When the Cleveland Indians brought outfielder Kosuke Fukudome over from the Chicago Cubs, the intention was for him to provide some more stability to an outfield that had been struggling offensively and defensively since the injuries to Shin-Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore.
↵In Thursday night’s 7-3 win over the Boston Red Sox, Fukudome showed why he can make a difference in the back end of the lineup. He had his first three-hit game as an Indian and was involved in the team’s second-inning comeback to tie the game at 2-2. In the ninth, his double off the green monster added an insurance run to five the Indians a four-run lead. We can’t take those “dagger runs” lightly — they are critical to giving our offense more confidence and allowing our bullpen to work in better situations.
↵Today, the Indians turn to Ubaldo Jiménez for the first time. Hopefully Fukudome and the Indians can keep their bats hot as they try to chase the Detroit Tigers, who currently hold a three game lead in the division.