Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona preached patience as a means to avoid overreacting to the team’s recent offensive troubles.
After rewarding their manager for his patience with a walk-off win, the Indians aim to salvage a split of their four-game series with the visiting Chicago White Sox on Thursday afternoon.
Cleveland had been outscored 21-1 during its three-game stretch before snapping that skid in dramatic fashion Wednesday, as Jose Ramirez belted a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning for a 5-3 win.
“As soon as I hit it, I knew it was going to be out,” Ramirez said, via interpreter Agustine Rivero. “Had the ball been blown back I was just going to sit there and complain because there’s no way that ball wasn’t going out.”
Francona was pleased to see Ramirez’s heroics cap the Indians’ 12-hit attack, one that came after the club totaled just 17 during its three-game losing streak.
“I was thrilled. He really put a charge into that ball,” Francona said of Ramirez, who has reached base safely in each of his last 17 games.
Ramirez is slowly putting the pieces together after a brutal start to the season. He is 8-for-27 in seven games in May after going 19-for-105 in March and April.
Carlos Gonzalez had a pair of singles to improve to 20-for-56 (.357) in his career against the White Sox while Jake Bauers is batting 20-for-64 (.313) in his past 20 games after collecting his third multi-hit performance in his last six contests.
Cleveland hopes the momentum of Wednesday night’s victory carries over into Thursday’s matinee against Chicago left-hander Manny Banuelos (2-1, 5.96 ERA), who was gashed for nine runs on 10 straight hits in the third inning of his last start.
Banuelos, who surrendered three homers against Boston in that Saturday start, has yet to face the Indians or any member of the lineup in his career. He will be making his 15th appearance and 10th career start.
The 28-year-old Banuelos will be opposed by Cleveland right-hander Carlos Carrasco (2-3, 5.60), who served a career-high four homers in 7 2/3 innings of a no-decision against Seattle on Saturday.
Carrasco owns an 8-10 record with a 3.98 ERA in 25 career appearances (23 starts) against Chicago, although he has flustered Yoan Moncada (0-for-10, eight strikeouts).
Charlie Tilson looks to continue his favorable impression in three games since being promoted from Triple-A Charlotte. He is 5-for-11 at the plate with three runs scored and two stolen bases.
Tim Anderson had a hit and scored a run on Wednesday while batting seventh in the lineup.
“When we started the season, that’s where we had him and he was pretty comfortable in that slot,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “We’ve moved him up facing lefties. Right now, I want him to stay there and just continue to do what he’s been doing, trying not to do too much, stay within himself.
“He has the ability to do it from the top or the bottom. It really doesn’t matter. For him, I think as long as we continue to have him in the lineup period, it’s a good thing.”