The Cleveland Indians continued their downward spiral towards the .500 mark, losing to the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 on Tuesday night. Wily Mo Pena was the hero, hitting a two-out, two strike, 2-run home run to give the D-Backs the win. The Indians used some heroics of their own in the top of the ninth, getting a 2-run, game-tying home run from Carlos Santana. Santana broke an 0-13 drought with the home run, a no-doubt-about-it shot to right field.
Tony Sipp couldn't hold the lead, however, walking the lead-off man before seeing Pena win the game. It was a wasted effort for Josh Tomlin, who went seven strong innings, allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits before being lifted for a pinch hitter. Tomlin left with the game tied at two. It wouldn't stay tied long as the Diamondbacks scored two runs in the bottom of the eights, both runs charged to Rafael Perez.
Trailing 4-2, the Indians once again beat up on Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz, scoring the two runs to tie. That led to the home half of the ninth and Tony Sipp's implosion.
Before Carlos Santana's home run one could say the Indians best offensive option was their pitcher. Tomlin went 2-2 with a RBI, reaching on a bunt single and driving in a run with a single up the middle. At the time the Indians led 2-0 and seemed to be cruising.
Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson, also looking for his 10th win, went 8 innings, giving up 2 runs on just 6 hits. Hudson struck out 5 and forced the Indians into 3 double-plays.
The series concludes on Wednesday afternoon with red-hot Carlos Carrasco(7-4, 3.62) taking on Zach Duke(1-2, 5.73).