Former OF Gose flashes 100 mph heat for Indians, fans Perez

CLEVELAND (AP) — Formerly a fleet outfielder, Anthony Gose returned to the majors five years later Monday night as a rocket-armed reliever for the Cleveland Indians, flashing 100 mph heat and fanning Royals slugger Salvador Perez.

Gose pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing one run with one walk and one strikeout in the second game of a doubleheader against Kansas City. Of his 39 pitches, seven zoomed into triple digits.

“His story is something that makes me smile, it really does,” Cleveland interim manager DeMarlo Hale said earlier in the day.

The 31-year-old Gose last played in the majors in 2016 with Detroit. He spent parts of five years with the Tigers and Toronto before becoming a a pitcher.

Now on the mound, the lefty zinged it.

Gose finished his first appearance by striking out Perez — in the first game, the Royals star hit his 46th home run, breaking Johnny Bench’s record for most in a season by a catcher. Perez's homer tied for the most in the majors with Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Gose hit 100 mph on the radar gun with his second pitch, to Hunter Dozier to begin the fourth inning. Dozier drew a walk.

Kyle Isbel then popped up a bunt and Gose nearly collided with third baseman Yu Chang going for the ball. Gose recovered and threw Dozier out at second base.

Hanser Alberto doubled over third base on a 100 mph pitch and Sebastian Rivero's groundout scored a run. Whit Merrifield lined out to left to end the inning.

Gose retired Nicky Lopez on another line drive to left to begin the fifth before striking out Perez on a 98 mph four-seam fastball.

Gose was removed from the game by Hale, who congratulated his new pitcher, as did the other infielders on the mound. Gose also received a nice ovation from the crowd of 11,459 as he walked to the dugout.

Drafted by...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Former-OF-Gose-flashes-100-mph-heat-for-Indians-16474528.php