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Today's crowd (?): 8,726

Manny says Masterson had 17 first pitch strikes "key to his game"

here's the Triple Play. OC had no idea he could the third out at 2nd; the bench must have been yelling at him; the runner off second must have gone to sleep on 3rd, too. One of the slowest developing plays of all time

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/a ... e&c_id=cle

I'd suggest 16 ground outs, 1 air out as the key: and the TP must have been the air out.

Except when I reveiw the pbp I see actually there were 2 other soft air outs. Still , a great job by Justin

All facets lead to Indians' first victory
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 4/3/2011 3:35 PM ET
Comments

CWS@CLE: Indians' defense combines to turn three
CLEVELAND -- Behind a strong pitching performance from Justin Masterson, and a timely home run from veteran Orlando Cabrera, the Indians avoided a season-opening sweep with a 7-1 victory over the White Sox on Sunday at Progressive Field.

Masterson's strong seven-inning effort for the Indians (1-2) was temporarily overshadowed by a triple play turned by the Tribe -- the third in stadium history. In the fourth inning, with Chicago clinging to a 1-0 lead and runners on first and second base, Indians first baseman Carlos Santana made a diving catch of a bunt attempt by Alexei Ramirez.

After gloving the errant bunt for an out, Santana fired the baseball to Cabrera at first base to double up White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski. Cabrera then relayed the ball to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who stepped on second base to retire Carlos Quentin. It was the first triple play for Cleveland since Asdrubal Cabrera had one of the unassisted variety against the Blue Jays on May 12, 2008.

That rare feat thwarted a would-be rally for the White Sox (2-1) and helped swing the game in the Indians' favor. While Masterson held Chicago's potent offense in check, Cleveland's lineup went to work against lefty John Danks. After being blanked by Danks for five innings, Orlando Cabrera delivered a two-run, two-out home run to left to put the Tribe ahead, 2-1, in the sixth.

That was the only damage allowed by Danks in his six innings of work. In the seventh, Indians catcher Lou Marson doubled home Jack Hannahan and later crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly from Asdrubal Cabrera to push Cleveland to a 4-1 lead. That was enough for Masterson to cruise to the win.

After Tribe starters Fausto Carmona and Carlos Carrasco combined to allow 17 runs in 9 2/3 innings in the first two games of the season -- both losses to the White Sox -- Masterson held Chicago to one run on seven hits. His lone blemish came in the third inning, when Omar Vizquel singled and later scored on a base hit from Paul Konerko.

The Indians added to their advantage in the eighth inning. After loading the bases with one out, Shelley Duncan entered as a pinch-hitter for Hannahan to face Sox lefty Matt Thornton. Duncan pulled a pitch into left field for a two-run single to give Cleveland a 6-1 lead. Michael Brantley later added a sacrifice fly.

Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com.

"Santana fired the baseball to Cabrera at first base to double up White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski"

Fired? Was this Jordan Batian person--if that IS his real name--even at the game?

Carlos lobbed it quickly. Then Orlando tossed it gently to Asdrubal.

civ ollilavad wrote:Carlos lobbed it quickly. Then Orlando tossed it gently to Asdrubal.

It was one of the slowest plays I have ever seen. I was there when Casey Blake started the triple play about 5 - 6 years ago, and that one was fast.

I don't think they realized they could have a triple play, but someone on the bench was yelling at them.

3-2 in the bottom of the 5th!!!

..............WE WIN!!!

Day game. Scoreless middle of the 5th. LaPorta just made a very nice play on a groundball. Carmona, who is much more efficient with no one in the stands, sees his ERA drop from 30.00 to 11.25 and I bet it's going to fall further with the improved defense behind him.

Now in the bottom of the 6th, still scoreless. 2 hits for each side. Fausto is up to 98 pitches. Is he done? ERA still barely in double figures: 10.00 exactly.

Brantley and Hafner and Hannahan have the day off with LH Lester on the hill. Buck's in center, Duncan is DH, Everitt at 3rd.