What do the Cleveland Indians and the 80’s music group Flock of Seagulls have in common? At one time, they both had one hit wonders. Shin Soo Choo’s single up the middle hit a seagull in center field and skipped past Royals’ outfielder Coco Crisp to bring in Mark DeRosa from second with the winning run in a 4-3 final in 10 innings.
Kyle Farnsworth gave up a single to DeRosa and then walked Victor Martinez to lead to Choo’s hit. Crisp said he thought he might have a play at the plate, but as the ball hit the outfield grass, several seagulls who were resting just beyond second base, starting flying out of the way. As one bird took off, the ball hit it, changed direction and went under the glove of Crisp allowing DeRosa to score easily.
Here’s the video .
That topped off what could have been another win for Zack Greinke who pitched well through seven innings, but ran into trouble in the 8 th as two errors helped the Indians tie the game at three.
Up 3-1, it was DeRosa and Martinez who singled and walked that led to manager Trey Hillman to Greinke and go to the bullpen. John Bale came on and got Choo to ground to first baseman Billy Butler, who threw for a force out at second base, but shortstop Tony Pena’s return throw got away from Bale covering first base, allowing DeRosa to score. Then, second baseman Alberto Callaspo’s throw home was bad and Choo went to second. The Royals were charged with two errors on that play.
How often have we seen the Royals shoot themselves in the foot with poor execution? Hillman then brought in Joakim Soria who gave up a double Jhonny Peralta to score Choo and tie the game.
Greinke pitched 7.1 innings getting charged with three runs while giving up six hits and three walks while striking out six. He remains 8-1 with his ERA at 1.72. He last won on May 26th.
