Indians right-hander Justin Masterson closed a four-game series against the White Sox in a completely different fashion than the way the weekend started. The Tribe began the set with two high-scoring contests in Friday’s lengthy doubleheader, but Masterson went the distance on Sunday, facing three batters over the minimum in a six-hit shutout at U.S. Cellular Field.
Cleveland’s 4-0 win coupled with the Tigers’ 3-1 loss to the Rays in St. Petersburg pulled the Indians into a first-place tie with Detroit in the American League Central.
Manager Terry Francona decided to sit hot-hitting sluggers Jason Kipnis and Nick Swisher, but the Indians still produced enough runs against White Sox ace Chris Sale to complete their first four-game sweep in Chicago since 1945.
“When we can win a game like that today, where we rest a couple of guys and stay away from some guys in the bullpen, that’s a team win,” Francona said. “That was huge. You watch Sale pitch — you can see it from the dugout, the batter’s box or where you’re sitting. His stuff was filthy.”
But it wasn’t Sale’s stuff that stole the show. Masterson, who struck out eight and walked one, pitched to contact all day, escaping tough spots with runners on base by inducing double plays in the second, sixth, seventh and eighth innings and benefiting from a sneaky pickoff by Indians catcher Yan Gomes to nab Alejandro De Aza at first.
“I know when the game is over, people might forget about that play,” Francona said. “But De Aza is a guy on the bases who can create something. Gomer picking him up settled that inning down. He called a good game, he ran the game and then he contributed with his bat.”
The Indians leaned on their bullpen through the first three games of the series. Rookie starter Trevor Bauer recorded just two outs in Friday’s first game, forcing the bullpen to throw 127 pitches. Francona then used three more relievers in the nightcap for a total of eight bullpen arms on the day. Ubaldo Jimenez didn’t offer much help by throwing 112 pitches over five innings on Saturday and leaving the bullpen to finish the job.
That’s why Masterson’s effort was so crucial. He saved a depleted bullpen from having to work and delivered the Indians to Monday’s off-day, when their relievers can recuperate.
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