jogged home making it 13-9. 

Masa Kobayashi earned a hold for his scoreless bottom of the eighth, and Joe Borowski pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, preserving the win, but not getting a save because of the four-run lead. 

BOOM!!—Indians' hitting slump over.  Two game skid over.  Fans are happy. 

During the game, the Indians announced Jake Westbrook would go back on the DL.  Rumor has it Heath Slocum will be called up for the Tuesday start.  8:05 CT. Be there, or miss the fireworks.