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Perez slugs two huge HRs in Game 1
- Updated: October 26, 2016
CLEVELAND — It’s a subtle art, what Roberto Perez has done behind the plate for these Indians pitchers, and Tuesday’s showing in Game 1 of the World Series against the Cubs only further boosted his prestige as one of the game’s best defensive specialists.
Perez stole strikes from a star-powered Cubs lineup, and then he downright stole the show with two home runs, something he had never done as a professional.
• Game 2: Tonight, 7 p.m. ET game time on FOX (6 p.m. ET pregame show on FS1)
Perez hit a solo rocket in the fourth to support ace Corey Kluber and a three-run shot in the eighth, both into the left-field seats, that accounted for four of Cleveland’s runs in a decisive 6-0, 15-strikeout shutout of the Cubs at Progressive Field, causing jubilation among the Tribe faithful.
Game Date Time (air time/game time) Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 25 CLE 6, CHC 0 Gm 2 Oct. 26 7 p.m. (6 p.m. pregame show on FS1) CHC @ CLE FOX Gm 3 Oct. 28 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CLE @ CHC FOX Gm 4 Oct. 29 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CLE @ CHC FOX *Gm 5 Oct. 30 8 p.m. CLE @ CHC FOX *Gm 6 Nov. 1 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CHC @ CLE FOX *Gm 7 Nov. 2 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CHC @ CLE FOX * If necessary | All times listed ET • World Series coverageShop for postseason gear: Cubs | Indians
“Oh, I don’t think I’ve ever had a night like that,” Perez said.
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Not many catchers have, certainly not in the World Series. Only legends Yogi Berra (1956) and Johnny Bench (1976) ever hit two home runs with four RBIs in a World Series game.
“My goodness,” Indians manager Terry Francona gushed, “that was exciting to watch.”
And mostly unexpected.
The 27-year-old Perez has unleashed three long balls this postseason, after coming up with three total in 184 regular-season plate appearances, to add yet another exceptional subplot to an …
