Miley finishes the no-no as Cleveland loses the mojo
While a rain delay that started around 6:30 delayed the game start an hour and 23 minutes, 7,803 fans braved the frigid 46 degree evening to see the Cleveland Indians take on the Cincinnati Reds, a test of the Indians pitching versus the Reds offense in the Battle for Ohio.
However, Emmanuel Clase imploded in the ninth inning and Wade Miley threw a no-hitter and the Reds won 3–0.
Miley dominated with his best stuff on a frigid night. He needed 114 pitches, 72 going for strikes. He also struck out eight Indians hitters.
Zach Plesac and Miley both made quick work through their first two innings, sending each side down in order during the first inning.
Plesac did allow a hit in the second frame before finishing off Tucker Barnhart to keep the game scoreless.
Plesac got into a bit of trouble in the third when Amed Rosario dropped a ball thrown to second that would have gotten at least an out on a double play attempt.
Miraculously, Plesac escaped the inning with no damage done as Rosario redeemed himself on a 4–6–3 twin killer with a slide by Nick Senzel that nearly broke up the play and got the throw over to first baseman Josh Naylor just in time.
However, it was Wade Miley’s night to shine, throwing a perfect game through five innings of work.
The perfecto became a no-no in the sixth after Nick Senzel committed two errors, one on fielding an Amed Rosario grounder and one on his throw that sailed into the camera bay past Mike Moustakas.
Plesac rolled through the Reds lineup, working eight innings and not allowing a run on three hits. Plesac also added seven strikeouts on 112 pitches, with 80 of them finding their way into the zone.
The Tribe faces Luis Castillo tomorrow with Aaron Civale on the mound.
— — — Tidbits — — —
Four is more
Over the first month-plus of the season, the trend of the Indians needing four runs to win has held true. Coming into the evening, the Indians have notched 16 of their 17 victories with four or more runs.
Welcome back, Tyler!
Tyler Naquin returned to Progressive Field after the Reds made a move to acquire him during the Spring. Naquin went 1-for-x with a single in his first at bat.
The Indians played a tribute to his inside the park home run in 2016 on the scoreboard prior to the rain delay.
Cleveland running the AL Central
The Tribe has played 23 of its first 29 games this season against the AL Central and own a 15–8 record against the division compared to 2–5 outside of the division.
Another no-no so soon
The Indians were no-hit for the second time in 24 days, following the White Sox Carlos Rodon carrying a perfect game into the ninth and completing a no-hitter after plunking Roberto Perez.
It was the first no-hitter thrown at Progressive Field since Irvin Santana pitched a gem in a 4–1 win for the Los Angeles Angels on July 27, 2011.
