The Cleveland Indians’ four-game winning streak came to an unfortunate end Monday night.
A tailor-made double play grounder was hit to Indians first baseman Yu Chang.
However, Chang’s throw grazed off the helmet of Yasmani Grandal allowing the Chicago White Sox to win the game.
Many baseball fans say they have never seen a game end that way.
Heck, even White Sox manager Tony La Russa admitted that his team caught a lucky break.
Even with the tough-luck loss, the Tribe is still 5-4 on the young season and looking much better than a week ago.
The Good News: Eddie Rosario and Jordan Luplow
How 'bout an early @Indians lead courtesy of an Eddie Rosario long ball!?#OurCLE pic.twitter.com/UlxyldedCV
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) April 13, 2021
Tribe fans were treated to an opposite field two-run blast by newcomer Eddie Rosario.
The homer was Rosario’s second of the season so far.
Though Rosario is only hitting .226 on the season, that opposite field bomb proves that he is seeing the ball better these days.
Rosario has proven in his career that he has the ability to get hot and carry a ballclub for weeks at a time.
When Rosario gets in the zone at the plate, the rest of the American League better be on alert.
Tribe fans dream of a perfect scenario in which Jose Ramirez, Franmil Reyes, and Rosario all get hot at the same time.
Jordan Luplow enjoyed another multi-hit game which raised his average to a very respectable .278.
The 27-year old already has hit two homers and driven in seven runs so far this season.
If Luplow can stay healthy all year, he could be the solid leadoff hitter than the Tribe needs in 2021.
The Bad News: Hitters 2-6 Struggled
Rosario’s bomb was the long bright spot for the heart of the Indians order.
In fact, Tribe hitters in the 2-6 slots in the lineup only achieved one hit the entire game.
It is hard to win a baseball game without middle of the order production.
All in all, the Indians left 10 runners on base Monday night, which is a tough pill to swallow.
Cesar Hernandez, who batted in the No. 2 hole on Monday, is only hitting .176 on the year.
Former New York Met Amed Rosario, who hit in the No. 6 hole, is only batting .200.
Both Hernandez and Amed Rosario need to get it going at the plate soon so that the Tribe can enjoy another winning streak.
The So-So News: Triston McKenzie
Triston McKenzie, Filthy 79mph Curveball…and Sword. ⚔️@H2PKSK pic.twitter.com/Eik0v9K2lx
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 5, 2021
We could not put Triston McKenzie in the bad news column for his performance on Monday.
The young right-hander looked dominant at times through only four innings of work.
The 23-year-old struck out six batters and only gave up two hits.
Unfortunately, one of those hits was the three-run moonshot by Adam Eaton.
McKenzie threw that homer ball right down the heart of the plate and Eaton made the Indians pay dearly.
However, Tribe fans can rest assured knowing that McKenzie will continue to mature as a pitcher and not make those untimely mistakes.
What’s on Deck?
The Indians will get another shot at the White Sox on Tuesday evening.
The game will feature a pair of ace pitchers squaring off in Shane Bieber and Lucas Giolito.
Let’s hope the Tribe offense can get Bieber some run support.
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