Written by Adam Burke

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Joe Smith was the only Indians pitcher to keep the Pirates in the ballpark as starter Ubaldo Jimenez and relievers Tony Sipp and Nick Hagadone combined to allow four home runs in a 9-2 Indians loss. The Indians offense was dormant yet again, this time shut down by Pirates starter A.J. Burnett and two relievers. The Indians managed just six hits, two of which came in the first inning.

The game started off well as Ubaldo Jimenez pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning and Asdrubal Cabrera cranked a solo shot, his sixth, off Burnett as the second Indians batter of the game. Jason Kipnis singled and advanced to second on a ground out, but would get no further. After the two hits in the first, the Indians went hitless until the fifth.

The Pirates tied the game on the first of their four home runs and the first of the game for Pedro Alvarez. Alvarez clubbed a fastball over the middle of the plate into the Pirates bullpen to tie the game at one. The Pirates took the lead the next time they came to bat as Jimenez surrendered three consecutive singles before getting a double play ball to end the inning.

The Indians could have gotten out of the inning without allowing a run. Andrew McCutchen hit a ground ball down the third base line that Lonnie Chisenhall made a good effort on and got off a strong, off-line throw to first with no real shot at getting the speedy McCutchen. Neil Walker had stayed close to the second base bag as Chisenhall fielded the chopper and then took off for third on the throw. Had Chisenhall held on to the ball or threw back to second, Walker would not have made it to third. He scored on a soft line drive single to right by Garrett Jones that Shin-Soo Choo may have been able to turn into a play at the plate because of the way he was charging the ball. Instead, Walker basically walked home.

It was a 2-1 deficit for the Tribe until the bottom of the fifth when Casey Kotchman teed off on the first pitch of his second at bat for his fifth home run of the year. Unfortunately, the deadlock was short-lived as Ubaldo Jimenez, again, failed to put up a zero following a run by his offense. Garrett Jones hit a single to left just in front of a sliding Shelley Duncan and Casey McGehee blasted the next pitch to the bleachers, a row behind a collection of Pirates fans, to put the Buccos back on top 4-2.

The Indians would get no closer, even though they had chances. The Tribe loaded the bases in the sixth but Shelley Duncan popped up on the first pitch following a four-pitch walk by Johnny Damon. As what seems to be the modus operandi for the season, when the Indians blow a run scoring opportunity, the other team capitalizes. Tony Sipp, who is quickly pitching his way into a trip to Columbus, gave up yet another home run to a left handed hitter, this time, the beneficiary was Alex Presley. Sipp has now allowed home runs in four of his last seven outings.

With the Indians down another run at 5-2, a bloop and a blast would no longer do it. The tying run came to the plate in the seventh in the form of Jason Kipnis. Chisenhall recorded a hustle double to right center field and, after a Choo ground out, Asdrubal Cabrera walked. Kipnis lofted a 0-1 pitch to left field that landed harmlessly in front of the warning track in Alex Presley’s glove.

The Buccos put the game out of reach and started to raise the Jolly Roger before the ninth was even over. Nick Hagadone, who, like Sipp, has also struggled lately, had the worst outing of his Major League career. Hagadone got two of the first three hitters of the inning sandwiching a walk to Neil Walker. Pinch hitter Matt Hague singled and advanced to second on a Shelley Duncan throwing error, with Walker stopping at third. The next batter, Casey McGehee dropped a perfect sand wedge just inside the right field foul line for a two-run single. The next pitch to Pedro Alvarez hasn’t landed yet. Hagadone then walked the bases loaded before striking out Presley to end the inning. The Buccos batted around, added a four-spot, and put the game out of reach for the Indians, who went quietly in the ninth.

Michael Brantley’s 22-game hit streak was snapped as he took an 0-for-3 and drew a walk. Cabrera and Kipnis had four of the Indians six hits. Kipnis also stole his 16^th base in the first inning. Joe Smith was the only Indians pitcher not to give up a run as he worked 1.2 scoreless innings with a hit, a walk, and a punchout. Carlos Santana went 0-for-3 and has not had a multi-hit game since May 17.

Stat of the Night: As mentioned above, Michael Brantley’s hit streak was snapped at 22 games. During the streak, which began May 20, he went 29-for-86, good for a .337 clip.

Player of the Game: Not much to choose from today, but the obvious choice is Asdrubal Cabrera. He collected a couple of hits, including a home run, and made a really strong play at short, ranging deep into the hole and making a strong throw to get McGehee at second on a fielder’s choice.

Tomorrow Game: The Indians will look to win the series with Jeanmar Gomez on the mound against Brad Lincoln at 1:05. It’s Kids Fun Day and also Carlos Santana replica jersey giveaway day.