Tribe Streak Ends as Guthrie Bites Back

Is Brendan Donnelly serious with this?

3-2 pitch, he pretty much pitches around Nicky Markakakakakakis the entire at-bat and then on the 3-2 pitch with a base open, he shakes off Shoppach so he can……

Throw a fastball right down the middle?

Markakis is one of the better hitters in the entire league and you do that?

Come on Tuna.

Lack O Offense for the most part though, so I ’spose it doesn’t matter. Anthony Reyes took the tough luck loss. I thought he pitched well, and his fastball looked a bit more livelier. Remember this is a good offense and he held them in check for the most part for six innings. He did throw 62 strikes out of his 96 pitches, that’s 64% which is pretty good.

Aside from the Gutierrez double and then the two doubles by Marte and Sizemore in the fifth, Guthrie shut his former team down. Great to see him pitching well, but would have liked to get to Rocky Cherry there in the 8th. I sorta felt like they were gonna get to the bullpen if they had a shot and Cherry for the most part wasn’t throwing a lot of real strikes.

Tomorrow, it will be Zach Jackson, not Aaron Laffey, who gets the call-up to face Daniel Cabrera, expect a wild one if I do say so myself.

[BOXSCORE]

What Could Have Been: Jeremy Guthrie

Jeremy Guthrie
Baltimore Orioles
Starting Pitcher
6′1″ 200
4/8/1979
B/T: L/R
Acquired: 2002 Draft, 1st Round, 22 Overall
How he got away: Claimed by Baltimore off Waivers in January, 2007

Just another Stanford player that the Indians let get away. Jeremy Guthrie is showing he belongs in the Major Leagues, it’s just not with the team he was drafted by. Guthrie had all the talent in the world but never the chance with the Indians. The team decided to continue trying guys like Jason Davis rather than give Jeremy Guthrie a reasonable shot. The Indians used Guthrie out of the pen for three years. Combined in 04 and 05 he pitched in less than 20 innings of relief.

He got just one shot in 2006 to start for the Indians. He gave up four runs in just 4.2 innings of work, but that would be his last shot with the Tribe.

Jeremy, like so many other Indians farm hands as of late, has flourished in his new home of Baltimore. Last year he was 9th in all of the American League in ERA and this year he pretty much anchors a young and in-experienced staff with a 3.26 ERA.

So why is Jeremy Guthrie no longer on this team?

I wish I had an answer. Actually, I wish I didn’t have to ask the rhetorical question. Guthrie has talent and he is showing he can get the job done, but Cleveland ran out of time with their first round pick of 2002 and simply had to cut the cord. They are now paying for it, as Jeremy Guthrie could easily be apart of this rotation. He’d give you three top pitchers that have done gotten it done in the big leagues.

Then again, he is just another one of those “Change of Scenery” players. We’ve learned a bit about Anthony Reyes and his problem with St. Louis. People suggest a change for him will be what he needs. Guthrie is a living example that sometimes a change in teams is what someone needs. His confidence probably was a boost when Baltimore said, Yeah sure, we’ll bring you aboard, show us what you got.

Time and time his confidence here had to waver, being thrown in the pen, starting at Buffalo, starting just one game for the Indians. Just a bunch of stuff a young player can’t handle. Where would he fit in right now? Right in that three hole behind Fausto and Cliff. Point blank.. Could we use him? Hell yes, you can always use pitching. But, it wasn’t to be and for that we wish Jeremy Guthrie luck in Baltimore. Just not today of course…

Super Update: Byrd happy to be on a Contender

Here is a super-update of sorts.

Akron lost to Connecticut. Stephen Head picked up two more hits and Steven Wright gave up 3 in 4.1 innings.

Kinston posted a shutout and a 7 run victory. Kelvin De La Cruz, was solid, five innings just three hits. Jerad Head had a 3-run jack in support.

Another Lake County suspension…

Five Mahoning Valley Scrappers are going tot he NY-Penn League All-Star Game. While my voting for Isaias Velasquez paid off, Jeremie Tice didn’t make the team.

Velasquez, Lonnie Chisenhall, Robbie Alcombrack, Brock Simpson, and Eric Berger all made the American squad and will representing Mahoning Valley on August 19th.

Mahoning Valley did lost, but Tim Fedroff with 2-3 with a run knocked in.

Speaking of Fedroff, he signed for a $725,000 bonus, which is more than both the 3rd and 4th round picks combined. That goes to show you how much they like this kid and how he could be a much higher pick in years to come. Don’t ever say the Indians don’t spend money, this is a rarity.

They got a few days to get something done with Haley and Putnam, and they better or else they won’t have a shot at him for a few years. Haley is a high-schooler and you wanna get those guys when you can, especially high up.

Tracking Matt LaPorta

The US opened up play this morning against Korea in the Summer Olympics.. Matt LaPorta went 0-4 with a strikeout. Not cool… I’m pretty shocked, the United States lost. Jeff Stevens gave up 2 runs in the 7th inning.

While we are on the subject, don’t expect to see Matt LaPorta in the majors this year. I agree with this decision though. Keep him around Akron if they make the playoffs and just let him ride out the year. He’s had a hectic few months and I don’t think bringing him up to the big leagues is the answer. He has plenty of time to be added to the 40 man, let’s wait till next year.

Here is some good news for everyone to read though, straight from the horses mouth.

“It’s clear we’ve got to address our bullpen,” said Shapiro, whose club has the fewest saves (19) in the American League. “It’s safe to say it’s one of our highest priorities.” (Plain Dealer)

Mark Shapiro will be making it his highest priority. I just wonder who he is going to put on his list. I’m partial to guys like Will Ohman as middle relief help and someone like Brian Fuentes to close, but there really isn’t much to get excited about on the market.

Shapiro was pretty clear on why he traded Paul Byrd. It wasn’t about the return package. It was about the opportunity for others. Not to mention giving Byrd a goot shot to win something.

“This trade is about creating an opportunity for some of our players,” said Shapiro, “and giving Paul a chance to get to the postseason. It also gives us $2 million that ownership says we can allocate to next year’s team.” (Plain Dealer)

The reason there is no return on this trade is because Boston is paying the rest of his salary, so there is no reason to give up anything worthwhile. In the end I think the Indians will just say, okay thank you for that, let’s be on our way. You didn’t need to get a prospect for Paul Byrd, getting rid of him is more than enough because it gives us a chance to see Zach Jackson or get Aaron Laffey back up here.

Byrd was shocked, cancel those book signings he had scheduled.

“I was kind of ambushed,” Byrd said. “It kind of was a surprise to me and an emotional moment.” (Indians.com)

Kelly Shoppach is probably the one guy that will take the trade hard considering he was Paul’s catcher last year and they became friends. Poor Shoppach is losing all his friends with Casey being traded.

“It’s sad to see a friend go, but it’s an opportunity for him to make the playoffs,” said Shoppach, “We worked together a lot. But it’s part of the game and it will be a part of it as long as the game is played. (Plain Dealer)

The good news is Paul Byrd doesn’t really have to prepare for his first game on Friday. He’s gonna slide right in and start the opener against Toronto, the team he just threw a complete game again.

Paul is a gamer and he truly loves the organization and city that drafted him. So you can imagine putting on that Boston jersey will be tough for him. He’s played under Tito Francona before though, so I’m sure Byrd will adjust and fit in just fine.

Well there was a game last night if you didn’t know.

Asdrubal Cabrera was a big part of it.

“He’s had some good at-bats from both sides of the plate,” said Wedge, who used Jhonny Peralta at designated hitter. “He worked hard at Buffalo [after being sent down] and up here.” (Plain Dealer)

He certainly has. He has the average up and he’s looking good at the plate. He’s doing stuff he didn’t even do last year by showing bunt and threatening to add that as a part of his game.

One guy who didn’t have it for the first inning was Jeremy Sowers. But the team picked him up and while he didn’t get a win, he showed a little fight. I’m not sold on Jeremy, and don’t think I will be. He probably isn’t an answer but the Indians need to find out and find out now.

One last quote from the Byrdman, Thanks for everything Paul!

“Cleveland has been great to me. The fans have always cheered for me. When I walked off the field in my last start at home [Aug. 2], the fans gave me a standing ovation. It was very special for me.”