MU: Shapiro Questioned by Ticket Holders; 15 for Lee is Special

Q: “How about the potential players to be named later in the CC Sabathia trade. Who are they?”

A: “Did Paul Hoynes send you? He asks me that every day,” Shapiro quipped, referring to the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s longtime Indians beat writer. (Indians.com)

That was one of the questions Mark Shapiro was faced with when he had to answer the questions of more than 100 season ticket holders yesterday.

Either way. I’m getting sick of seeing Wendi Nix’s mug on TV.. So let’s talk about David Dellucci.

“Growing up, I never thought I’d hit one home run, much less 100,” he said. “It’s a sign that you’ve played a lot of years in the big leagues, I guess.” (Indians.com)

Great job David.. That sounds like an old player just talking cause hes old. That is the exact reason you reached 100 home runs.

Cliff Lee really had to work for his 15th win. It didn’t come easy for the lefty as he really tipped his cap to the Rays’ hitters.

“They’re not in first place by accident,” Lee said. “They put me to the test. They do a lot of things right offensively.” (Plain Dealer)

Did you hear? Kelly Shoppach has made it to the Hall of Fame already!

“Hey Datzy,” he said to bench coach Jeff Datz, walking nearby. “Did you hear? I’m in the Hall of Fame!” (Indians.com)

Cooperstown called Shoppach and asked for his bat from the historic 5-extra base hit night he had. He obliged and now he will stand in Cooperstown forever. That’s one hell of an accomplishment, he should be proud.

You guys notice Jhonny Peralta sort of shielded his eyes last night on a pop up? Turns out the lights are really bright in Tropicana Field. This is the second of three domes the Indians will play in on this road trip. They are the only three domes left and we play in all of them. The hope is that the roof will be open in Toronto.

Eric Wedge and Carl Willis talked about Anthony Reyes and the timetable on getting him up to the big leagues.

“He’s in our plans,” said Wedge, when asked if Reyes would be called up soon. “I think we’ll have him up here sooner rather than later. How that’s for vague? It’s vague, but a precise vague.” (Plain Dealer)

“His fastball was consistently at 92-94 [mph],” pitching coach Carl Willis said. “The thing he’s done in both outings is maintain his fastball velocity throughout. From what I’m hearing in Buffalo, he’s a very competitive kid who competes well.” (Indians.com)

Anthony Castrovince believes Reyes is higher on the pecking order than Aaron Laffey is, and Laffey got hit bad last night with a lot of hits and walks.

Victor Martinez ran the bases with no problems yesterday. He is on track to rehab soon. Vic was also the subject of the newest Indians Mailbag.

MLU: Scott Lewis Has Career Night in Akron

Buffalo Buffalo get a little Buffalo… The HERD win again behind three solid innings from the bullpen. Aaron Laffey made his first start since getting sent down and he struggled. Laffey went 6 innings giving up four runs off seven hits and three walks. Brendan Donnelly, Preston Larrison and Bubbie Buzachero cleaned it up for three scoreless innings as the Bisons’ offense battled back. Jordan Brown had a pinch hit, bases clearing double that supported the offense.

Scott Lewis‘ career night only lasted 5 and 2/3rds innings. Yet he earned the win, completely shut down Altoona and 10 of the 17 outs he recorded were via the strikeout. Lewis walked two and gave up a hit but he completely baffled the Curve hittes. The bullpen gave up just two more hits to three-hit the Curve completely. There was plenty of offensive support from the Aeoros. Matt Whitney went 3-5 with a run batted in and Ryan Goleski knocked in two runs himself. Wyatt Toregas knocked in a run and is now hitting .336 since he arrived at Akron.

Attack of the Pellicans! Oh Man, Myrtle Beach compltely manhandled the K-Tribe last night. Every pitcher gave up at least two runs.. I mean every pitcher.. The only one who didnt was Jerad Head. Yes Kinston was forced to use yet another position player as a pitcher. This time though, Jerad Head surrendered just one hit and a walk in his inning allowing 7 less than Cristo Arnal did. Oh Tom Glavine pitched for Myrtle Beach on a rehab assignment.

Lake County lost, despite their 2-4 hitters reaching base seven times in the game. Ryan Morris un-hittable… Morris went five innings without a hit, two walks and 7 strikeouts. Morris has now 11 straight innings of no-hit baseball.

Another big win over that team with the deer Mascot. Get the chain, because Cord Phelps is OFF IT! 4-5 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. He’s now hitting .333 since his Scrappers debut. Robbie Alcombrack went 2-5 with two runs knocked in. PJ Zocchi pitched five solid to pick up his third win of the year.

GCL wins and Abner Abreu is at it again. Number 8 Home Run on the year for Abreu as he knocked in two. Adam Abraham had two and a his 4th home run of the year.

Tracking Matt LaPorta

LaPizzle Does it again!

Matt LaPorta hit another solo shot in Team USA’s rout of Team Canada last night. He went 2-5 with another RBI and finished the four game exhibition series with three home runs, five runs batted in and .313 average. Team USA leaves today and will be in Beijing tomorrow. The news will die down for awhile until competition starts on the 13th.

Nick Weglarz was back in action, going 1-2 with a walk. TJ Burton and Jeff Stevens did not pitch.