Indians: Jordan Luplow steps up with massive five RBI game

With just two hits, Jordan Luplow destroyed the Detroit Tigers. The Indians’ outfielder led the way Saturday night as the Indians effortlessly defeated the Tigers 11-3 behind a joint offensive effort. That said, it was Luplow who struck early and struck the hardest. With just those two hits, Luplow put the game away.

Granted, when Luplow got his first hit, a home run, it was the 4th inning and the Indians had a 3-0 lead already. Luplow, however, would make it a 6-0 lead. Then in the 6th, Luplo would double to deep left, scoring another two, putting the Indians up 8-0. The five-RBI game couldn’t have come at a better time for Luplow, who is trying to make himself an everyday outfielder for the Tribe.

This is all coming off of the play of Taylor Naquin, who the team let go in free agency and replaced him with Ben Gamel. Naquin is tearing the cover off the ball, and making the Indians look silly for letting him go.

The Indians’ outfield, especially center field, has been a mess since spring training. No one stepped up and took the job, and Terry Francona made it a three-man platoon of sorts with Luplow, Gamel, and Amed Rosario all vying for the spot. On Saturday, Luplow got the start in right, which is usually Josh Naylor’s spot but he got the night off.

He wasn’t the only Tribe hitter with a multi-RBI game, as Roberto Perez and Andres Gimenez both had two RBI on the day, while Cezar Hernandez and Franmil Reyes also contributed with solo home runs.

For Luplow, this is an encouraging sign. He has good power and is an all-around good player, so if he can prove he can be consistent, he may just take over one of those outfield spots for good. After all, the only player who can safely say he has an everyday spot is Eddie Rosario.

It’s still an early season, so no one should be getting high on their horses just yet, but the Indians are showing; at least against the Tigers, that they can in fact score.