CLEVELAND — Through the first two games of the American League Wild Card Series, there haven't been many batters hotter for the Cleveland Indians than Josh Naylor.
So it shouldn't come as a surprise than Sandy Alomar Jr.'s decision to pinch-hit Jordan Luplow for Naylor in the bottom of the seventh inning in Wednesday's Game 2 was met with no shortage of criticism -- especially after the Yankees countered to bring in the right-handed Jonathan Loáisiga to avoid the righty-lefty batting matchup that Alomar was seeking.
But while the criticism Alomar received on social media seemed to happen for eternity, it came to a quick stop. With two runners on and the Indians trailing the Yankees 8-6 while facing elimination, Luplow sent a ball soaring to deep centerfield for a 2-run double that tied the game.
Luplow's heroics marked the latest in a back-and-forth game between Cleveland and New York in which the Indians are looking to avoid elimination and force a Game 3 on Thursday, while the Yankees are trying to advance to the American League Division Series. After jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning -- thanks in part to Naylor -- Cleveland saw its lead evaporate with New York taking a 6-4 lead and then an 8-6 lead.
Nevertheless, the Indians have managed to keep their season alive with the two teams still tied in the bottom of the eighth inning. For all of the latest from Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on Wednesday, follow our live blog.