Sunday, August 16, 2015
Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS
Josh Tomlin had tired of pitching at the Cleveland Indians’ training complex in Arizona while rehabbing serious arm injuries in two of the past three years.
A major league mound in Minnesota felt like a better fit for Tomlin as he made his return on Saturday.
Tomlin threw 61/3 innings in his first big league appearance since Sept. 19, but allowed back-to-back solo home runs in the fifth inning as Cleveland lost 4-1 to the Minnesota Twins.
“Two of the past three years been on the shelf for a little bit, yeah, it seems pretty long,” Tomlin said. “But it’s just good to be back here doing whatever I can do to help this team win.”
Tomlin underwent Tommy John surgery late in 2012 and worked his way back to pitch in 25 games for the Indians last season. Vying for a spot in the starting rotation this spring, Tomlin was forced to undergo shoulder surgery in early April.
Tomlin (0-1) returned to scatter two hits over the first four innings before leaving a high fastball over the plate for Eddie Rosario leading off the fifth. After Rosario launched the pitch 401 feet into the right field seats, Herrmann followed with his second homer of the season to the same place.
“Probably a good thing Rosario hit it, it might have hit him in the neck,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. “He pitched really well. ... Doesn’t walk people, fields his position, can’t run on him and he made them beat him. They scored a couple off him.”
Tomlin allowed five hits and struck out five.
Tyler Duffey (1-1) took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning of his second big league game before Indians rookie shortstop Francisco Lindor lined a double to right field with one out in the inning.
“I was trying to do whatever it takes to get on base,” Lindor said. “I’m not letting someone else throw a no-hitter against us.”
Duffey, roughed up by Toronto earlier this month in his debut, struck out seven and worked around five walks. Relievers Casey Fien, Kevin Jepsen and Glen Perkins each pitched an inning in the combined four-hitter.
Roberto Perez doubled to drive in Carlos Santana for Cleveland’s lone run in the ninth off of Perkins.
ROOKIE ROLLING
Lindor had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 10 games in which he’s hit .487. Just as impressively, Lindor demonstrated the defensive prowess which led him to being one of the league’s top prospects.
With a runner on and one out in the sixth, Trevor Plouffe hit a hard grounder into the hole where Lindor dove to his right to make the stop. He threw to second baseman Jose Ramirez, who made a quick turn for the double play.
Francona praised Lindor’s defense but held back a bit because of an error he made in the fourth.
“Athletically he’s capable of doing that, and it’s certainly exciting to watch,” Francona said of the double play. “I’ll brag more about him when he moves his feet on the routine because those are every bit as important. But I admit, it was a play not a lot of guys can make.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Indians: Francona said OF Michael Brantley received treatment for his sore left throwing shoulder, and doubted he would play Sunday. “I think the best thing that we could maybe hope for is he swings the bat tomorrow. I don’t want him to just go cold turkey into a game.” . 2B Jason Kipnis (shoulder) is eligible to come off the DL on Monday, although Francona said he didn’t know if he would be activated immediately. ... Francona said RHP Cody Anderson (left oblique strain) would meet the team in Boston and likely throw a bullpen session on Monday.
UP NEXT
The Indians will start RHP Carlos Carrasco (11-8) today, four days after allowing just two runs in eight innings against the Yankees. Carrasco has thrown eight or more innings while allowing four or fewer hits in three straight starts. LHP Tommy Milone (5-3) is set to come off the DL for the Twins after being out with a strained elbow. Milone will make his first start since July 31, when he allowed four runs on 11 hits in six innings against Seattle.