Lee Wins Again; Offense Awakens

It’s about time the offense came to the party. Because it ain’t no party with out the bashin’.

Cliff Lee Again?: Cliff Lee pitched 27 consecutive scoreless innings, and it came to an end when he gave up a three run home run to Wladimir something or other in the 7th.

So the final line, Six plus, 3 ER, no walks again, he gave up his first home run of the year and 3 strikeouts.

By far not his best, but he was scoreless till the 7th. After the first two batters Wedge should have probably taken him out, but with a guy in his first start of the year, you probably figure Lee can get the job done.

No harm no foul, it was 8-0 at that point..

Lee’s ERA rose to .96.. OH MY HOW COULD HE..

Hey still hasn’t hit the 1.00 yet.

Offense Hits: Hey the offense hit.

You know it’s gonna be a good night when Grady Sizemore leads the game off with a blast.

Carroll follows up with a hit, Victor knocks him over from his new spot, and Garko drives him in with a sac fly.

Franklin Gutierrez has the best bat tonight though, hitting in the SIX spot, he had 2 hits for 3 runs batted in and a run scored.

He is on a bit of a roll lately, so let’s hope that continues.

I’m not sure what I feel about the new lineup. Hafner when he gets back, I don’t know where he will hit. I’m not in favor of Victor at the three hole, I think our must clutch hitter has to be the cleanup guy, and I think had Garko not been struggling, he would have been in the three hole tonight.

I’d say maybe fifth if Wedge really wants to make the change. Or perhaps just give him a day or two off, see what happens. We will find out tomorrow.

I’m also not in favor of Casey Blake hitting so I high. I know he leads the team in RBI, but you just can’t do that right now.

Tomorrow is the finale, and the Indians could use a series win. Miguel Batista against Paul Byrd.

[BOXSCORE]

Tribe Blow Late Comeback

After tying the game up in the 8th inning, the Indians seemed they wouldn’t let this one slip away after all. That was until Adrian Beltre got his hands on a pitch.

I’ve got a complaint: Adrian Beltre did hit the big home run in the 9th inning that started the big inning for the M’s. But all night he was ticking me off with his antics at the plate.

If you watched him against Carmona, he would continuously lean out of the way like all of Carmona’s pitches inside were going to hit him. Beltre walked three times in that game, and really that type of crap just lights a fire under me. If I was Carmona I would have pegged him for real or just started throwing something that would really make him move.

With that: Let’s get to Carmona…

So far this year he has pitched well, but there is one difference between Carmona last year and this year.

It is the walks. He is walking a lot more people than he did last year. For him it is not a problem, because at any time he can record two outs with one pitch, but you do have to wonder why he is walking so many people. Maybe hitters have just given up and said “lets not even swing at that stuff”, who knows. Still can’t fault the effort Carmona gave tonight, and had Cabrera not commit an error to extend an inning and eventually let them score an unearned run, we might have had a different outcome.

Betancourt blew the game in the 9th.. That’s all there is to it.

But Craig Breslow.. WHY? Why has it taken Wedge so long to get him in the game.. And then you put him in the worst possible situation, when you need to keep it at least a little closer?

Wedge needs to start using Breslow more, he waited way to long to use him, and I think it has been just about two weeks since he pitched. Last night was not fair to him at all.

Silva Shuts Offense Down: Carlos Freaking Silva? How is he pitching so well this early?

I don’t know, but he continued again tonight against us. He really isn’t a good match for a patient hitting team like the Tribe, but you figure with the recent struggles, the offense might have been primed to break out against him.

Guess not. Early they got to Silva, with a pair of doubles in the first by Sizemore and Dellucci. Travis Hafner continued to suck it up as he wasn’t able to keep the rally going. Dellucci got stranded on base after being on 2nd with no body out and that was it for the time being.

The offense scored again after that Sizemore and Dellucci combo did it again.. This time Hafner grounded out, which knocked in a run. That was it for scoring.

Victor Martinez’s hit sreak is up to 11 games.

Everyone else went hitless, except for Franklin Gutierrez, who had THREE hits.

Tonight it is Cliff Lee and Jarrod Washburn, this is a must win. It is our best vs their worst so far this year.

[BOXSCORE]

Tribe Fall, Series Split; Laffey Loses No-No

What a painful game.. Like I said I can take losing to an ace who pitches well. But this one sucks.

Laffey Pitches Well: He pitched as good as you could have expected him too. He got over a first inning walk and error to survive the inning, then went on to no hit the Yankees till the 6th inning. When everything just seemed to fall apart.

Eerily similar to the way Sowers did.. And in the same way.. Laffey was removed and Jensen Lewis came in. He let up some more runs including one charged to himself, and Laffey’s good start turned into a mediocre one.

Offense comes up short: The offense just couldn’t get it together against Mussina. They had numerous chances to do something. To the tune of 16 men left on base.

Thing is Victor and Travis did not leave any on.. they just didn’t have the chances.. Travis knocked one in with a sacrifice fly, but none of the big guys had the chances to knock people in.

Carroll had 5 left on base, Peralta and Dellucci had four.

How much does this team miss Grady Sizemore at the top? David Dellucci just isn’t a leadoff guy, he does sit better in the two hole.. Then Carroll wouldn’t have been there..

It just is all out of wack, hopefully Grady gets back soon.

Tomorrow it is Carlos Silva and Fausto Carmona at Progressive to kick off a series with the Mariners.

[BOXSCORE]

Clearing Up Roster Moves

Just to make clear all the roster moves that happened or will happen.

Jeremy Sowers was called up to start on Saturday, Ben Francisco sat.

Sowers was then called down after his start, to call up Brad Snyder. Snyder was an extra body in the outfield just in case because Grady Sizemore could not go no matter what on Sunday.

They did not recall Francisco cause I’m sure he was playing or had played in the Buffalo game or they just didn’t want to call him up to be a backup for one day. Snyder just did happen to be on the 40 man, the downside is his major league clock has started.

Snyder will now be called down today so Aaron Laffey can pitch in Monday’s game.

After that, I’m assuming Laffey will get called down. They will either call up Ben Francisco, or just immediately call up Sowers so he can start later this week, probably on Friday.

Three Up, Three Down: April 14th – 27th

I have decided to make it a bi-weekly feature because it makes much more sense.

The past two weeks have seen some really down play but some really encouraging play as of late from the Indians.

First up: Casey Blake

Blake was probably down the last time around and he was on his way to being down again. But he went from batting near .150 to being the team leader in runs batted in.

In the past two weeks he has raised his average to .229, hit two home runs and knocked in 12 runs.

Since the 14th of April he is hitting .314 and really has become that guy we are used to at the bottom of the order picking everyone up.

That is one thing the offense was missing the first few weeks, was Casey Blake being productive in the nine hole. He did it the first game of the year to win it, but since then his offense was non-existent.

Second Up: Victor Martinez

It looks as if Victor Martinez has finally found his footing after finally shaking off the early injury struggles.

Since April 14th Victor is hitting .432 with seven runs batted in, and it’s no coincidence that since he started hitting well, the Indians have been winning games.

He is the team leader and a big important piece of their offense. Martinez always comes up in the clutch for the Indians, but perhaps Saturday evening was the first time he had an actual walk off hit to win the game.

Martinez singled home Grady Sizemore with the bases loaded to give the Indians a 5-4 victory over the New York Yankees.

If the Indians offense wants to continue to have that efficient scoring offense they want, Martinez needs to be hitting like this.

Third Up: Masa Kobayashi

If there is one guy who has stepped up in the absence of Joe Borowski, it has been Masa Kobayashi.

Kobayashi was slowly elevated to the eighth inning set-up role with Rafael Betancourt closing games.

Rafael Perez who has struggled at times has been pitching the sixth and seventh innings, was thought to be the eighth inning guy after Borowski went down.

But, Kobayashi took the role and hasn’t looked back. On Saturday he got his first major league win, and since moving into that role he has been nearly flawless.

Since the 17th he has pitched six innings with no runs, a win and only three base runners.

First Down: Joe Borowski, Jake Westbrook

They are not down for the reasons you think either.

Jake Westbrook has been solid but now he is headed to the disabled list for at least a month.

While Borowski is a little closer to returning, it was found out he will be out at least a month since the time he was first placed on the disabled list. Jake Westbrook will also have to spend at least four weeks there.

Both pitchers take a hit to the strong depth of the Indians staff. Borowski’s injury has caused a bullpen shuffle, elevating guys like Jorge Julio into more crucial roles, and so far he hasn’t handled it well.

That has caused Rafael Perez to be used as early as the sixth inning.

Jake Westbrook’s injury, combined with a rain out of the second game against Kansas City, caused the Indians to adjust their rotation and call upon not one, but two Buffalo starters.

Jeremy Sowers pitched well in his debut against the Yankees, but Aaron Laffey will also have to be called up to make the start on Monday.

Hopefully this pair can get back on the field soon, they only make the Tribe pitching staff deeper.

Second Down: Travis Hafner

You hate to see Travis down, especially since it really isn’t because of his hitting.

While he is only hitting .206 over the past two weeks, and leading the team in strikeouts, Hafner is being bothered by a sore shoulder.

It caused him to miss a game in Minnesota, and ever since he started the next day you can tell something is just preventing him to swing the bat like we know he can.

He has hit a home run and knocked in six runs since the 14th of April, but his shoulder is causing him to tighten up at the plate and only try and swing at balls inside. He can’t go the other way and it is very noticeable.

Third Down: Grady Sizemore

Two of the Indians most important offensive players are down?

While Sizemore has struggled at the plate the past few weeks, there is more to this selection.

Sizemore’s 382 consecutive games played streak came to an end on Sunday when he failed to play against the Yankees.

Eric Wedge has sat him in the past, but usually found a way to get him in the game and keep the streak alive.

This time though, Wedge couldn’t do that and Sizemore’s streak was put to a halt.

Sizemore got hurt in what was described as a “strained” or “sore” right ankle.

While Grady was hitting .217 over the past two weeks, he did start to turn it on before the injury, knocking in four runs in his past five games, including a home run against the Royals.

Hopefully the injury is one that doesn’t lag on Sizemore, and he can start up a new streak as soon as possible.

Indians Lose Pitchers Duel

It was the definition of a pitchers duel.

Sabathia Goes 8, Gives Up 1: C.C. Sabathia was good as you could expect. He went eight innings and only gave up only four hits.

The lone run was a Melky Cabrera home run.

The thing you like most about his start today is that he struck out eight and only gave up one walk.

C.C. has definitely got it together after a rough start.. He got tagged with this loss but he for sure does not deserve it.

Wang Shuts it Down: I mean you can’t complain when a guy as good as Wang shuts you down.

9 strikeouts in 7 innings.

He too only gave up 4 hits.

Dellucci, Gutierrez, Michaels and Martinez got the four hits.

Wow yes.. Dellucci, Gutierrez and Michaels.

That means Grady Sizemore’s consecutive games played streak is now officially over.

Sizemore has a mild strain of his ankle and while he probably could have been available to pinch hit, he wasn’t needed and the streak will end at 382.

One more game to go. It is Aaron Laffey making his first start of the year… He takes on Mike Mussina and the Indians can win the series with a win.

[BOXSCORE]

Borowski and Westbrook Update

Joe Borowski will play catch for the first time since going on the DL soon.

If things go well he can avoid another MRI and could be on his road to returning.

The Tribe are definitely taking it easy on him though.

“He won’t be ready for activity [until] after the 15-day period,” Soloff said. “We’re hopeful it’s going to be four weeks total.” – (Indians.com)

Same for Jake Westbrook who’s spot is being occupied by Jeremy Sowers who pitched well yesterday.

Jake might be on the shelf for a month, which is longer than I expected..

Shin-Soo Choo is also on the road to return, he is finally playing in the field and when he plays all nine innings of a game in Extended Spring Training he will begin a rehab assignment, which is a max of 20 days.

I’m expecting the Tribe to take all 20 days.

Walk Off Win Over Yankees

So five in a row and a big two game early advantage over the Yankees.

Kobayashi gets first win, Sowers good: Wow, I was legit surprised at the effectiveness of Jeremy Sowers.

Five solid innings from The Professor. He ran into trouble in the 6th inning, getting one out but putting three men on base.

He was lifted for Jensen Lewis, who got a strikeout of Cano, but then gave up a pinch hit triple to Jorge Posada that tied the game.

Sowers got charged with all three runs.

Thankfully Kobayashi came in and pitched two more solid innings to earn his first major league win.

Offense Eeks It: They did just eek it out.

The first four in the lineup had all four RBIs.. Grady knocked in the first run, Dellucci the second, Hafner the third and the winning run was via Victor Martinez.

The Yankees walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, pitching AROUND Travis Hafner.. Puzzling..

To get to Victor Martinez, our most clutch hitter.

Low and behold.. Walk off single.

WINNER

Great win.. Paul Byrd and Jeremy Sowers on the mound, we get wins.

CC goes tomorrow so hopefully we can lock up a series win.

[BOXSCORE]

Peralta comes up big in win over Yankees

The P-Rizzle himself was hot today, and he carried the Tribe to a big opening series win against the Yankees. With the two young guys making their first starts this season, it is nice to get this win under the belt.

Peralta leads offense: Jhonny Peralta provided most of the offense tonight. He had a big hit in the first inning after Pettitte walked Martinez. Later in the game with two outs after consecutive hits from Hafner and Victor, Peralta took a 3-1 offering up and over the wall in left field.

He was simply on point tonight, Pettitte didn’t want any part of Vic and he paid the price.

Franklin Gutierrez also had a big solo home run. Pettitte fell behind him as well and gave up a big old beach ball toss that Franklin sent plenty of rows back in the bleachers.

Jamey Carroll added a bloop single to score Grady.

Byrd Decent: Can’t complain about 5+ with 4 runs. Giambi was the only guy he struggled with.. He just couldn’t pitch him anything.

Matsui touched him up as well, but for the most part Paul Byrd did a good job keeping the likes of A-Rod in check.

Still he needs to be able to go at least another inning. Thankfully Cliff Lee saved our bullpen last night so it was ready to go. Perez worked 2.1 innings of one hit baseball and Rafael Betancourt got save number two.

Tomorrow is a early evening game on FOX, it is Ian Kennedy vs Jeremy Sowers.

[BOXSCORE]

Lee, Carmona Lead Tribe to Sweep in Double Header

How about that…

Cliff Lee does it again and out pitches one of the hottest pitchers in the month of April, Brian Bannister.. The Tribe win both games in the double header, and sweep the KC Royals.

Cliff and Carmona: Cliff Lee faced two batters over the minimum, giving up only three hits and striking out nine batters. That is a season high and he just continues to make the opposing team look silly.

His ERA is now down to 0.28. Cliff is probably the best picher in the entire American League so far. He leads the league in ERA, and among all the pitchers who have pitched four games or less, he leads them in innings. He is third in the AL in strikeouts with 29.

Cliff has been spectacular so far. Let’s hope he keeps it up.

Carmona had a little bit more of a rougher time out there.. He now leads the Majors in walks after he walked four more.

He did go five and get the win, but he gave up a lot of hits and had a lot of people on base once again. That is how Carmona works, but you wanna see the walks go down, cause that certainly isn’t his game.

Rafael Perez came in earlier than expected, gave up a few runs in the 7th, and was relieved by Masa Kobayashi who pitched well in the setup role. Masa came in and got the final out in the 7th and then pitched a perfect 8th.

Rafael Betancourt got his first save chance of the year, and converted. Horray!

The second game was all Cliff Lee, that does wonders for a bullpen in a double header.

Offense keeps rolling: They got a lot of runs off Tomko and the pen in the first game, so against Bannister you were hoping for a couple and Cliff Lee to pitch well.

That is exactly what happened.

Bannister was good, until the 7th when he gave up David Dellucci’s third home run of the year and then Asdrubal Cabrera’s double to bring in Travis Hafner. The offense would need just those two runs.

The first game they needed a lot more. The first few innings was the main scoring parts of the game. The first inning they tacked on one with Victor Martinez knocking in Jamey Carroll.

In the 2nd Blake Knocked home Francisco and Sizemore knocked in Blake in a very weird play.

The 3rd inning they added four more, Garko knocked in Hafner, Francisco knocked in Martinez, and Jason Michaels knocked home Francisco and Garko.

Grady Sizemore added his 3rd home run of the year in the 5th, and Casey Blake added his 18th RBI of the year in the 7th.. Last week he was batting in the .100’s.. Now he leads the team in RBIs.

Everyone but Garko got a hit in the first game… Victor went 3-5 and Grady 4-5.

Travis went 2-4 in the second game, and Shoppach had the other hit for the Indians, Andy Marte went 0-2.

Up next is the four game Yankee homestand. Paul the Wall Byrd goes up against Andy Pettitte. Kennedy/Sowers on Saturday, Wang/Sabathia on Sunday, and Laffey/Mussina on Monday.

[BOXSCORE GAME 1]

[BOXSCORE GAME 2]