The Cleveland Indians were in a total free-fall after Wednesday.
The team lost two games in a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays and failed to record a single hit in the second game.
That made it a nine-game losing streak and it was easy to start talking about all the trades the Indians could make.
But then the Kansas City Royals came to Cleveland to save the day.
Sunday’s series finale was postponed due to weather, which ended up being great news for the Royals.
The Indians took the first three games, with two coming via the walk-off home run.
Saturday’s win was a nice, fun, blowout victory that actually capped off the first half of the season.
Today’s Indians-Royals game has been postponed. They’ll play a doubleheader on September 20.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) July 11, 2021
Much-Needed Walk-Off Wins
The Indians returned home with a 42-42 record and a losing streak intact.
Yet Zach Plesac took the mound Thursday in a sign that the roster is healing and returning to some sense of normal.
Need more evidence of that?
Franmil Reyes won the game with a three-run blast that showed just how much he was missed during his own injury absence.
Friday’s game was arguably better as it saw two young, future stars lead the way.
Triston McKenzie pitched out of his mind with nine strikeouts in seven scoreless innings.
The best part was the fact he only allowed one walk in what was a career performance for him.
However, the offense was struggling and it was a 1-1 game heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Bobby Bradley stepped to the plate and the Royals decided to go right at him.
Bobby Bradley makes it back-to-back walk-off wins!! #WWindians#OurCLE | @Indians pic.twitter.com/REyeo0YSQp
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) July 10, 2021
That was a mistake, as he launched a ball over the wall to give his team back-to-back walk-off wins.
Seeing McKenzie and Bradley play hero on the same night was great for fans and the organization, as it proves the young talent is coming along when needed.
Saturday’s Comfortable Bashing
Friday’s 2-1 victory was riveting, but Saturday was the hit parade the team needed.
The Indians scored 14 runs on 17 hits on a day that saw Oscar Mercado drive in four runs from the eighth spot in the order.
At the top, Cesar Hernandez drove in three runs and hit his 15th home run of the year.
Arguably the best part was seeing young pitcher Cal Quantrill log six innings of three-run work.
He reached 90 pitches on the day as well in what was his second solid start in a row.
Quantrill coming along at the same time as McKenzie would be huge for this rotation now that Plesac is back as well.
This was the best possible way to end the first half, so maybe Sunday’s rain ends up being a good thing as it gives everyone an extra day of rest.
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