The Indians needed a spark. They got it from a rookie and a veteran to get a win in Arizona. Lonnie Chisenhall, fresh off of being named the International League Player of the Week, was called up to the Big League club to supply some much needed offense to an Indians team that desperately needed it. He delivered, going 2-4 with a double and a RBI. Tied at 4 in the 9th, however, it was the old bat of Orlando Cabrera that delivered a go-ahead solo home run off of J.J. Putz. Chris Perez made it stand, notching his 19th save of the season.
For Chisenhall it was a historic night. Batting 7th and playing 3rd base, Chisenhall picked up his first major-league hit and RBI - one a double, no less - proving that his bat can play at the Big League level.
The Indians got off to a fast start, scoring 2 runs in the first inning when Asdrubal Cabrera crushed his 13th home run of the season. The D-Backs came right back, however, scoring 3 runs of their own in the bottom half of the 1st to lead 3-2. Mitch Talbot settled down after that, though, retiring the final 10 batters he faced before being lifted after 5 innings and just 71 pitches.
Indians skipper Manny Acta went for the kill in the 6th. Already up 4-3 after scoring 2 runs in the inning, the Indians had runners at the corners with two outs with Talbot scheduled to hit. Acta chose to use Travis Hafner as a pinch hitter, trying to extend the Indians lead. The gamble didn't work as Hafner struck out swinging. That left the Indians bullpen in the precarious position of having to lock down the D-Backs for 4 innings. They nearly got it done.
Joe Smith pitched 1.1 innings, while Tony Sipp finished the 7th. The Indians faltered a bit in the 8th inning when Vinnie Pestano gave up a singe and triple that tied the score at 4. The Diamondbacks couldn't bring the run from third in to score, however, setting up Orlando Cabrera's heroics in the top of the 9th.
The two teams will face off again on Tuesday night when Josh Tomlin(9-4, 3.95) will face Daniel Hudson(9-5, 3.58)