Game of the Week: 6/15-6/21

Last week, we took a break from our regularly scheduled programming of reliving an exciting game to recap some of the best games that had gone unnoticed. While this tactic may be employed in future weekly recaps, this week boasted an incredible game worthy of the top spot all by its lonesome. Interestingly enough, it actually took place on Monday, at the beginning of the week, as opposed to the end of the week, when games seem to resonate much more. On Monday, the Indians and Brewers engaged in an epic interleague battle capped by a pretty remarkable comeback.

At two different junctures, the Indians had a probability of winning greater than 93 percent. In the fourth inning, with an 8-3 lead, the Tribe had a 93.2 percent shot at being victorious. At the end of the sixth frame, leading 12-7, their win expectancy stood pat at 96.5 percent. There was only a 3.5 percent chance the Indians would lose this game. If it were to be repeated 99 more times, the Brewers would win, given the circumstances of the sixth inning, under four times. This would be one of those four games.

Carl Pavano and Dave Bush squared off in a battle of underachievers, and after a two-run homer off the bat of Victor Martinez, a third of the game had been finished with the Indians on top, 4-3. Bush struggled in the fourth and would not stay in to see it to its end. After walking Luis Valbuena he beaned Kelly Shoppach. Valbuena advanced to third on a wild pitch with Jamey Carroll at the dish, and then scored on Carroll’s single, increasing the lead to 5-3.

Mark DeRosa then singled in Shoppach, and thanks to an error on the part of Ryan Braun, Carroll advanced to third with DeRosa moving up to second. V-Mart promptly singled them in and the fourth inning ended with an 8-3 lead for the Tribe.

A two-run triple off the bat of Braun and a sac fly from Prince Fielder brought the Brewers within two, and another sac fly from Craig Counsell in the sixth lessened the margin to one run. The Indians did not stand pat in their half of the sixth, however, tacking on four more runs on a solo shot from DeRosa and a three-run dinger from Travis Hafner.

In the seventh, Corey Hart added to the Brewers runs total with a (shocker!) sac fly. After seven innings, the Indians led 12-8, and would rely on Luiz Vizcaino to start the bullpen party. After J.J. Hardy flied out, Vizcaino issued free passes to Counsell and Mike Rivera. Matt Herges came in and walked Casey McGehee. Braun hit an RBI single, keeping the bases loaded with one out and the score 12-9. Rafael Perez came in for Herges but fared no better, as Prince Fielder launched a grand slam, putting the Brewers ahead 13-12.

After Corey Hart singled and Mike Cameron walked, Mat Gamel knocked Hart in to increase the new found lead to 14-12. Todd Coffey and Mitch Stetter easily handled the Tribe in the seventh and eighth frames, and despite the outing being a tad rocky, Trevor Hoffman successfully converted the save to cap an incredible comeback.