Cleves Sweep the Bucs 2-0 Behind 16 Ks

It was a quiet first between Willy and Shane Bieber; Kevin Newman reaching on Bieber's throwing error was all the action. The Indians got a couple of one-down raps and a third with two away to take a 1-0 lead in the second. JT Riddle singled with two gone for the Pirates action. The Tribe hit back-to-back singles with two away in the third but drew no blood. Erik Gonzalez singled and K-Man beat out a tapper with one away, but Gonzo was caught trying to swipe third (he's 0-for-3 this year) and J-Bell fanned to put a cork in it. A single and two walks left Willy in fourth-inning hot water with an out, but a big K (his fifth) and routine fly prevented any damage. The Pirates went down in order and lost DH Colin Moran, who was ejected after a fairly quiet grump; umps are pretty thin-skinned anymore w/o fans to hold their attention. Sam Howard got the fifth; Willy had already used up 90 pitches, and Sam tossed a clean frame. Jake Stallings remained hot with a knock for the Buccos.

Brandon Waddell tossed two shutout innings tonight - image AT&T SportsNet

Brandon Waddell worked the sixth with two walks but no runs as the Cleves have already stranded nine runners. K-Man and J-Bell opened with back-to-back knocks (the second a hit-and-run) to claim the corners, but Fraze and Joey O fanned before Riddle popped out. It was 1-2-3 for the Tribe in the seventh. Ollie Perez got the call. Stalls banged a rap to right with two away after just missing a homer (review called it a loud foul) and Nick Wittgren took the ball and got the last out. Chris Stratton gave up a walk, knock and a walk to open the eighth. J-Bell went home on a grounder to first, missed the mark rather badly and Cleveland had an insurance run. They did get a force at home, followed by a K and a ground out, making the run a gift. James Karinchak climbed the hill and walked K-Man, who never got off the base. Nik Turley won the grab bag for the ninth and spun a 1-2-3 frame. Brad Hand iced it.

They had seven singles and fanned 16 times. The pitchers walked six more guys. Dunno about how the players feel, but we're getting ready to opt out of the season - the Pirates are 29-65 since mid-July of last summer. 

Notes: 

• Kevin Newman extended his hitting streak to nine games. He and Jake each had a pair of hits tonight.
• In five innings, the pen gave up no earned runs, one hit, four walks and three K. They and Willy bent tonight but didn't break, stranding a dozen Indians.
• That's why Shelty manages: we wondered why the lefties were sat down against RNP Bieber, and found out: the Pirates LH batters went 1-for-12 with eight K against him tonight.