Brantley's Career High 557 At Bats

for the third game in a row and 6th time this month, Michael set another career high. (at this point, aren't you just like, what else is new? LOL!) in the game against the Detroit Tigers on September 13, Michael acquired his 12th new career high of the season when he totaled 557 at bats.

in his 3rd at bat of tonight's game, Michael was facing Kyle Lobstein with Mike Aviles at 2nd base and 2 outs in the top of the 5th inning. after a 1-0 count, Michael lined out to right fielder Torii Hunter and the Indians top half of the inning was over. but that out counted as an official at bat, giving Michael the new career high of 557 at bats this season. his previous high was 556 ABs in 2013.

screenshots cropped from a video on Indians.com

this exchange between Torii and Michael is kind of hilarious. while Torii is running in, he gives Michael an "i'm sorry, i had to get you out" type of apologetic look. Michael deadpans back at first, then smiles wide, as if to say, "yeah, just wait until you hit something to left." lol i think it's just typical Michael though, racking up another loud line drive out.

Michael had one other final at bat tonight, resulting in a ground ball single to left field. add that to his 1st inning 2-run home run, and it represented multi-hit game #51 on the year. wow. so when the game was over (a tough 5-4 loss for the Tribe, potentially ending all playoff hopes), Michael had 558 at bats. and with 14 games left, he should finish around 610 ABs this year.

my biggest question now is, what other way is there to say congratulations to this man for his latest accomplishment? well done? way to go? you're a freakin' animal this season? haha ;D

Brantley's Career High 160 Hits

it's been a while since his last, but Michael Brantley set another new career high tonight in his first at bat during the game against the Detroit Tigers on September 2. he now has 160 hits in a season, beating out his previous career high of 159 hits, set in 2012.

Michael was facing left-handed pitcher Kyle Lobstein for the first time ever, and normally in that situation, the pitcher has the advantage. Lobstein threw Michael 3 straight balls and then 2 strikes. after the 3-2 count in the bottom of the 1st inning, Michael hit a 2-out single to right field, setting the new record for himself. he later scored a run when Carlos Santana hit a home run to give the Indians a quick 2-0 lead.

so congratulations again to Michael on another personal best! i am very proud of all of his career highs so far, especially these team leading 160 hits. talk about a "smooth operator" lol and with 25 games left to play, i think he can easily tack on another 20 hits to his new career high. you go, boy! =D


postgame edit:

Cody Allen blew the Tribe's 2-1 lead in the top of the 9th inning. that allowed Michael to bat in the bottom of the 9th, and he hit another 2-out single, this time to left field, off Detroit's closer Joe Nathan after a 3-1 count. that was his 2nd hit of the game, giving him 161 hits now overall. way to add onto that new career high quickly lol sadly, the Indians could not rally any further, and they lost the game, 4-2.