Tuesday was a bizarre night for the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals.
The umpires, led by Angel Hernandez, did their best to alter the outcome of the game.
But the teams moved passed the unnecessary drama and the Indians came out on top.
And ultimately, Jake Bauers was a hero.
Jake Bauers’ Tough Year
We have admittedly picked on Bauers here because of his slow start.
The first baseman is out of minor league options and did nothing to boost his own case for staying in the month of April.
He drove in a total of two runs with an OPS of just .493.
However, he does have an xBA (expected batting average) of .280 because of how hard he is hitting the ball.
That shows he has been dealing with some bad luck and the front office is clearly aware of that.
But he finally had his breakthrough Tuesday night.
Say it with us: Jake Rakes! ⬇️ @Indians | #OurCLE pic.twitter.com/8jhlrBp8Eq
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 5, 2021
Bauers’ two-run blast in the eighth made it a 7-3 game and he even had a bat flip to go along with it.
Good, he needed to let out some pent up frustration.
This was a pinch-hit at-bat in place of Yu Chang who, unfortunately, may be headed for a demotion of his own.
One home run does not change the entire trajectory of Bauers’ year.
What it does do, however, is provide some much-needed confidence for the young man.
We already know he is making solid contact in 2021.
Patience may be the key as it is unfair to judge a player based on a month of play.
Another Hero of Note
The Indians dugout erupted when Bauers finally got his big hit.
But there was one more player who also drove in two runs on the night.
Sorry this took so long. We were watching "The Star Wars Holiday Special," which is arguably the greatest production of the Star Wars franchise.#OurCLE pic.twitter.com/8hUojLI2PS
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) May 5, 2021
That was newcomer Harold Ramirez, who looks like he belongs in this lineup on an everyday basis.
Ramirez was called up as Daniel Johnson was sent down and the move looks like a great one.
He has a combined four hits in his first two games in and Indians uniform and drove in two Tuesday night.
Ramirez also has one double in each of his two games.
The outfielder did finish the 2019 season in Miami with 20 doubles.
The Indians picked him up during the offseason and that move looks like a major steal.
Is it still early?
Yes, of course.
But showing up and raking against the first-place Royals is a great way to make a name for yourself.
The Climb Continues
The Indians have taken the first two in the four-game set against the Royals and Shane Bieber is on the mound Wednesday night.
Good luck, Kansas City.
Cleveland is now one game out of first place in the American League Central.
Both the Royals and Chicago White Sox have identical 16-12 records and Chicago is in action Wednesday afternoon.
So it is possible Bieber can lead the Indians back to the top of the Central.
Who will be the hero on offense tonight?
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