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Chisenhall’s homer part of Tito’s magic touch
- Updated: October 8, 2016
CLEVELAND — David Price tugged at his right sleeve and wiped away sweat from his face. As the Red Sox’s ace waited for the right to continue his outing, Indians outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall hustled around the bases. Unlike a usual home run trot, there was excitement in Chisenhall’s steps.
On any other day, Chisenhall might not have been in the starting lineup. In Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Friday, he was trusted with a place among the local nine, and he repaid manager Terry Francona’s trust with a game-altering, and potentially series-changing, blast that sparked a 6-0 win at Progressive Field.
Of course Chisenhall homered. Two games into this series, Francona can seemingly do no wrong.
Game Date Time Matchup TV/Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 6 CLE 5, BOS 4 Gm 2 Oct. 7 CLE 6, BOS 0 Gm 3 Oct. 9 4 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 4 Oct. 10 6 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 5 Oct. 12 6 or 8 p.m. BOS @ CLE TBS *- If necessary | All times listed ETShop for postseason gear: Red Sox | Indians • Red Sox vs. Indians ALDS coverage
“He’s been pushing the right buttons,” second baseman Jason Kipnis said.
The next stop is Game 3 at Fenway Park on Sunday (4 p.m. ET on TBS), where the Red Sox — who entered as the overwhelming favorites to win this series, according the postseason prognosticators — will try to dig out of an 0-2 hole. Much of the credit is due to Francona, whose savvy decision-making has helped the Indians earn two remarkable wins.
In Game 1 on Thursday night, Francona’s creative handling of the bullpen — highlighted by bringing leverage weapon Andrew Miller in during the fifth inning — set up a dramatic 5-4 victory. In Game 2, Francona’s decision to hold ace Corey Kluber back one day paid off with seven shutout innings. And, the manager’s move to put Chisenhall in the lineup against the lefty netted a stadium-shaking homer.
Francona handled the early success in his typical …
