Final
Indians-Pirates Preview
Jul 4, 2015 - 6:26 AM Even though they faced a Pittsburgh Pirates club that was on a roll offensively, the Cleveland Indians continued their impressive run on the mound in the series opener.Now they're giving the ball back to the rookie right-hander who got their five-game winning streak started.
Cody Anderson looks to build on a pair of outstanding performances in his first two starts on Saturday at PNC Park and help the resurgent Indians match their longest run of the season.
Cleveland (38-41) has posted a 1.57 ERA during its streak after Trevor Bauer and four relievers struck out nine and limited the Pirates to just three hits in Friday's 5-2 win.
Pittsburgh (45-34) had been seeing the ball well heading into this three-game interleague series, batting .358 with five home runs and 10 doubles while totaling 22 runs in three victories at Detroit.
After they snapped the Pirates' seven-game interleague win streak, the Indians will try to keep their bats quiet and tie their six-game run from May 19-24.
"We've got to just take it one day at a time and that's what we've been doing during this streak," outfielder Michael Bourn said. "Just come back tomorrow and keep the train moving."
Anderson got it started by retiring the first 19 batters and allowing one run and two hits over eight innings in Monday's 7-1 win at Tampa Bay. He also gave up six hits over 7 2-3 but did not factor into the decision in a 1-0 home win over the Rays on June 21.
Anderson (1-0, 0.57 ERA) is likely to stick in the rotation for a while if he continues to pitch well.
"It's been a rush," the 24-year-old told MLB's official website. "I've been able to settle in."
The Pirates have won nine of 14 and averaged 5.07 runs when facing rookie starters.
They'll try to continue that trend for Jeff Locke (4-4, 4.55), who has surrendered two earned runs or less in his last four starts. However, he hasn't made it past the fifth inning in the previous two.
The left-hander didn't receive much help from the offense Sunday while allowing one run over five innings in a 2-1 home loss to Atlanta. He's been at his best at home, going 1-1 with 2.43 ERA in his last six starts.
"I need to be more aggressive in the strike zone," said Locke, who will get his first look at Cleveland.
Brandon Moss delivered the big blow for the Indians on Friday with a second-inning two-run homer. It was his second in three games and team-leading 14th on the season.
Bourn went 2 for 3 with three RBIs in his return from a one-game suspension for making contact with an umpire May 16 versus Texas. He padded the lead with a two-run single in the eighth inning.
Jason Kipnis went 0 for 3 to snap a nine-game interleague hitting streak, but did draw a pair of walks to reach safely for the 25th time in 27 overall.
Andrew McCutchen provided the only highlight in the opener with a two-run home run in the fourth inning for Pittsburgh, which is looking to avoid its first three-game home skid since April 22-24, 2014.
Neil Walker went 1 for 4 after going 14 for 26 over his previous six games, while Jordy Mercer was 0 for 3 after batting .469 in his prior seven. Starling Marte went 0 for 4 after hitting .438 in his previous eight.
- CLEVELAND: 0
PITTSBURGH: 1
Final
Jul 4 6:14 PM - Neil Walker singles to deep right field. Josh Harrison scores.
Guardians 0, Pirates 1 Bot 6, 1 OutJul 4 5:28 PM - Jason Kipnis hit by pitch.
Jul 4 4:09 PM - CLEVELAND: 0
PITTSBURGH: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jul 4 4:08 PM
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