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]

Jason Michaels Officially DFAed; Francisco Called Up

“This one transaction is not going to solve all our offensive woes,” Shapiro said. “Jason Michaels was certainly not the primary cause. We just feel it’s time for us, where we can, to start to make some small moves that might help. But the answers to our offensive issues lie within.” – Indians.com

Obviously, Michaels is not the issue and he was a very good hitter against lefties.

But, the Tribe feel like it is time to move on and bring in the young kid to spark them.

I’m really surprised Jason Michaels is being let go. I really liked him as a lefty hitter off the bench, who could bat lower in the order and just put together a scrappy at-bat.

But I love Francisco more, so I support this move.

I also think that they will be able to trade him rather than outright release him after 10 days. There was interest in him before the year and teams will come calling because they do want someone who can hit the lefties well.

The Tigers made a very similar move as well. They released Jacque Jones, who really was supposed to be their number nine hitter in that potent lineup. I think they like what Inge did in Grandeson’s absence, Thames , and their youngsters.

Anyway, we should be seeing Francisco in the lineup soon. They are gonna want to get him in their immediately.

Michaels could be released

Early reports are coming in that Ben Francisco was yanked from the second game of a Double Header in Buffalo.

That means he could be called up rather quickly, and to replace him the Indians would let Michaels go, probably DFA him, and that would give them 10 days to release or trade Jason.

Looks like they are not happy with his performance, and it is just one move that probably needs to be made.

Westbrook to the DL; Francisco Called Up!

Jake Westbrook was placed on the 15 DL today for a strained muscle.

To take his roster spot, the Indians called up Ben Francisco.

Until Jake’s spot in the rotation comes back up, Francisco should stick, but when needed they will probably call up Aaron Laffey or Jeremy Sowers to pitch, then send them right back down.

This sucks, Jake has been pretty solid so far. Hopefully whoever they call up steps up and can give us a good start or two. We should also get to see what Ben Francisco has in the mean time.

Cabrera Moved Down in Order; OF Staying Put

Despite his early troubles, David Dellucci’s recent success, more so combined with Asdrubal Cabreras even more recent struggles, has earned him a shot at the two hole.

“I think David’s been swinging the bat better, so we’re going to give him more of an opportunity there,” Wedge said. “He seems to like it there. I’d like to see him take control of that.” (Indians.com)

This is just the beginning of Cabs’ fall if he continues to struggle. If Josh Barfield hits at the AAA level and Cabrera doesn’t, I’d expect them to make the switch.

Cabrera is pressing, he isn’t taking his pitches, swinging at bad ones. He is going through some pains and the adjustment of having other pitches adjust to him.

In other Outfielder news, Ben Francisco has started to hit, he’s upped his average to .222.

But the outfielder struggles of Gutierrez and Michaels isn’t forcing Wedge or Shapiro to make a move.

“We’re not there yet,” said manager Eric Wedge. “We’re a couple of weeks in. I respect the length of the season. I also respect the urgency of each and every game. It’s a fine line you have to walk.” (Indians.com)

More time is needed. No need to make a knee-jerk reaction here. Especially since Francisco isn’t quite hot enough yet.

Also from the same article, Wedge said he could use Betancourt for two innings if it came down to it and Betancourt had proper rest.

“I’d be very hesitant to do it at the start of the eighth inning, but I wouldn’t be in the middle of the eighth,” said Wedge. ” A lot of it would have to do with his workload. I’ve never had that luxury. I’ve always had one-inning guys [closers].”

Verlander and Fausto tonight. Let’s hope we don’t get beat down again.

Ben Francisco Optioned

Ben Francisco was optioned to Triple A Buffalo today.

Francisco had an outstanding Spring and now has many clamoring for him to take over in left field for David Dellucci.

The option has ended speculation about Dellucci going on the DL after he returned to action on Tuesday, and then followed up on Wednesday and showed that he was in fact, healthy.

Dellucci went 3-5 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBI and a triple and a double to his credit against the Astros.

Jay will start the year in left field platooning with Jason Michaels. But out of all the Indians starters, he is probably the one with the shortest leash.

Francisco’s spring set everyone on notice that he shouldn’t be diddling around in the minors for too much longer. The kid can hit and he’s proved time and time again he is ready to do so for a Major League team.

Out of players that got at least 15 ABs this spring, Francisco was second in Batting Average with .362, only trailing Franklin Gutierrez who hit .395 but had 4 less ABs.

He also hit 3 homeruns and knocked in 9 runners.

Francisco should start the year in the outfield starting for Buffalo. Shin-Soo Choo who will be placed on the DL is out of options so unless something happens before he comes back, Francisco might not get a chance for awhile.

Lee Solidifies 5th Spot; Francisco Keeps Firing

Lee Locks up 5: Last Saturday Cliff Lee pretty much ended the competition for the last rotation spot.

Lee pitched 5 innings of 4 hit ball with 5 punch outs. This combined with the somewhat disastrous springs of Jeremy Sowers and Aaron Laffey have basically led everyone to believe that Cliff Lee is the man to start the year in the 5th spot.

I think Cliff is capable of bouncing back. We’ll find out soon enough if Cliff can rebound, he won’t have pressure on him like he’s had in past years. The main thing with Lee is keeping his focus and not getting unraveled when he makes a mistake.

In the past Cliff would be pitching well and then hit a wall. He’d give up a hit and all of a sudden a few more would follow, maybe a big homerun. Cliff has to stay true and stop beating himself when he makes little mistakes.

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Francisco Watch: Offensively on Saturday Casey Blake and Victor Martinez did the damage to help the Indians topple the Mets. But our favorite son has done it again.

Ben Francisco went 2-3 with a homerun to bump his average up to .378.

Keep watching! The watch on the right side of the site won’t be updated because of my hands being tied. But get a good look at Francisco while you can, because he’s destined for Triple A for the time being.

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Hafner Goes Deep: Sunday’s action saw the Tribe and Central Division rivals Detroit face off. Travis Hafner went deep and Jhonny Peralta contributed with a two run triple.

I’ve been on record of saying Travis is going to bounce back in a huge way. I think he can hit 35 homeruns this year, but I think the biggest thing we will see is a high average. Beating the shift and taking what pitchers give him is the entire key to that. I think Travis realizes that and will do what he has to do and just wait for those juicy inside pitches to come when they come.

Elarton/Mastny Battle Heats Up; A Vote for Francisco

Paul Byrd went 6 innings today against Tampa Bay. He probably has at least another start left before the regular season so obviously the work load is increasing. He gave up 4 runs off 8 hits and a walk.

However the focus is on two of the guys who pitched after Byrd in this game. Scott Elarton relieved Byrd in the 7th and went 8th giving up only two hits and a walk. The tie enabled Tom Mastny to get an inning in to do much of the same.

This Elarton/Mastny Battle might be closer than we think.

Offensive Notes:

Josh Barfield walked twice.

Andy Gonzalez hit his 4th home run of the Spring.

George Constanza played center field and collected two hits.

Did I say George? I meant Jose… Plus there is a ‘n’ slipped in there.

Andy Marte threw up another goose egg and struck out once again.

Francisco Watch: Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer said Ben Francisco deserves to be on the roster.

“Question: Does the 2007 Class AAA International League batting champion make the Tribe’s final roster?

Answer: Should he, or will he?

Q: OK, should he?

A: Of course. Francisco is 26, has 908 official at-bats in Buffalo where he is a .298 hitter. Last season, it was .318 with 22 stolen bases and a .496 slugging percentage. It makes absolutely no sense to send him back to Buffalo.” - Terry Pluto(Plain Dealer)

Well Of course.. It doesn’t make sense. But until David Dellucci does so awful they have no choice or they trade him, Francisco is going to have to go down to Buffalo for a bit.

There has been interest in the Indians’ outfielders. Teams have come calling about Jason Michaels and you guessed it Ben Francisco, but the Indians aren’t interesting in trading those guys.

I say if you can get even a bag of donuts for Dellucci, you do the deal. Hell pay his salary this year, you will have to anyway.

Latest on Laffey: Carl Willis had good things to say about Aaron Laffey’s performance yesterday.

“‘He said I looked like the Aaron Laffey he watched pitch last year,” said Laffey.” (Plain Dealer)

It’s a shame Cliff Lee has won the spot though. Oh Well

How Long Before Dellucci Gets the Boot?

How long is it going to take for Eric Wedge to make a move with David Dellucci in left field?

Dellucci rested again on Wednesday. He claims his forearms are sore. But he also says he will be ready to go in a week or so.

He is hitting a dismal. .129 this spring and really with guys like Ben Francisco chomping at the bit, how long will Wedge put up with Jay before he makes a move?

Last year he didn’t get the job done before injuring himself. He hasn’t lived up to this contract they gave him. This year it’s not looking any better.

Jason Michaels is strictly a left handed hitter. That experiment is over and done with so we know his role. All Dellucci has to do is focus on playing most of the week against righties and play decent defense.

If he doesn’t do that..

Let the Ben Francisco watch being.

Ben Francisco Watch: He continued his awesome spring last night with ANOTHER hit. He is a machine!

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On the subject of outfielders.

Brian Barton doesn’t look to be coming back to the Indians right away.

He still has to remain on the Cardinals roster the entire year in order for the Cards to keep him.

But right now it looks as if he has beaten out Juan Gonzalez(really how hard is that though), to secure a spot in the St. Louis outfield.

On the other side Matt Whitney with the Nationals will probably be on his way back soon. The Nat’s have a ton of infielders that are either Ryan Zimmerman or MLB worthy vets(Nick Johnson, Dmitri Young and Aaron Freaking Boone).

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Also on the subject of left fielders.

Our old friend Jody Gerut has just about won a spot in left field for the Padres!

Back to the Jody Gerut of old according to scouts of Pads GM Kevin Towers.

This is exciting. If you know me I’m a big fan of Jody. Even though he is a Padre expect us to cover him over here at TTTR.