The Cleveland Fan on Facebook

The Cleveland Fan on Twitter
Indians Indians Archive Game 138 Recap: Canzler, Huff Key Tribe Victory
Written by Adam Burke

Adam Burke

perez marsonThe September roster expansion may have made the Indians look more like the Columbus Clippers, but some of the call-ups are making an impact. Tonight, Russ Canzler had three RBI and David Huff pitched terrific in relief of Jeanmar Gomez as the Tribe began their series against the Twins with a 7-6 victory. The Indians have now won three out of four on this road trip and finally look like they're having some fun.

The night didn't go well for Jeanmar Gomez, who certainly has an inside track at being in the rotation next season. Gomez, who did some encouraging things in his first start back last Saturday night against the Texas Rangers, pitched poorly against the Twins. After the Indians squandered a decent opportunity in the first, Gomez struck out two of the three hitters he faced in the bottom half. The trouble began for him in the second inning. He lost his command and issued back-to-back walks to start the inning. Following a fielder's choice that advanced both runners, Chris Parmelee lifted a sac fly to left to score the game's first run.

The Indians had a chance to answer in their half of the third, but failed. Jack Hannahan singled to lead off the inning and was retired on a Shin-Soo Choo fielder's choice. Choo stole second later in the inning but was left there. The Twins plated three in their half of the third. Again, the first two Twins set up the inning with back-to-back singles. After a sac bunt put two men in scoring position, Manny Acta opted to walk Joe Mauer to face Josh Willingham with the bases loaded. Willingham made Acta and the Indians pay with a two-run double to right. Justin Morneau followed with a sac fly to put the Twins up 4-0.

To their credit, the Tribe battled back immediately. Michael Brantley singled and Russ Canzler followed with his first big league blast to cut the lead in half. David Huff provided some good relief work in the fourth and got the Indians right back to the plate. It paid dividends. Jack Hannahan, playing back in his home state, doubled to lead off the fifth. Choo singled him home with a 26-hopper through the middle. Jason Kipnis followed with a double to put runners at second and third. Choo would eventually be erased on a Santana ground ball. Brantley was intentionally walked with two outs to load the bases for Canzler, who delivered his third RBI in two innings. The RBI single from Canzler tied the game at four.

As Huff gave the Indians exactly what they needed, the took the lead for good in the seventh. After two walks set up the inning, Brantley singled with one out to drive in Kipnis. Canzler reached on an infield single to load the bases and Casey Kotchman followed with another infield single to drive in a run. With the bases loaded, Cord Phelps drew a walk to drive in the third run of the inning and make it a 7-4 ballgame.

The Twins again intentionally walked Brantley in the eighth to face Canzler with the bases loaded, but he struck out. That proved to be a real missed opportunity for the Indians as Vinnie Pestano entered and was not sharp again. Mauer singled and Willingham immediately doubled him home to make it a 7-5 game. Pestano stopped the bleeding there and the game went to the ninth.

Chris Perez, who has had his issues at Target Field, gave up a leadoff double to Trevor Plouffe, who eventually scored after a couple of groundouts to make it a 7-6 game, but that was as close as Minnesota would get. With the win, the Indians improved to 59-79. With the loss, the Twins fell to 56-82. David Huff picked up his first win of the season and Tyler Robertson picked up the loss. Save #35 for Chris Perez.

Stat of the Night: The win for David Huff was his first win since August 29, 2011. It was also Huff's second career relief appearance.

Player of the Game: Russ Canzler. Three hits, three RBI, and his first big league blast.

Tomorrow's Game: The Indians and Twins continue their series with Zach McAllister against Cole De Vries at 7:10 p.m.

The TCF Forums