 He followed that up in May with two game-winning hits in the ninth inning over three days against the New York Yankees.However, he struggled in the second half of the season, finishing the year with a .205 batting average in 80 games played, and was demoted to the Portland Beavers after the season ended.Entering the 1972 season, Hodge was not invited to spring training, as Indians management felt he needed to work on his fielding to return to the majors, which Hodge felt was unjust since he had been used as a pinch hitter the primary season and was not given the opportunity to field.