Final Score in Cleveland: Angels 9 Indians 3
Mike Trout followed a three-run home run with solo shot later in the game, Kole Calhoun had a 4 for 5 night capped by a solo home run off of a lefty (was Mike Scioscia paying attention?) but the story of Tuesday's win in Cleveland for the Angels was the pitching of spot-starter Matt Shoemaker.
With a gassed bullpen wallowing in its own mediocrity and the team no just 4-10 in its last 14 road games, a little rest will hopefully go a long way and Shoemaker almost went the distance. He struck out ten and walked only one, allowed five hits and two earned runs. Behind 2-1 early in the game he honed in and made easy work of a strong Tribe lineup.
All in all, Shoemaker was dazzling and he finished the eighth inning with a pitch count under 100 - Just like C.J. Wilson has when he finsihes the fourth inning. Why didn't he pitch a Complete Game? Well, as fate would have it, a ridiculous cloudburst hit at the end of the top of the ninth inning and caused an eleven-minute rain delay. That was enough for Scioscia to bring in Ernesto Frieri in his first appearance since blowing a four-run lead in the ninth on Saturday. He promptly gave up a double to Jason Kipnis and allowed him to score, tossing 27 pitches to complete the frame and end the game.
The game featured three solo home runs (Trout, Calhoun and Howie Kendrick - all three of whom had at least three hits in the game) and Trout's three run job and managed to leave seven men on base anyway, but it wasn't a rock - it was a rock LOBster! Lots offense but Shoemaker dazzled, light your Halo up!