Hafner Could Play First This Weekend

In order to keep Travis Hafner in the lineup this weekend with no DHing allowed in the National League Parks, Eric Wedge may have to sit one of his more hotter bats.

Up until three days ago Garko wouldn’t have exactly been hot, but he had 5 RBIs against Oakland this week. If Hafner’s elbow holds up, he should play at least two of the games in Cincinnati.

“We want to try and have him in there as much as we can,” said Wedge. “If we have him in there, you’re going to have to take Ryan Garko or someone else out.

“We’re going to see how he feels physically. . . . He’s been taking ground balls and throwing a little bit.” (The Plain Dealer)

As you may or may not know, Hafner has battled elbow problems in the past, which has been the primary reason he can’t play first base. A lot of people say he isn’t very good defensively, but he isn’t exactly a slouch there. I bet if he had consistent playing time at first, he wouldn’t be a bad every day option there.

Kobayashi Saves the Day; Indians Sweep A’s

Rafael Betancourt couldn’t nail it down, and Eric Wedge made the right move to bring in Kobayashi, because when things aren’t going well, you just have to stuff all the food in your mouth, and chipmunk it.

Kobayashi Picks Up 2nd Save: It looks like Rafael Betancourt has lost his closers spot. At least just for the day. Right now who knows, because Joe Borowski is schedule to make a rehab start pretty soon.

Betancourt struggled in the top of the ninth. He loaded the bases and got one out before Wedge gave him the hook.

In comes Kobayashi for his second save of his major league career. Things looked bad when he threw a wild pitch to score a run, but he struck out the brothers Sweeney to end the game and notch the sweep of Oakland.

Laffey Wins, Streak Ends: The streak is over, we only added one more inning onto it before Laffey gave up a run on his own error.

The good news is it was an unearned run(even though Laffey committed the mistake), so unearned scoreless is going even farther.

The homestand saw 2 runs given up by starters score, and only one of those was earned. So kudos to the starters, and Laffey had his hand in on it. He goes to 2-2 with a 5 hits, 1 unearned run, one walk and six punchouts. He lowered his ERA to 1.35.

Offense Hits: This was an Indians type of offensive performance. They didn’t clobber the A’s…They simply worked the count, built up Greg Smith’s pitch count, and just go into that pen. They got a lot of hits, and just manufactured runs the old fashioned way. Go a home run late, and took home the win.

The biggest part was the 3-4-5 hitters all getting RBIs. Francisco knocked one in, Garko knocked one in and Hafner knocked one in. Then Peralta from the two spot knocked in one with the home run. So the top of the order produced.

Peralta went 2-3 with the jack, three runs scored and a walk. He seems to be getting it going, maybe he isn’t that bad in the two spot after all.

Hafner went 1-2 with the RBI and he walked twice which was huge.

Francisco went 3-4 with the RBI and he made a great play in left field to cut off Frank Thomas from a double.

Greg Smith gave up 7 hits and walked 3, so he had a lot of baserunners and most of the time it was the lead off guy. You do want to see them score more runs with lead off guys, but getting the starter out is the name of the game, and that is just what they did.

Marte got a hit and was thrown out at 2nd trying to steal. That was all Eric Wedge trying to be aggressive and stay out of a double play, but Smith’s pick off move was pretty good and he pretty much had him dead to rights.

Tomorrow we head to Cincinnati for interleague play, and we get to see Johnny Cueto face off against Jeremy Sowers. I’ll have more on that later today about Hafner and the lineup.

[BOXSCORE]

Prospect Notebook: Michael Aubrey

With Aubrey up in Buffalo doing well, I think it is time we highlight him in Prospect Notebook. Aubrey could garner a call-up later this year and if he continues to hit at Buffalo, I can’t see them sending him back to Akron, even after Jordan Brown gets back. He is out of options after this year, even though he has yet to really have significant time on the Major league club. He hit .282 in Akron with two home runs and 18 RBI. At Buffalo he is hitting .345 with five RBI.

Michael Aubrey: First Baseman Age: 25
Bats/Throws: L/L
Acquired: Drafted 1st Round in 2003
2007 Kinston/Akron: .277 AVG, 12 HR, 45 RBI, 37 R
2008 Team: Akron
ETA: 2008 September Call-up

Aubrey is just a solid hitter. His game is doubles hitting but he has some pop and can have a higher average than what he did last year.

Aubrey set the world on fire in Spring Training of 2008 showing that if he is healthy he can hit. He didn’t have much time but with that time he was a doubles machine and really impressed the Tribe. He was sent to Akron to start the year but it won’t be long before he is in Buffalo and eventually Cleveland. Being it his last option year the Tribe have to make a decision on him soon and find out if he can be a part of their club in some capacity. They have two years, but this is a crucial one for Aubrey to maintain his health and his ability to hit the ball.

Notes: Last Option Year in 2008