Sal Fasano and his feast upon a Tiger; Tribe Win

Following all the trade madness I haven’t had a chance.

No deals for Paul Byrd, but he is one guy that could get moved via the Non-Waiver Deadline.

Fear not for the Indians have finally won. It should have been a three game series win, but I guess a split isn’t half bad.

The unsung hero was who else but the big fat man, Sal Fasano and his 2 RBI. He was soooooo close to the jack. Chaos would have occurred here if he had went deep. How about him though? He’s absolutely crushed the Tigers this year in his two games against them. Now the two RBIs that really extended the leads.

Grady Sizemore had the big crushing blow after a HBP and a walk by Verlander. First pitch fastball right in the wheelhouse had nooo chance at all. Add in an RBI HBP later in the game and Grizzle put a little more distance between himself and Peralta in the RBI race.

He’s now five ahead of Peralta who had one himself in the first inning. A few doubles lead to an early 1-0 lead.

Carmona pitched as well as you could hope for and yet his defense aboslutely let him down on more than one occasion.

I’m going to chalk it up to fatigue and just not having their heads screwed on straight.. It was a less than 12 hour turnaround so I’m sure both teams were feeling it considering there was 5 total erros, many of them stupid.

Carmona only got two earned, and he really got hurt by the Shin-Soo Choo I don’t have my sun-glasses on in the field play. Rick Manning was heated about that.. Settle down boy.

Kobayashi and Perez shut the door rather emphatically, giving up just one hit and striking out four combined.

Tomorrow is more fun as we re-up with the Minnesota Twins.. This time in Minnesota. Jeremy Sowers on the bump against Mr. Magician himself, Nick Blackurn. It is indeed a rematch of last Sunday’s battle.

[BOXSCORE]

Super Pre-Trade Deadline Update

Hello one and all.. Of all days to sleep in, I chose the trading deadline. For some reason I went to bed at my normal time and woke up at 11:30. With the game getting ready to start, here is what I’ve got in the world of the Cleveland Indians.

Buffalo beat up on Durham again. This time it was Brad Snyder who was a single away from having the cycle.. Two nights in a row now a Bisons’ player was missing the single.

The Box Score is escaping me because the Bisons site blows and I can’t get a box-score once they put the new game up. Jerks. Jeff Weaver got the win.

Erie edged Akron in extras. Bronson Sardinha and Wes Hodges had solo shots. Scott Lewis started and went six solid giving up one un-earned run.

I’ve been waiting to talk about this since I saw it last night.. Myrtle Beach put an absolute crushing on Kinston. Shawn Nottingham gave up 10 runs and Cristo Arnal, an infielder take in mind, gave up SIX RUNS in an inning.. Not sure why he was pitching.

Are you kidding me? I might do an in-game blog if I can get the right game.. I could go nuts…. This is ridiculous.. How are they giving him third base on this? What a complete joke.. He shouldn’t even get second. How is Sal Fasano going to do anything when the ball hits the umpire..

Get FIRED UP Wedge… For the love of God.

Lake County won last night, I can’t get the Boxscore, they are currently playing and leading.

Mahoning Valley is starting to get their footing. They won again and Lonnie Chisenhall went deep for the fourth time this year.

And the run scores.. There is no justice.. YOU JERKS

Garrett Rieck was called up to take the spot of Rob Bryson at Lake County, who went on the disabled list. He has a partially torn rotator cuff.

Onto the majors.. Kelly Shoppach’s five hit performance was only the second time an AL player had five extra base hits in a game. Remarkably the only two players are Shoppach and Lou Bordeau.. Both Cleveland Indians. He’s also the only catcher to ever do it.

So far.. Nothing on Paul Byrd other than what I posted yesterday. The Rockies have interest as well but I don’t know if anything will get done there. Ken Griffey Jr is a White Sox though, so that should be fun seeing him there.. I guess they are getting sick of Thome’s lack of production against the left handers.

Shapiro said he doesn’t expect to make a deal before the deadline, for anyone that is, according to Paul Hoynes.

Byrd was in the dugout last night and he had some pretty good commentary, such as:

“Ya Cliff Lee only needs 2-3 runs.. Save the 7 runs for Paul Byrd.”

He knows he sucks, and he is willing to admit it.

Two of the headlines on Indians.com are “Wedge Hopes Garko falls into old ways” and “Wedge hopes Betancourt puts past struggles behind him“

Don’t we all?

“I’ve just got to stop worrying about my swing and just get back to competing and grinding out at-bats,” Garko said. “That’s the kind of player I was when I first got called up and I just need to get back to it.” (Indians.com)

Well do it Ryan. He has been hitting the ball a little better lately.. You know who else is pretty good? Asdrubal Cabrera who managed to get his average up over .200 at one point last season. He’s been working hard with Derek Shelton and it is paying off. How about that bunt he laid down last night? He’s gotta put that in his game as Rick Manning said.. I think its the red bat though.

“He needs to disconnect from the numbers,” Wedge said. “Sometimes it helps to say, ‘All right, we’re going to start over today and see where it goes.’” (Indians.com)

That was on Rafael Betancourt, but it goes for Ryan Garko as well. Betancourt pitched okay last night. He got through two innings.

Yayyy Peralta.. You feel good whenever he comes up to the plate for some reason.

Here’s more on that sad CC Sabathia ad from yesterday.. I still think he could have put a little more words and cut down on the pictures of his mug.

“The day I got traded, my wife and I started thinking about some of the people we needed to thank,” said Sabathia, whose trade from Cleveland to Milwaukee was made official when he passed a physical on July 7. “It seemed like something in the paper was the way to do it, and it started as a little half-page. Then it grew to a whole page.

“It was worth it. I had been there 10 years, and I felt like I should say thanks to some people.” (Indians.com)

Ben Francisco is completely aware of the slumps a Major Leaguer goes through. But, he didn’t care to take his slump any further as he busted out last night for two solo jacks.

“I keep working and remain confident that I’ll come around,” Francisco said before he slugged two solo home runs in the Indians’ 13-inning, 14-12 loss to Detroit at Progressive Field. “When you play 162 games, there are going to be some ups and downs. I’m not moping around. Every night, I come to the park thinking I’m going to hit.” (Plain Dealer)

Benny Fresh just had a double so he’s got himself back on track it looks like. They always said his swing is made to not go into many funks offensively, and if he does it will be quick. That would be correct sir.

You know for all they say about Grady Sizemore being the hottest centerfielder(and only) in Cleveland for the Ladies, he sure doesn’t care about being a sex-symbol.

“I don’t go looking for stuff like that,” he said Wednesday afternoon. “It’s more my agent having to pull teeth to get me to do it. I’ve said no to him 20 times and he said I owed him one. I enjoyed it, but it still was uncomfortable for me. It’s awkward. I don’t really like having my picture taken.” (Plain Dealer)

Speaking of Sizemore.. Ben Francisco just made a Grady-like catch in left field. Anyway.. Grady did some photoshop for Men’s Vogue yesterday.. I bet if he was more apt to do that type of stuff, he’d be more of a star than he is now. He just doesn’t like that big spotlight.. I don’t blame him. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, he isn’t letting this stuff get to him.

I’ll be back if theres any sort of deal struck for Byrd.. I’m not expecting anything given the talk, but maybe that is a good sign.

I surrender…..

Ya know.. thought I was in for a quick night.. Pop in, talk about Cliff Lee’s 15th win, Shoppach and Francisco having big games…

But no.. Okay, extras, I’m in for it.. Let’s have some fun.

How many chances did they blow in extras? Like.. every one they got in every inning?

I figured with Shoppach coming up to the plate and no one out with the bases loaded.. Well hey let’s have some fun and talk about Kelly Shoppach absolutely abusing the Tigers.

But not.. For some reason they decided that wasn’t enough pain and suffering.

Ya know there is just way too much junk that went on in that game for me to even recap.. The point is I don’t know what the hell happened tonight.

Just…..

UGH..

We play against someone else tomorrow.. The next game is officially later today.. In a meer 11 and a half hours.. Get your dancing shoes on.. Sal Fasano and the B-Team are taking over. If we have one..

[BOXSCORE]

I posted this before the last out was recorded.. That’s how confident I am.. Jamey Carroll ain’t going deep here son.

Could the Indians dupe the Dodgers again with Byrd?

Ultra-exciting news for People that can’t wait to get rid of Paul Byrd.

The Indians are likely to trade starting pitcher Paul Byrd, with the Dodgers among the reported suitors. (Ken Davidoff)

I’m not sure how much stock you can put into the Ken Davidoff report. Never heard of him so I don’t know how credible he is.

But, certainly the Dodgers are a good trading partner for us. Hopefully they overvalue Paul Byrd just as much as they did Casey Blake. I don’t think the Indians will mind picking up his remaining salary in exchange for a better return.

Either way.. It looks like we may get our wish. Now if only there was a way to get Dellucci off the team.

Morning Update: Sabathia takes out ad in Plain Dealer

What a kick in the gut.

Look..

I’m grateful for C.C. Sabathia and I expected nothing less from him.

Take a look at the $12,870 ad he placed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

“Thank You for 10 Great Years…
You’ve touched our lives
with your kindness, love and generosity.
We are forever grateful!
It’s been a privilege and an honor!”

-CC & Amber Sabathia & Family

It just hit me like a ton of bricks….. This is it.. The final moment wasn’t when he was traded and introduced as a Milwaukee Brewer… It was the moment I read this ad. I’m sort of in shock. CC is gone and there is nothing more to it. I’m actually kind of sad. Him putting it in right now says he won’t be back, which is another story in itself.

I just.. I don’t know what to say about this.

“It was something that was in the works almost from the moment he was traded,” said Kathy Jacobson, the pitcher’s spokeswoman in San Francisco. (Plain Dealer)

I want to move on.. I didn’t expect this when I woke up this morning.. it’s just wow…. I’m a little mad about the timing of this.. But I’m still shocked by it.. Not only what he did, but just the fact that this is the exact moment that I’ve realized he isn’t coming back and he’s totally gone.

Just… More Sad News.. Travis Hafner went home to North Dakota for a family emergency. It turns out his father Terry has passed away. Just.. The news is matching weather so far.. Really Really Cruddy.

Terry Hafner used the games against the Twins to come down and see his son play in Minnesota. Condolences to the Pronk Family in this time. I feel for him. Terry was battling cancer.

Kelly Shoppach makes no bones about the way he swings the bat.

“It doesn’t do me any good to try to beat out an infield single,” he said. “I might as well get the ball in the air and see what happens. My swing’s structured with some elevation to it, anyway.” (Plain Dealer)

Shoppach will be splitting time with Victor Martinez when Martinez returns. Vic can’t do the everyday thing and you know he’ll be playing an awful lot first base. The thing isn’t simply catching though.. He had stuff done on his elbow, so it effects his swinging more than anything. He’ll get days off from the start, he prob won’t play two days in a row for awhile.

Since getting shelled in an extra-inning game against the Padres last month, Edwin Mujica has been prepared for battle.

“After that game, I put it in my mind to be ready for anything, any situation,” he said. (Plain Dealer)

With that said, Eric Wedge is going to mix and match and play every game one night at a time when it comes to his bullpen. He doesn’t have any defined roles, which makes it tougher on the guys in the pen in prepartion. But, no one wants to seem to step up so..

“We’re going to keep mixing and matching with it,” said Wedge. “Depending on where I feel we are and where I feel the guys down there are. There may be three or four guys I use to close down there. The same thing with setting up.” (Plain Dealer)

Terry Pluto was scribbling in his notebook.. I liked this from him.. It’s something I would do.

Asdrubal Cabrera is working his tail off, which has gotten Wedge’s eye.

“I tell you, this kid’s working hard,” manager Eric Wedge said of Cabrera. “He’s out there early, he’s spent a lot of time with [hitting coach] Derek [Shelton]. He’s working hard to make that positive repetition.” (Indians.com)

That’s great to see Cabs working hard.. He is a young guy and maybe now that work-ethic thing is coming around.

Minor League Update: Anthony Reyes Debuts; Beau Mills Mashing

The Herd dented Durham last night with a 8-7 victory. Anthony Reyes made his Buffalo debut going 5 innings and giving up three runs. He gave up just five hits and struck out four, but he also walked four. He did pick up the win though. He’ll need to make a few good starts before he proves he is ready to get called up.

He was supported offensively by the likes of Trevor Crowe and his second Bisons’ home run. Crowe went 3-5 with a run batted in and three runs scored plus his first triple; he was a double shy of the cycle. Both Chris Gimenez and Todd Linden batting next to each other went 0-2 with three walks apiece. Morgan Ensberg had another four RBI night, going 2-4 with a two-run shot. Brad Snyder had a double and a triple.

Nate Panther and Matt Whitney had solo shots and Wyatt Toregas had a two run homer for Akron. However the Aeros were defeated as Kevin Dixon struggled and James Deters got pounded in relief. Tony Sipp gave up a run but Chuck Lofgren pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.

Kinston laid the smackdown on the Pelicans.. What a great nickname. I like Myrtle Beach, cool place. You know who else is cool? Beau Mills, who increased his league leading RBI total to 73 with four RBI and a home run. Is it time to call the kid up? I think so.. Akron could use him. Rotate him and Whitney and Hodges in the 1st, 3rd and DH spots.. Whitney and Beau can play both third and first.. Carlos Santana went 1-4 with a RBI Double. Jeff Harris was sent to Kinston and picked up the win in his first apperance.

Todd Martin in Lake County for rehab had a solo shot for the Captains. That was their lone run as they lost to Greensboro.

A pair of three-run home runs from favorite Jeremie Tice and Brock Simpson powered the Scrappers to a 14-2 victory. Isaias Velasquez went 3-6 and both Tice and Simpson went 2-5, with Simpson having an additional RBI. Lonnie Chisenhall and Zach Booker knocked in two runs each. Russell Young gave up just one earned in 5+ to earn the win.

Morning Update: Hafner’s test delayed due to Family Issue; Martinez Swings

Victor Martinez is ohhh so close to to returning considering where he was when he first went on the DL. Victor took dry swings with the bat and played catch in the outfield. He’s been catching bullpen sessions since last week and when the Indians head off to Minnesota for their nine game road-trip, Victor will be tagging along.

“I want him around a lot more,” manager Eric Wedge said. “He’s one of the leaders on this ballclub. It’s tough for the guys on the DL. They can’t be around all the time, because they’ll go crazy. But now that he can see the light at the end of the tunnel, it will be good to have him around.” (Indians.com)

Travis Hafner on the other hand is not only farther away, but it is unknown how much he has improved since last checked. Hafner had to fly back home to tend to some personal family matters on Friday, which has delayed his strength test. It is unknown when he will be back or what is wrong. Best of luck to Hafner and hope everything is okay.

The closest of all the mangled is probably Josh Barfield. Josh took 10-15 cuts in the cages in addition to the fielding and throwing drills he started days ago.

Andy Gonzalez is a go-getter and will play anywhere you want him to.

Including DH… I guess?

“Infield’s a little better, I guess,” Gonzalez said. “But anything that they want me do, I’ll do it.” (Indians.com)

I’m still heated over that.. Damn You Eric Wedge.

If you want to fawn over Sal Fasano’s mustache, go ahead.. It isn’t going to be pretty, but it defines Fasano as MANS MAN

“I feel naked without it,” he said. “It’s become such a habit to carve it in all the time. People have their different styles, and some are prettier than others,” the well-traveled Fasano said. “I don’t claim this to be pretty at all, but it is me.”(Plain Dealer)

Sal Fasano hasn’t done much in terms of offense in his career.. Hell he hasn’t really done much at all.. But he has captivated fans with his awesome power stache and his great back-up and veteran savvy.

He also pinch ran before. Something Ryan Garko will never do… EVER

Yankees manager Joe Torre presented him with the lineup card. “I said, ‘What’s this for?’ ” Fasano said. “He said, ‘This is the first time you’ve ever been a pinch-runner.’ We both laughed. I still have it at home.” (Plain Dealer)

In all seriousness.. Sal Fasano needs to stick around on this team, even when Victor gets back. You know why? Because you’ll only have to stick with him for another half of month until rosters expand.

AND because he could be the reason behind the semi-resurgance of Jeremy Sowers… If you haven’t noticed, he’s caught the last three games for Sowers.

“I see somebody with a lot of talent,” Fasano said. “Jeremy has an underrated fastball, and he can locate that fastball pretty well. What’s making him successful now is his ability to repeat pitches and to throw breaking balls behind in the count.

“He’s here for a reason. I’m just trying to take it to where, how can we teach him to be a major leaguer and stay here for the next 10 years?”(Plain Dealer)

God….. This guy rocks…

Another guy that rocks is Matt Ginter, who caught a break for once in his career. He also has a Fu-Man-Choo.. Somewhat..

“It’s just a little bit of relief,” said Ginter, who has bounced back-and-forth from the Majors to the Minors throughout his nine-year career. “My family came with me and now they can stay up here for the next couple days, so it was kind of nice.” (Indians.com)

Great for Ginter.. He’s pitched well.. It’s nice to see a guy like him catch a few breaks.. Enjoy the next few starts Matt.. You deserve them.

Minor League Update: Gimenez Switching Positions?

Buffalo probably suffered the most roster shake-up yesterday as the Indians rounded out their rosters from the trades and Olympic vacancies.

Two of those new faces saw action last night.

An interesting note for you keep track of the catcher situation with Santana now in the fold.

Chris Gimenez started at catcher, but finished the game at third base. Could a full-time position switch be in order? I think so. It would let Toregas get called up and they could progress Santana to Double A if they wish. Boy what a team that would be at Akron once LaPorta gets back from the Olympics.

Anyway, the Herd lost despite John Halama’s seven strong innings. Michael Aubrey went 2-4.

Jon Meloan pitched and threw a scoreless inning.. He was added to the roster in place of Jeff Stevens who was placed on the Inactive list and Walter Diaz, who got the nod at shortstop, took Andy Gonzalez’s spot. Diaz is coming up all the way from Mahoning Valley. With Cord Phelps playing second, Diaz wasn’t needed because it looks as if Velasquez will be the backup at most of the infield spots.

Not LaPorta.. No Problem.. Ryan Goleski was called back up to Double A Akron to take his spot. Akron got a quality performance from one of his replacements. Stephen Head who will probably see everday time now that LaPorta is in Beijing went 2-4 with a two run home run.

However the hero in Akron’s win was Wes Hodges, who hit a walk-off solo shot in the bottom of the ninth inning in a tie ball-game. Wes also went 3-5 with a double and three total RBI.

Not a good debut for Carlos Santana. He went 0-4 with three strikeouts in his Kinston debut.. It was the exact opposite of what we’ve heard about him.. I’m sure it’s just nerves.. Kinston got shutout and Kelvin De La Cruz got roughed up for three runs, three walks, three hits in just 2 outs of the first inning.

It was a walk-off kind of day as Lake County got a single from Cristo Arnal in the bottom of the 13th to bring home the winning run in Mark Thompson. That’s two in a row for the Captains. Ron Rivas went 2-6 with three RBI and Matt Brown is probably feared. He went 1-3 with three walks. He also took home the SAL player of the week award. Catcher Adam Davis hit his third home run of the year and Josh Judy picked up win number NINE in relief.

A couple of Mahoning Valley favorites powered the Scrappers to a 7-6 win last night. Jeremie Tice came through big with a 2-5 night, including a two-run shot in the seventh inning. Lonnie Chisenhall went 3-5 with a three run shot.

Adam Abraham’s third home run of the year was the lone run for the GCL team in their defeat.

Cabrera has Red Bat Power as Tribe shut-out Tigers

Well.. We are going to get into Asdrubal Cabrera’s fashion at some point.

I mean.. The guy has the beads of course. He wears different colored batting gloves. He is now using a red bat in certain at-bats. He’s the only Indian I’ve seen in awhile wear white shoes.

The red bat got him a home run tonight. So you’ll probably see more of that.

How about Paul Byrd?

I guess he likes pitching against the Tigers. Maybe…. Maybe… Maybe.. This was his last. Maybe that was enough for a team to say, let’s take a chance on the guy.

Either way, it was a good showing. 7.2 innings, four hits, three walks, four sit-downs and of course no runs.

Eddie Squirrels got it done for the rest of the game.

Offensively was just well done. Peralta gave an early lead for us with beating out the throw to avoid the double play. Then he doubled in Gutierrez in the 3rd inning. Jhonny is just on another level right now.

He’s got 56 RBI on the year and I’m not sure when he is going to slow down, or if this is a new Peralta we are seeing.

Kelly Shoppach had the solo jack and went 2-4. Grady 2-3 with a walk and a stolen base. Ryan Garko even went 2-4. Andy Marte hit the ball hard tonight despite the 0-4 collar. How about Andy Gonzalez? He really should have had two hits. I still don’t think he should be playing much though.

Overall, great offensive night. Great pitching.. Just a well fought out win.

Tomorrow. Armando Gallaraga and Matt Ginter bringing the Ginter Heat.

[BOXSCORE]

Casey Blake May Be Gone, But Eric Wedge Continues to Play Him

Think I’m joking?

Andy Gonzalez is as close to Casey Blake as you can get.

He is in the lineup tonight as the DH.

Um, why?

This is supposed to be a utility player.. He should probably play about 2 or 3 games from the time he was brought up to when Josh Barfield returns.

Are you serious?

This is the black Casey Blake, only less talented and younger and beardless. He plays a bunch of different positions and Eric Wedge is in love with him.

He was impressed in Spring Training and now that he is on the roster, he will use Gonzalez to suppress even more potential talent.

I really.. Really.. REALLY… REAAAAAH EH EH EH HEEELLLYYY.. Am starting to get ticked with these line-up cards.