For a team that has beset by a seemingly endless run of injuries, the gods have finally cut the Tribe a break. Although he has sustained a severe facial contusion and a sinus fracture under his right cheekbone, the word on the street is that Lonnie Chisenhall will avoid the disabled list. The Chiz Kid has shown no signs of a concussion and did not break the cheekbone itself. Not bad for getting beaned in the face. The medical staff has not confirmed that the young third baseman will be available before the all-star break, but he is expected back no later than the beginning of the Baltimore series. The timetable will be determined by how quickly the swelling around Chisenhall's eyes goes down. Word is that as soon as he can wear a protective mask, he will return to the lineup.
Oh, and in case you missed it, Lonnie's first MLB round tripper came off of LHP Boone Logan. It was Chiz's first big league hit against a southpaw. In fact, in each and every other appaearance against a left (4), he has struck out.
Michael Brantley is once again hitting the ball well. In stark contrast to a 4-for-39 skid that began on June 26th, Brantley has socked eight hits in his last 13 AB's over three games. When he is slumping, Michael has a tendency to roll over high pitches and bounce out harmlessly to the right side. He has, for the most part, avoided this proclivity in the most recent contests and the hits have followed. Brantley has also stolen a base in two of those games, raising his season total to 12.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the night at the plate had by Jack "MF'ing" Hannahan. Jack singled twice and doubled for his third three hit game of the season and his first since April 26th. Hannahan brought home the Tribe's first run and got the 8th inning rally started with hit #3.
Cheers.
P.s. Asdrubal Cabrera is you starting shortstop for the American League All-Star team.
