One of the fastest players in baseball almost single-handedly pushed the Indians past the Orioles and Rangers for what would be the final Wild Card spot if the playoffs started today. Michael Bourn acted like he was playing Little League, simply running around the bases throughout the night to give the Indians a 4-3 win over the Miami team that defeated them 10-0 Friday.
Bourn helped the Indians get over the blanking they took from Jose Fernandez, which had left the Indians a half game behind Texas and Baltimore. Bourn singled in the first, stole second, moved to third on a grounder and ran home on a fly ball.
In the third inning, he beat out an infield single, stole second again, then raced to third on a wild pitch and came all the way home on a bad throw by the catcher to make it 2-0.
The Indians sent up speedy pinch hitter Drew Stubbs (13 stolen bases himself this year) to hit in front of Bourn in the seventh, and the strategy paid off as another pinch hitter would have likely slowed Bourn down and cost the Indians the game. Stubbs reached second base and one out in the seventh, which may have made the Mariners more comfortable walking Bourn due to second base being occupied.
Instead, Bourn simply stole second again as Stubbs successfully stole third in front of him. Bourn then raced home behind Stubbs on a single by Jason Kipnis.
Chris Perez held on the ninth after allowing one run to cut the Indians lead to 4-3, and allowing runners to get to second and third with one out before getting the two final outs.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.