Indians pick up first walk-off win of the year on David Murphy sac fly
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It may have taken 68 games, but the Cleveland Indians finally managed their first walk-off win of the season Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, David Murphy hit a sacrifice fly, giving Cleveland the 1-0 win.
The team’s walk-off drought this season was getting dangerously close to approaching a critical level.
While walk-off victories aren’t all that common, this was a particularly long stretch for the club.
That’s no longer the case after Sunday. With the game tied 0-0 in the ninth, the Indians began their comeback.
Roberto Perez and Jason Kipnis singled to open the frame, putting men on first and second. After a lineout, Tampa Bay opted to intentionally walk Michael Brantley to load the bases.
That’s when Murphy struck. On the fifth pitch of the at-bat, Murphy lifted a fly ball to center. Kevin Kiermaier tracked it down on the fly and fired a strike to home. The throw was perfect, but the ball was mishandled at the plate, allowing Perez to score.
With the win, Cleveland improved to 32-26 on the year.
BECKHAM DOES IT AGAIN
Chicago White Sox infielder Gordon Beckham has a knack for playing well for his parents. Beckham delivered on Father’s Day, belting a walk-off home run during a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers.
This isn’t the first time this season Beckham has come up big for his family.
Beckham may not have started the contest, but he certainly finished it. After entering the game in the top of the 10th, Beckham received his first at-bat in the bottom of 11th inning.
On the first pitch of the at-bat, Beckham smashed a 70 mph changeup out to left to win the game. It was Beckham’s first hit since June 5. He raised his average to .220 with the knock.
With the victory, the White Sox improved to 30-38 on the season. They’ve won two straight games.
DODGERS ROUT GIANTS ON SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL
The Los Angeles Dodgers showed no mercy on the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. Los Angeles hit four homers during a 10-2 rout over San Francisco.
Giants starter Tim Lincecum didn’t have a particularly strong day. He lasted just 1 1/3 innings, giving up five earned runs. It was the shortest outing of his career.
Beat writer Alex Pavlovic was far from the only person to mention Lincecum could lose his rotation spot. Both Matt Cain and Jake Peavy are close to returning, and someone is going to have to get kicked to the bullpen.
After Sunday’s start, Lincecum has a 3.86 ERA.
BLUE JAYS BATTLE BACK, STILL LOSE
The Toronto Blue Jays managed a major comeback against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Ultimately, it didn’t hold up, as the club eventually lost 13-9.
Still, what they were able to do was impressive. Baltimore got to Toronto starter Scott Copeland early, scoring seven runs in the top of the second inning. Copeland was chased from the game after just 1 1/3 innings.
With things looking bleak, Toronto mounted a comeback. The team battered Chris Tillman, picking up six runs in the bottom of the frame. Tillman also left the game after 1 1/3 innings.
Toronto would eventually scratch across another run in the bottom of the third, tying the game. They even picked up two more runs in the fourth, taking a 9-7 lead.
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Baltimore would eventually tie the game 9-9, setting the stage for Brett Cecil to blow the game in the top of the ninth. Cecil walked two men before giving up an RBI single and a bases-clearing triple. He was able to pick up a strike out before exiting the contest, but was charged with another run after departing.
Toronto would lose the game 13-9. With the loss, the team dropped to 37-34.
Want to see more from Sunday’s slate of games? Check out our scoreboard.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
