Carrera’s bunt completes comeback as Indians continue dominance
Throughout their surprising start to the season, the Cleveland Indians have won in nearly every possible way. They particularly have a flair for the dramatic, and, as is usually the case with all flourishing teams, a little-known player tends to deliver. Ezequiel Carrera was that player tonight in the Battle for Ohio with the Cincinnati Reds, a 24-year-old speedster who was promoted from Triple-A Columbus and answered manager Manny Acta’s call.
Cleveland was behind 4-0 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, but that deficit soon evaporated. With Progressive Field jam-packed full of exuberant fans, the Indians scored four times off the combination of starting pitcher Travis Wood, who had been brilliant, and reliever Logan Ondrusek.
They manufactured runs, a skill all ultimately successful teams must have; drawing walks, getting situational hits, and taking advantage of wildness by getting plunked. They were patient, collectively seeing the ball well and knowing what to take and what to lay off.
“Not being able to get out of the sixth there is unbelievable,” Wood said. “That can’t happen. I’ve got to find a way to bear down and get some more outs and be able to get out of that.”
Carlos Santana, Cleveland’s 25-year-old catcher, drew a bases-loaded walk during the rally Wood had difficulty processing. Taking ball four is nothing new to him; he had three on the night to give him 28 on the year, reasoning for his .357 OBP in spite of a .221 batting average. He is just one of many regulars to consistently have a positive influence. He’s not a household name, but like many of his teammates he will soon be.
The same may be in the cards for Carrera. He is one at-bat into his major league career, but that appearance showed he could potentially provide the offensive spark Jacoby Ellsbury did for the Boston Red Sox in 2007.
”Carrera definitely opened some eyes in spring training, and he didn’t stop there,” Acta said to Ohio.com. ”He has played well at Triple-A, from what I’ve gotten from [Clippers manager] Mike Sarbaugh. He played mostly center field in Columbus, and I anticipate that’s what he’ll do here, too.”
Two innings after the four-run outburst, in the eighth, the 23-year-old Venezuelan replaced Shelley Duncan after Shin-Soo Choo had tripled and Santana had walked with one out. He was making his major league debut and didn’t waste any time.
Acta had the element of surprise up his sleeve, as has been the case throughout this young season. He told the raw rookie to plate Choo from third with a suicide squeeze, and Carrera did.
The situation suited him well, being a left-handed hitter. He pushed the ball perfectly in between Masset and first base, and started to run down the line as contact was made. His approach was similar to that of Seattle Mariners’ outfielder and future Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki, and, evading the tag of first baseman Joey Votto in his sprint down the line, the result was the same. He was safe. With that, he had his first hit, his first rbi, and his first game-winner. Three firsts on one well-executed play, exciting the 31,622 in attendance.
“All you need is a hit,” said Acta. “You don’t need an extra base, anything like that. We saw a perfect opportunity, especially with the first baseman holding on the runner. He executed it perfectly. He’s done that his whole life. He was perfect for that.”
Behind his bunt and speed, the Indians won their 27th game, a total they didn’t reach until June 20th last year.
”This guy has always been a good defensive outfielder who can run the bases,” Acta said. ”He can handle a bat, but that’s the last part of his skills. I’m not big on using guys at DH who are not power hitters, who can’t change a game with one swing.”
Carrera may not have power, but he certainly changed the game with one swing.
“It’s unbelievable,” a smiling Carrera said. “My first at-bat in the Major Leagues, to bunt, get an RBI and get the run that wins it for the team, it’s good. I’m so happy.”
“It’s awesome,” added closer Chris Perez, who shut the door in the ninth for his 11th save. “That was special. He’ll never forget it, and I’ll never forget his first big league hit. To be able to put that bunt in and miss the tag, wow.”
(AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
