July 13, 2014 – Mike Aviles Throws Out Runner at First from Foul Ground

Great defense often does not get highlighted in these kinds of retrospectives, because it does not show up as readily in box scores and stat sheets. However, I can’t pass up a great outfield double-play.

Trevor Bauer was facing John Danks and the White Sox in a Sunday afternoon affair at Progressive Field. The Sox’ Connor Gillespie knocked a single into right field to lead off the inning. Gordon Beckham hooked Bauer’s 2-2 pitch down the left field line.

Although Mike Aviles had made his career playing shortstop, Terry Francona had recently been giving him starts in left field. Aviles raced across the outfield and made the catch right on the chalk. He turned and threw a 280 foot strike to Carlos Santana at first. The throw beat Gillespie by half a step to record the 7-3 double-play.

Path of 7-3 Double Play

In the bottom of the second, Yan Gomes pushed Ryan Rayburn across the plate with an RBI single up the middle giving the Indians an early 1-0 lead.

Bauer and Danks scattered quite a few hits throughout the middle innings, but the score remained 1-0 headed into the top of the eighth. The White Sox took advantage of a rough inning by Bryan Shaw. Gillespie scored on a Gordan Beckham single after taking second on a wild pitch. Leury Garcia put the Sox ahead with a single to center that scored Beckham. Shaw was credited with a blown save.

The White Sox had bullpen problems of their own in the bottom of the eighth. Javy Guerra gave up a leadoff single to Nick Swisher. Then Yan Gomes sent a home run out just inside the right field foul pole to put the Tribe back on top 3-2.

Cody Allen retired the Sox in order in the top of the ninth to record his 12th save of the season and put the Indians back at .500 with a 47-47 record.

Baseball Reference Box Score

July 19, 2006 – Bob Wickman records last save as an Indian. His 139 saves are current club record.

Baseball Reference Box Score