Sunday Pre-Game Chatter: Sowers/Fasano Combo A Good One

Yay!! Yay!! Yay!! Yay!! YAY!!!!!!!!

Guess Who’s Back!? Pronk Is Back! Guess Who’s Back, Guess Who’s Back, Pronk Is Back!

What an odd picture.. It looks like he’s posing for it.

Travis Hafner is moving along and after Victor Martinez plays today in Akron, he’ll be with Hafner onto Buffalo on Tuesday! Pronk is back!!!!!

Josh Barfield went 0-2 last night in Akron.

You will probably see Sal Fasano in there today catching Jeremy Sowers and it’s working out pretty good for Eric Wedge to start Fasano when Sowers pitches. They work well together and Fasano is really having an impact on Jeremy. Here is a not so-surprising quote from Sowers.

“I’m actually one of those guys that is not so much the guy that talks about baseball,” Sowers said. “I’m always trying to find something else to talk about in the dugout.” (Indians.com)

I could have told you that. He looks like he just isn’t all that interested in the game and that he’d rather be somewhere else. He also gets ticked when people pie him in the face.. He really looked steamed last year when that happened to him. Lightin up Jeremy!

Looks like the MLB is cracking down on the international signings thanks to recent discoveries of Miguel Tejada lying about his age. The Indians fell victim to one of the suspended players as Edward Pinales was suspended for a year by MLB. The Indians informed his family that things have changed and if they had anything to say to say it now. The family stayed quiet and it appears they lied about his age.

Eric Wedge was there when Roger Clemens was pitching for Boston. He gets the same sort of vibe from Cliff Lee’s starts that he did for Clemens’.

“There was always a different vibe,” said Wedge. “The opposition felt it. Our team felt it. The fans felt it. That’s the way it worked.” (Plain Dealer)

You can feel it.. You really can. There’s days you feel good about a game and days you feel bad. I feel the same way.

Andy Marte is playing a good third-base despite the error yesterday. I’ve heard a lot of things about Marte’s glove and how the Indians wanted him to improve. So far I see an above average glove there and he really makes some good plays. They still want his bat to improve of course. I just want him to get over .200

“We still have to get more offensively from him,” said Wedge. “He’s really played well at third base. He’s still not doing what we need him to do with the bat. We’ll continue to look at him and see if we can figure it out.” (Plain Dealer)

Because of the game being on FOX, we didn’t get to see the HOF Ceremony on STO like last year. But, from what I can tell it was really well done as usual.

Mike Hargrove and his wife invited the widow of the late Steve Olin, who died during Spring Training on a boating accident, along with Tim Crews when Grover was managing the team.

Anthony Castrovince gave a full recap of Hargrove’s induction.

The signing of two high school pitchers Trey Haley and TJ House have prompted Paul Hoynes to remember CC Sabathia and how the Indians did it the right way.

Great win for Buffalo last night, as they shutout Pawtucket. John Halama, Tom Mastny, Richie Rundles and Bubbie Buzachero combined on a 3 hitter.

Lucas Montero went 3-5 and Jared Goedert went deep in Kinston’s loss.

Captains doubled up on Rome last night.

MU: Wedge’s Confidence in Perez Growing

“It wasn’t like [former Yankees reliever] Sparky Lyle coming out in the fourth inning and running through the ninth,” Wedge said. “But we’ll take it. I’m very confident in him, I think he’s one of the best left-handed relievers in the game. When you look at last year, he was [pitching in the] sixth, seventh and eighth. This year, it’s the seventh, eighth and ninth. It’s a great experience for him.” (Indians.com)

I think it’s close to safe to say that Rafael Perez will be the favorite for more of the saves from now on. I think he’ll continue to work the two-headed monster, but Perez is just in the zone and you’d be crazy to not let him try. He could very well be the man if the Indians can go out and get another left-hander (Perhaps in-house with Tony Sipp or maybe Will Ohman?) for the bullpen.

One guy he isn’t so confident in is Rafael Betancourt, who continues to be a bull-headed son of a bitch of a reliever. I mean come on dude.. The coaching staff tells you to stop using your fastball exclusively. There is nothing as far as a quotable on Rafael Betancourt that I can find, but I think Wedge is visibly po’ed.

“Annoying is a good description of that game,” said manager Eric Wedge. “We played almost four hours. Left 13 on. Had the lead early. Had multiple opportunities to take the lead back or at least tie the ball game. We squandered those.” (Plain Dealer)

Carl Willis wants the media to stay quiet on the 20-game win talk about Cliff Lee.

“What he’s done is focused well from one start to the next,” said Willis. “He hasn’t gotten too far ahead of himself.” (Plain Dealer)

I’m with him.. I don’t talk about it. For Lee to win 20 games is up to the offense in my opinion. It really doesn’t matter.. If Cliff Lee continues this year he should win the Cy Young Award. Period.

One scout said he wonders why the Indians have waited so long to give Andy Marte a chance.. Well for one, last year he had the job until he got hurt. This year, well.. It makes sense.. They waited too long this year, but whatever. Besides the point.. Scout also said Kelly Shoppach was the best player in that deal.

Quote of the day:

”For me personally, it’s been an extremely difficult year offensively. I’m capable of much more. But it’s not over, and I’m hoping to put up some better numbers.” (AKBJ)

Die…. I’ll let you guess who said that.

Morning Update: Hafner Back in Town, Swings Bat

Speak softly and carry a large stick. That’s always been Travis Hafner. Now, he’s back in Cleveland after the death of his father, Terry, and Eric Wedge said he swung the big stick a few times.

“He feels well enough to where he has swung the bat a couple of times,” said Wedge. “That’s the first step.” (Plain Dealer)

Eric was optimistic about him playing this season. We’ll see where it goes, we should know A LOT more when the team returns from a 9 game road trip and Lonnie Soloff can take a look.

Victor Martinez hit soft toss the other day and is with the team on the road trip. He should be as close as you can to going on rehab when the team gets back in my estimation.

Juan Rincon is feeling strange. The Metrodome was his home for a long time and now he is in the visitors bullpen rather than the home bullpen. Pretty soon, he will be in neither bullpen. Ouch, sorry.

You know who is a big hypocrite?

“A lot of the young players we’re looking at are inexperienced, but I want us to keep playing as hard as we are playing. … I want to see the execution,” Wedge said. “What I saw the last couple of days was unacceptable.” (Indians.com)

Yeah.. ERIC WEDGE.. That’s who… Yes he said that, but last night he still pinch hit for Andy Marte in a clutch situation.

I really don’t get on Eric Wedge much, but he’s saying one thing and doing another. It just isn’t making sense and I have a feeling he’s doing everything in his power to get Andy Marte to fail.

He’s also setting up Shin-Soo Choo to be ridiculous.

”It’s just because he was batting fifth, so he moved up one,” Wedge said. ”He played three days in a row, and we’re still taking care of his arm.” (Akron-Beacon Journal)

Ugh.. I hate this.

Paul Byrd won’t stand in the way of a trade even though he has a limited no-trade clause.

“The Rockies are on the list, but I would have waived the no-trade,” said Byrd. “I would have waived it for any of them. I just had that for protection early on [for when Byrd first signed with the Indians].” (Plain Dealer)

This Perfect Game Stuff ain’t Workin Out for Sowers

You know all the perfect game biznass is just not working for Sowers. That’s two starts against the Twins now he’s done this into the 6th and end up A) not getting the run support and B) giving up just enough to put the other team ahead.

That’s right, Jeremy Sowers took a perfect game into the 6th inning. Only to be broke up by a double and then a run scored. Joe Mauer went deep the next inning and Brendan Harris got an RBI double to make it a 4-1 game. This after the offense put together a run to tie it up.

Jeremy’s final line was 6.2 innings, 6 hits, 4 runs, no walks, four strikeouts.

BLARGH.

I’m starting to think Eric Wedge is purposely trying to kill Andy Marte. He took him out in the 7th inning with runners on first and third with no body out.

Why?!

Give the freaking kid a shot. This is getting ridiuclous.

Kelly Shoppach went 2-4 with a double. He continues to rip it up. Ryan Garko went 2-4 as well. Jhonny Peralta did pinch hit for Marte in that situation to knock in the run.

Cleveland outhit the Twins despite the Twins outscoring them by three runs.. That’s real good.

Tomorrow it is a battle of guts, glory and a trade to another team. Paul Byrd will continue his quest to put up good outings in order to impress a desprate team to acquire him. Kevin Slowey will just pitch because he’s too good to get traded.

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Mark Shapiro’s Take on Yesterday’s Moves

That locker that is given to veteran players has been considered off-limits.

“We’re going to let it cool off for a while,” said Amato. “You’re talking about two big moves in the same month.” (Plain Dealer)

CC and now Blake.. I told you they’d be clearing it out again. Why not just play it safe and give it to someone like Grady?

Oh and Casey Blake stopped by the park before he left to get his gloves.

Mark Shapiro was DOWNRIGHT GIDDY over this trade… Look at this quote.

“The deal came together quickly,” said GM Mark Shapiro. “We had a very good feel for their system and a good idea of who we liked. We’ve been scouting these guys [Santana and Meloan] for a long time because of the talks with CC.” (Plain Dealer)

They were scouting these guys for a CC deal, and we got them for Casey Blake?

Are you serious?

It should be known Mark Shapiro had no intentions of dealing Casey when he got to work on Saturday, it was the Dodgers that initiated and heightened these talks.

It should be noted that the Indians are picking up the remaining two million in Blake’s salary.

Who cares? Look at what they gave us.

Steve Henson says the Dodgers really showed how desperate they were with this deal.

“So in addition to their other problems – the injuries to shortstop Rafael Furcal, closer Takashi Saito and outfielder Juan Pierre, the deterioration of outfielder Andruw Jones, the absence of starters Brad Penny and Jason Schmidt – the Dodgers had to address the pop-gun production at third base to hold out any hopes of edging out the Diamondbacks.

It’s a shame they had to trade two of their best minor-leaguers for an emergency solution at a position the front office had projected would be filled capably by the homegrown LaRoche and DeWitt.” (Yahoo! Sports)

It looks like Meloan will be a reliever.

“I think most organizations saw him as a reliever. We’ll move him to the pen so he doesn’t get too many innings, take a look at him as a reliever and then take the off-season to decide what role he’ll come to spring training in.” (Plain Dealer)

As for the Anthony Reyes deal.

“We think Reyes has significant upside,” said Indians GM Mark Shapiro. “He’s had mixed results [10-24, 5.38 ERA] in the big leagues.” (Plain Dealer)

Andy Marte is a guy short of words.. But he himself is happy about getting the third base job for the rest of the year.. Why wouldn’t he?

“He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever been around,” Marte said. “But it’s good for me because I’m still young and I get to play and get better. It’s good for me and my career.” (Indians.com)

Wedge is hilarious though.. I love to see him say this stuff he’s been saying about Marte now that he’s hitting. If there’s one reason for Marte to play well it’s to shove it in Eric Wedge’s face.

There Something About Marte, Tribe Win Again

To the party Marty!

Again you say?! Again?!

I tell ya what, something’s clicking right now, and I like it!

Even though David Freaking Dellucci is hitting fifth, this team is winning. I don’t know why…

Dellucci yes, is still getting playing time. It could be for a showcase, but I don’t think any team is really that interested. But, how about that at-bat for him today?

Peralta was at second and Dellucci got hit on the foot. Realizing that there is no outs and that Peralta advanced to third because the ball bounced up and away from Mathis, Dellucci acted like it never even hit him.

Great great great great presence of mind there. He would then get the sac-fly to bring him home.

Peralta also went deep again, that gives him 17 on the year. Realizing that Jhonny Peralta was catching up to him in the RBI race, hit a monster shot in the fifth to knock in two. God this guy’s value is as high as it ever will be. Someone needs to jump on him soon here.

Then of course..

Marteeeeeeee. He hit an absolute bomb into left field. 2-4 on the night. He’s really starting to get some confidence at the dish and find himself.

Paul Byrd did fine.. Lived dangerously like he does most of the time. 5.1 innings with nine hits and just a run and five punch-outs.

Perez pitched 2.2 innings of relief, he made quick work so Wedge stretched him. He did give up the solo shot to Kendrick. Not sure why Wedge didn’t bring in Eddie Cheeks.

Then a great job for Masasan! Strikeout the side my frieeends.

Tomorrow we got that GINTER HEAT coming at us against Jeff Weaver.

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LET’S GO MUSTACHE!

Sal Fasano never had a bigger fan base than today’s crowd.

Or maybe it was just our section.

There was a ton of Sal Fasano lovin’ going on, but unfortunately he went 0-3 with a walk. It’s all good Salvatore we still love ya.

In other news Marty Joined the Party. Andy’s 6th inning home run was the first of the year and ends his first half on a high note. I think it is evidently clear he deserves to start at third for the time being.

Jhonny Jhonny What Are You Ghonna Do About It?

16 on the year, 48 RBI at the break. He’s doing some real damage as the clean-up hitter and he certainly has changed my opinion on him.

Pitching wise, I tell ya what Jeremy Sowers was really getting hosed out there on some of those calls. The strike-zone was all over the place and it ticked off Eric Wedge to the point he got thrown out early! Then the safe call on Gomes after Sowers had him dead. I don’t know what as going on there but Sowers pitched fine. He walked 7 hitters but he struck out 8 and the amount of pitches he threw only let him go 4. Nasty Mastny did a great two inning job, Mujica continues to pitch well and Perez got a couple of 8 inning outs.

Easy 9th for Masa and we are on a four game rip. Oh how things can change in a matter of days and there is some optimism around this team. It seems as if the expectations are gone and so is the pressure. Some guys are coming to the forfront and that starting pitching even without Fasuto and C.C. are getting it together.

It might be the All-Star Break but that doesn’t mean the blog is on a Break. Full update on LaPorta, Hodges and Rondon in the Futures Game tomorrow.

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Morning Update: Mujica Getting Meaningful Chances

In case you are wondering why Andy Marte was on the bench, after Eric Wedge said he was the everyday Third Baseman.. Fear not, for it was simply a day off for Marttttyyy.

Marte will be back in the lineup today and since Garko had such a great night, I’m going to take a wild stab and say he’ll be DHing. Playing Dellucci these days is pretty pointless if you ask me.

I’m sticking a fork in the Tribe career of Brian Slocum, who was sent down to make room for Matt Ginter.

“We’re still not seeing up here what we are seeing down there,” manager Eric Wedge said. “It’s not uncommon for a young pitcher, but he has to get to the point where he’s comfortable in a big league uniform, locker room and particularly on the field to where he can relax and pitch.” (Indians.com)

In other words.. He’s 27 and if he hasn’t shown it by now, then well I don’t think he will be showing it anytime soon. Slocum will be back, no doubt, but I don’t expect him to ever contribute. The Indians should have no problem next year with his lack of option years.

One young bullpen arm that I’m doing just the opposite for is Eddie(Edward, Ed, Edwin) Mujica. I’ve always like Squirrel boy and now he is showing he can get it done late in the game.

“What Mujica did has to be noted,” said Wedge. “For him to take advantage of that opportunity is something we’ve been waiting for some of these kids to do.” (Plain Dealer)

I like Mujica’s chances for a spot next year if he keeps pitching well. You knew there would be spots open, it’s just a matter of someone stepping up to get them.

Josh Barfield will play catch after the All-Star Break.

Fausto Carmona will be heading back to where the magic happened a few years ago.. He’ll make his first rehab start monday for the Lake County Captains. As for his bullpen session.

“I throw all my pitches, including a knuckleball” (Plain Dealer)

Very Funny Fausto.

Casey Blake got a new locker.

With C.C. Sabathia gone, the veterans locker became open and Blake has been moved to it.. I highly doubt he’ll be there for much longer though, so they should have just given it to Cliff Lee. Casey still hang out with Shoppach all the time anyway.

Also, Matt LaPorta got a day off last night, so no watch on him.

Sal Fasano Knows How To Bunt

Original Video – More videos at TinyPic

I rest my case people.. Look at that get down the line! I swear I’m not sure Vlad Guerrero couldn’t throw him out at first on a hard one hopper to right field.

I will defend Andy Marte on that one.. I’d be pretty shocked too if Sal Fasano dropped down a bunt.

I’m really not phased by this latest lost..

I fully expected to come on here to talk about a win.. But that wasn’t the case at all. Rafael Betancourt continues to unravel before our very eyes. I think its time to get what we can for him, because last year was obviously a fluke.

Grady and Peralta have been the two guys we can count on.. 3-5 for Grady with two runs knocked in.. Peralta would have been 2-5 with two knocked in as well but the GRD stole a RBI. Which in turn sort of cost us the game.

I will also say not getting a run with the bases juiced and on one out was pitiful… You would hope that these types of things got covered up with a nice win, but no, Betancourt exposed it all.

Anyway.. Including that bunt, Sal Fasano was 3-4(if Marte advanced it would be a sac and he would be 3-3). He’s been awesome with that bat there in his games.

Andy Marte the 2-5 night.. He needs some more time come on Wedge.. Casey needs to go soon, keep this kid in the lineup.

Byrd looked like he was going to give up another lead in the first, but he managed to get out of all the damage he had. Too bad he couldn’t snap that winless streak that has now gone a month and three days long. The last win he had was against the Tigers in June.

Tomorrow we get the upstart Rays and it will be a sad sight if their pitchers are on.. Tomorrow it is Andy Sonnanstine the local product against Aaron Laffey.

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Matt Underwood puts it in his ballsack as Indians lose

You are probably wondering why I’m talking about Matt Underwood and the word… “ball-sack”

It’s pretty simple actually.

If you watched the game tonight and were listening carefully to the explanation Underwood was giving about the incident happening with umpire Jim Joyce and Rafael Betancourt.

You would have heard this.

Matt Underwood: Joyce reluctantly took it from Shoppach and put it in his ball-sack.

Fittingly, Underwood just did a “Sponsored by Fruit of the Loom” spot as they returned from commercial.

Anyway…. I’m done making fun of Matty and his use very loose term of ballsack. We all make mistakes. In hindsight, I’m sure he wished he said something like “ball pocket” or “ball holster”.

Then again, “Ball Holster” isn’t much better is it?

ANYWAY.. Marty, Marty, WELCOME to the PARTY!

Andy Marte got it going last night, knocking in his first run of the year. About damn time if you ask me.. He then tried to hit his first home run of the year in the ninth of Joe Nathan. But the ball was literally inches away from clearing the wall. Still, 2-4 with a double and a RBI is not bad at all.

Aaron Laffey held the Twins to one hit and two runs until the 4th inning hit. Mauer would add a solo shot in the 5th and that would make it a 5 inning, 4 run night for Laffey. Not spectacular but not bad.

Bullpen would get the chance to hold it though. Mastny was the first guy to get a shot and he promptly shot himself in the foot.

The sixth inning would prove to be too much.

Grady Sizemore increased his league lead in Home Runs with another jack to give him 22 on the year and Carroll added a RBI double in the 7th.

Our ALL STAR STARTING Pitcher Cliff Lee tries to stop a sixth losing streak for the Indians against Glenn Perkins

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