Baltimore Orioles @ Cleveland Indians (2)

The second of my two games in Cleveland also featured the Baltimore Orioles. I remembered to get my fleece out to take to the game in case it got cold later on - and then promptly left it on my bed when I went to the game. Fortunately, it didn't get cold this evening. I had the same seat as yesterday, but unlike yesterday, nobody with me in my row or in the row in front, which meant there was plenty of space. The crowd was 11 and a half thousand this evening. I thought that the crowd was unusually small yesterday and I read today on mlb.com that 9962 it is historically low for a September game in Cleveland and very disappointing for a play-off contender. Having said that, I overheard a couple of grumpy old men at breakfast in the hotel this morning talking about the way that the Indians have been treating their season ticket holders - apparently, they're not at all happy at what they're being asked for (money further in advance in return for fewer benefits) - and hence not coming!

This game just crept over the 3 hour mark, as the Indians edged the Orioles in another close one. This game was a Zach-Fest: Baltimore's started was Zach Britton, whilst Cleveland started Zach McAllister. Neither made it to half way through the game. The Indians erupted for 4 runs in the bottom of the 1st, which led to one of many mound visits by Buck Showalter in the early innings, eventually leading to his starter not making it out of the 3rd. Terry Francona didn't get an easy night either, as his starter couldn't make it through the 5th following a 3-run homer that tied the score at 4. It really looked as if Britton was going to get out of the 0-out bases-loaded jam in the 1st with just the one run scoring, but it wasn't to be.

I had a hot dog and chips at tonight's game - I imagine that's dealt with my weekly salt requirements in one go, as the chips here are incredibly over-salted. They also serve you water in a giant polystyrene mug rather than in a bottle, so at least you can try to combat the salt that way!