SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Zach Plesac didn’t get to open the season with the Indians last year on July 24 at Progressive Field. There were no fans in the stands, and the pandemic was raging, but opening day is still opening day to players.
That will not be the case this year. After making his final start of the spring on Monday in a 5-4 loss to Kansas City at Surprise Stadium, Plesac will face the Tigers on Saturday in the second game of the regular season at Comerica Park.
“I didn’t get to walk out on the field on opening day last year because we needed an outfielder,” said Plesac, who was optioned to the alternate site just before the season opener. “This is super special for me. Super important for me. Every single day I wake up with the intention of being a big leaguer and doing things I’m supposed to do. Now I’m in a position to be on the opening day roster as a starter and it’s an honor.”
The Indians lost Monday’s game long after Plesac (1-2, 6.56 ERA) left with one out in the sixth. Gabriel Cancel, with two out in the ninth, hit a walk-off double against Cal Quantrill to give the Royals the win. Quantrill should have been out of the inning, but Bubba Startling’s leadoff flare to short center field fell among center fielder Alex Call, second baseman Aaron Bracho and shortstop Bryan Rocchio for a single.
Plesac’s first big league camp was not smooth. He allowed 17 earned runs on 27 hits, including nine homers, in 23 1/3 innings. He struck out 24 and walked six in six starts.
Such struggles are not uncommon for young starters who have had a brush with success in the big leagues. There are no game plans and scouting reports in spring training. It’s just pitchers vs. hitters as both groups try to get ready for the regular season.
Plesac said he learned a lot during his time in the desert.
“It’s about what goals you want to reach in camp and where you want to be when you’re ready to leave,” he said. “What are you intentions on how to approach hitters and how my pitches work. I had some success last year, but we have a long season this year. It’s going to about establishing a game plan and adjusting.”
In the first inning Plesac struck out former teammate Carlos Santana on a curveball that froze Kansas City’s new first baseman. In the third inning, Santana struck back with a two-out homer. It was his fourth of the spring.
“Hey, if anybody was going to get a hit off me, I was glad it was him,” said Plesac. “This is something new for me. I didn’t want to look him in the eyes in the first at-bat. I didn’t know if we were cool or it was like keep your distance. But it was cool to see him give me a head nod and me give it back. That was respect.”
Two of the hits Plecac allowed were home runs. Hunter Dozier hit a two-run homer in the second for a 2-0 lead. It traveled 435 feet and left the bat at 107 mph.
A two-run homer by Jose Fermin gave the Indians a 4-3 lead in the eighth, but they couldn’t hold it. Ryan O’Hearn pulled the Royals into a 4-4 tie with a leadoff homer in the eighth off Phil Maton. It was only the second run Maton has allowed in 10 appearances this spring.
In another development Jake Bauers will not go the whole Cactus League season without an RBI. Bauers doubled off the fence in the sixth for the Indians first run.
Next: RHP Aaron Civale (1-2, 6.14 ERA) will face Arizona on Tuesday in the Indians final exhibition games. The Diamondbacks have not named a pitcher. The game is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. EST. SportsTime Ohio will televise it.
A variety of Cleveland Indians face masks available online today. (Fanatics.com)
The Talkin’ Tribe Opening Day event will take place virtually on April 5, 2021 from noon – 1:30 p.m. -- featuring Indians sports writers and columnists from cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Tickets can be reserved here. Plus, join our VIP experience and get the opportunity to mingle with former Cleveland Indians players and more. There are only 150 tickets available for this exclusive experience and tickets can only be won through our sweepstakes.
New Indians face masks for sale: Here’s where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charity.
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