It probably helps that the Cleveland Indians held a three-run lead against a team with a 45-83 record coming into Friday night’s game. It probably helps that none of the opponent’s top three hitters came to the plate at any point in the ninth inning.
And it’s definitely true that neither of those things matter to Brad Hand, as the Cleveland closer held the Kansas City Royals scoreless en route to his first save in what seems like forever.
The Tribe got just enough offense to earn an early lead against the Royals on Friday night, starting with a two-run single off the bat of Tyler Naquin and ending on a two-run homer from Francisco Lindor.