What's The Masa With You? Kobayashi Is Our Closer!

Is there any doubt that Masahide Kobayashi is the Cleveland Indians' Closer? After saving 227 games in Japan, he has saved the last two games he has pitched for the Indians...by mistake!

As said before, Rafael Betancourt is a very valuable pitcher to the Indians...just not as a closer!

Betancourt failed with a 4-1 lead in the top of the 9th inning this afternoon vs. the A's as he loaded the bases with one out. Enter Masa!

Was it perfect? Naw, he threw a wild pitch to advance the runners and make the score 4-2. Oops, no double play! That's OK, Masa induced both Mike Sweeney and Ryan Sweeney to strike out as he saved the day!

Masa=Closer!

Masa=Closer!!

Masa=Closer!!!

The Indians stay in first place as their record improves to 22-19.

Aaron Laffey gave up an unearned run in the second inning to stop the starters' streak at 44.1 scoreless innings. That's OK, we won and he pitched a great game giving up 1 run on 5 hits with 1 walk and 6 strike outs.
Other highlights;
Travis Hafner went 1 for 2 with 2 walks and...a stolen base!
Johnny Peralta (2 for 3) smacked his 7th home run in the 7th inning.
Ben Francisco went 3 for 4 with 1 RBI.

The Tribe is really putting the pieces together!