Sometimes in baseball, a team can’t hit what it has never seen. The Indians got their first look at A’s rookie left-hander Sean Manaea on Tuesday night, and went down quietly in a 9-1 loss at the Coliseum.
The larger issue for the American League Central-leading Indians, however, was another abbreviated effort from righty Danny Salazar. The starter lasted only four innings, in which he allowed six runs on eight hits, including a three-run homer from slugger Khris Davis in the opening frame. The blast was Davis’ 33rd of the season.
“I’m not sure during the game you want to give credit,” said Indians manager Terry Francona, when asked about Manaea. “But, when it’s over, the kid did a good job.”
With the loss, the Tribe’s lead over Detroit was trimmed to 6 1/2 games in the division.
Manaea earned the win after one of the best performances of his first Major League season. The lefty did not allow a hit until the fourth inning, scattered three on the evening overall, and ended with eight strikeouts in his seven innings. The Tribe’s only breakthrough against Manaea came in the sixth, when catcher Chris Gimenez belted a leadoff homer.
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