The starters on other teams are probably jealous of the Indians’ bench.
After Ryan Raburn and Jason Giambi recently ended games with walk-off home runs, Cleveland’s reserves were deservedly in the spotlight once more at Progressive Field on Tuesday night.
With the Tribe trailing by one in the eighth inning, Raburn delivered a two-run single as a pinch-hitter and backup catcher Yan Gomes drove in another pair with a double, spurring the Indians to a 7-4 comeback win.
“I thought tonight was a good team win. We showed our versatility,” said Indians skipper Terry Francona, who credited general manager Chris Antonetti for assembling his club. “Our roster really works well. The guys complement each other so well.”
The Indians have won six straight games, tying their season high. At 58-48, they are 10 games over .500 for the first time since June 4, 2011. Within the American League Central, the Tribe remained 2 1/2 games behind Detroit, which also won on Tuesday.
Raburn entered the game in Giambi’s place during the eighth inning, with two outs and men on the corners and left-hander Donnie Veal on the mound. The White Sox brought in righty Matt Lindstrom to pitch, while Cleveland inserted Drew Stubbs into the game as a pinch-runner for Carlos Santana, who had just singled.
Two pitches into Raburn’s at-bat, Stubbs, representing the go-ahead run, moved into scoring position by swiping second base. Then, Raburn smoked the third pitch from Lindstrom up the middle to put Cleveland on top. Gomes gave the Tribe further separation with his gap shot to right.
“I was just trying to stay prepared for whenever the chance might be, and it came in that situation,” Raburn said. “I was just glad I was able to come through.”
After Tuesday’s win, the combined statistics of Raburn, Gomes, Giambi and Mike Aviles include 31 home runs, 38 doubles, two triples and 112 RBIs over 687 at-bats. Including third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall, who spent significant time at Triple-A earlier in the year, Cleveland is the only team in the Majors to carry five players with at least six home runs and 20 RBIs in fewer than 250 at bats.
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