Wakeup Wahoo: Hafner Takes BP; Lewis Welcomes Closer Role

Uh oh..

You hear that noise?

It’s a sof…whoa the ground just shook.

I think he’s lurking.

“I’m good,” Hafner said. “I’m ready to be activated.” (Indians.com)

I’m getting goosebumps. I saw some video of him swinging and it looked good.. If he feels good, then I’m good.

He even sent one into Pronkville.

After another strength test on Friday and another hitting session on Saturday, Pronkster could be ready for a rehab assignment next week. Travis also spoke for the first time about the passing of his father, Terry.

“Dealing with my dad was probably the toughest thing I’ve had to go through,” said Hafner. “It makes baseball seem pretty small in the grand scheme of things.

“It was really tough to go through. I still miss him. You do the best you can. I don’t know if moving on is the right term, but you just try to get things back to normal.” (Plain Dealer)

I guess Brendan Donnelly and Carl Willis had an awkard conversation after Donnelly gave up that single to Nick Markakis the other night.

“I trust Brendan. He’s a veteran guy. I didn’t expect it to play out that way. He’s still working his way back. He had two strikes on the hitter. You take a chance on getting him out and you don’t have to throw him a strike. If he doesn’t have two strikes, then you walk him.” (Plain Dealer)

I don’t, should have walked him.

All looks good on the stadium front for Goodyear, Arizona.

Zach Jackson has earned himself another start, but Eric Wedge was more focused on talking about the struggles of Edwin Pukejica and Perez not having it.

“I thought he did a pretty good job,” said Wedge, who added Jackson earned another start. (Plain Dealer)

Yeah thanks for that.

Jhonny Peralta got hit in the hand by the wild Daniel Cabrera. Grizzle also got hit on the knee-cap but he stayed in the game. Peralta had another at-bat after he got hit but gave way later to Jamey Carroll. Right now he is day to day and had X-Rays as a precaution.

Here is why I believe Jensen Lewis is a closer.

“Do I want to be the closer? Absolutely,” Lewis said. “As a reliever, that’s the job to have, to get that 27th out with the game on the line.”

“I was more excited than anything out there,” he said. “It was a rush of emotions all at once. The feeling was a little different.”

“It does a lot for the confidence when Eric puts you in and says, ‘We think you can do this,’” Lewis said. “I like the challenge.”

Case rested, I do believe kind sir.

Speaking of rested, what is up with Eric Wedge “resting” Koby by pitching him in the 9th inning of a blowout game?

“I think it’s fair to say that he’s probably wearing down a little bit,” Wedge said. (Indians.com)

I mean really sir, are you serious?

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]

That was like pulling teeth; Tribe Win 4 Straight

Seriously now, Tuna.. That was like going to the dentist.

In the end though, everything was fine.

Edwin Mujica pulled one of those, I’m going to blow the game for you, so I can get the win kind of deals. Not only that, he only gave up one earned run. He’ll, I wouldn’t give him the win, he stunk. Just go winless on this one or give it to Donnelly. I mean seriously now, that was just..

Why bring him in with the bases loaded and one out? Are you really that evil Wedge?

Guy thew eight pitches and basically gave up four runs.

I thought Eddie had something, and then we started putting him in more pressure situations and he’s failed. So, I think it might be safe to say Mujica won’t be a major part of this pen.

Brendan Donnelly has the makings of that though. His first game back and he’s thrown right into the fire of a two run game in the 8th inning, like he’s used to. He got the job done. He was clocking in near 90 MPH on the gun so he’s got his arm there.

Real excited about him. This isn’t Juan Rincon or anything, this could be for real.

You can’t say enough about the offense tonight, despite leaving a lot of runs on the table (cough Marte 5 cough). Grady left 7 on base but Marte was just… Frustrating.

Ryan Garko probably had the most runners on base in his at bats and he didn’t leave any, getting a sac fly in the first and a bases loaded single later in the game. Ryan is coming around for sure.

How about Sal Fasano knocking in two runs? Man what a backup.. We are three deep at the Catcher position with him hitting .323. No reason we shouldn’t hold onto the big man for the remainder of the year.

Andy Gonzalez pinch ran for Garko and later hit the big two run jack for extra insurance. Great work there Sir.

Droobs had that nice solo home run and you can see Vic razzing on him in the dugout. I think he’s made him his mentor somewhat. Two Venezuelans, great to see.

Benny Fresh has a solo shot as well, knocks in a run. Looking good. The offense really got it done, despite leaving tons of opportunities on the board. This could have been a no doubter but the bullpen and Eric Wedge’s stubbornness to leave Fausto in the game made it tougher.

Fausto was okay.. He’s still getting into it. He had some innings where he looked downright dominant like his old self, so that’s encouraging. He’s still trying to feel his way around though, you can tell.

Well, that’s one down and 9 to go on the homestand. You got the exact opposites going tomorrow. Wild man Daniel Cabrera and Control Pitcher Jeremy Sowers. That will be interesting.

[BOXSCORE]

Wakeup Wahoo: Shoppach Breaks Bat, Cliff Lee Still Rocks

Cliff Lee isn’t worried about 20 wins or Cy Young awards or anything. I think I am though, along with the rest of you are. He isn’t though.

“I just worry about my next start,” Lee said, “and what I have to do to give myself the best chance to win.” (Indians.com)

That is the difference between Cliff Lee of 2008 and Cliff Lee of the past and I think is the reason you won’t see him fall on his face next year. Cliff is a changed pitcher and he has a different mindset as Eric Wedge put it.

He did however find the Kelly Shoppach bat break funny, but Kelly’s wife doesn’t like when he does that.

“After the fact, you feel like a jackass, Some people think it’s cool, but my wife hates it,” Shoppach said. “She thinks I look like a baby.” (Indians.com)

It is cool Kelly.. Keep doing it you rebel.

Grizzle isn’t going to be trying that any time in the near future.

“It was awesome. I’ve seen Kelly do it a couple of times. If I tried to do that, I’d probably end up in a hospital.” (Plain Dealer)

Grady played QB.. Kelly played FB… I think that’s why Kelly can snap a bat over his thigh and Grady can’t.

Speaking of Grady Sizemore, Shin-Soo Choo came up to him for some help, and Grady is not shying away from that leadership role at all.

“Grady Sizemore has been helping me a lot, especially against left-handers,” said Choo. “He’s been telling me what they throw and how he tries to hit against them.” (Plain Dealer)

One guy who Wedge is hoping brings a little veteran leadership to the bullpen is Brendan Donnelly.

“And he has a little salt to him, too,” Wedge said. “All that should help these guys.” (Indians.com)

A little salt to him? Wow combined with that outrageous tan he got in Winter Haven, I might just want to eat him on a sandwich than watch him in my bullpen. Are we trying to cook him or pitch him? Seriously now.

For now, Wedge isn’t assigning Donnelly a role, quite like how he isn’t assigning anyone a role.

Jensen Lewis will get another shot to close out a game and who knows what could go on from there.

Eric Wedge is a little giddy about Travis Hafner coming back. So much he thinks Hafner could be RIGHT BEHIND both Martinez and Barfield in terms of a rehab assignment. Now there is no telling how many of the 10 days rehab games allowed Hafner will take up, but we could see him sooner than expected. He is trying to take BP this week which is the last step a player needs to cocmplete before rehab.

Victor Martinez will be on one this weekend and Josh Barfield will be right around there as well. Good times, good news, we are getting our players back.

Ben Francisco’s stay in the three hole is probably over with Martinez coming back soon. Kelly Shoppach is hitting there for experience says Eric Wedge, that and he’s really hot, so why not?

“It’s an opportunity for him to hit in a primary spot in the order,” Wedge said. “He’s done a good job, his approach has been consistent, he’s driving the ball. I don’t see him ending up there, but, with where we’re at, it’s a good opportunity for him.” (Indians.com)

Neat.. I updated the boards yesterday, but they are gonna need another one here with Fedroff and the Lake County call-ups.

Wakeup Wahoo: Garko Dusts Himself Off; Byrd Dusting the Competition

How often do you see the headline… “Byrd Goes Distance, Outduels Halladay.”

Seriously.. That was the headline today on Indians.com. Paul Byrd really pitched well and the Tribe managed to get enough off Halladay for him to succeed. Amazing when you think about it. His value is at an all time high with the way he’s pitched the past 30 some days. He’s cleared waivers, yet no team is interested? The Indians are gonna have to pay his salary if they don’t trade him, so they should really just eat anything for a deal.

“I knew I had to do something different,” Byrd said. “I had to change. I feel good with where I’m at right now. I’m very confident. Better late than never.” (Indians.com)

Some of his success can be attributed to the rework of his curveball with the help of Twins broadcaster and should-be hall of famer Bert Blyleven.

Good news if Brendan Donnelly regains form and becomes a reliable bullpen arm for the Tribe down the stretch.

“So far, everything is leading to a relationship in the future.” (Plain Dealer)

So far, no action for the tan-man(check out his bio picture at Indians.com), but I hope he pans out. It’d be nice if he helps out the team that gave him a chance to regain himself.

Interesting thing from Hey Hoynsie.

Hey, Hoynsie: It was reported on XM-MLB radio that the Indians targeted Matt LaPorta in the CC Sabathia trade because Travis Hafner’s injury is far worse than thought and he may end up needing surgery that may put him out for 18 months and maybe end his career. — Casey Morgan, Olmsted Falls

Hey, Casey: I don’t know what’s going on in Hafner’s shoulder. He’s back swinging the bat, the Indians keep saying he’ll play before the end of the season and that he won’t need surgery. This season has taught me not to take their word where the health of their players is concerned.

But I doubt they traded for LaPorta to make him a DH. He’ll get a shot at left field. If that fails, he’ll be tested at first. You don’t trade a Cy Young winner for a 23-year-old DH. If you do, there have to be consequences.

Are you kiddin me Tuna?

I doubt it.. The Indians acquired Matt LaPorta because… HES MATT LAPORTA! DUH!

While we are on the CC Trade… Eric Wedge actually spent some time to watch his former Ace pitch.

“Not too many days do I wait around and watch the end of another baseball game after we’re done playing,” said Wedge. “CC is a special guy.” (Plain Dealer)

Some may wonder if the Brewers are abusing their new toy. Whatever you want to call it, they are getting their moneys worth for him.

Ryan Garko is really taking to the pick yourself up and dust yourself off thing.

“I made a mistake, I owned [up to] it, and I was pretty hard on myself these last couple days,” he said. “But everybody makes mistakes and gets knocked down sometimes. It’s about what you do when you get back up.” (Indians.com)

I’ve been waiting for Garko to do this. He’s been met with plenty of opportunities this year and hasn’t taken advantage. If there was ever a time to repsond, it would be now.

It’s becoming painfully obvious that Anthony Reyes just needed a change, and the Indians provided him with that.

Here’s a little bit of Karma for ya after letting Brandon Phillips flourish with another team.

“When I’d get sent down in St. Louis, no one ever told me what I was supposed to work on,” said Reyes. “It wasn’t like it was anything mean, but I was going crazy trying to figure out if I did something wrong. Did I step on someone’s toes?” (Plain Dealer)

Wakeup Wahoo: Peralta Picking It Up

Jhonny Peralta is just getting it done on the RBI front and now he’s getting that average up.

“What a great day for Jhonny,” said Wedge. “He was squaring up everything. Hitting the ball other way. Staying through breaking balls, squaring up fastballs.” (Plain Dealer)

Gotta tip your hat off to Jhonny getting these 5-5 nights. Keep doing it Jhonny… We need them.. I’m shocked because he hasn’t really cooled off at all since he started this tear. That was the thing with Jhonny. He was always there and then gone. He’s been consistent as all hell. .371 in the last 26 games.

There is tons of talk about Trevor Crowe geting called up come September.. Most believe he is the solution to the lead-off problem the team would have if the Indians moved Grady Sizemore down in the order.

“Obviously I’d like to hit leadoff. But, the thing is, Grady Sizemore is such a good leadoff hitter, that if he wants to do it, he’s going to be there,” Crowe said. “All I can do is play as well as I can every day.” (Indians.com)

I certainly think Crowe compares to Grady a little bit. He could be a great solution if the Indians ever decide to move Grizzle down.

So Brendan Donnelly and Anthony Reyes called up for the game today. I’m sure we will see Donnelly if needed. Reyes will start for sure and let’s hope he does good. He could be a great solution to our starter problem for next year. That would leave one vet signing instead of two. Donnelly doesn’t have a contract for next year but you would think if he shows he is back that he’d give the Indians dibs on re-signing him because they gave him a chance to rehab.

“So far, everything has been feeling good,” Donnelly said. “I’ve kind of been treating these games as a Spring Training for me, working on different things each outing, all while competing and trying to get people out, execute pitches. Each time it seems like it’s been getting better and better and stronger.” (Indians.com)

Expect more news on Hafner today and if It warrants it I’ll update. If not, look for a Joe Inglett, What Could Have Been.

Update 12:45: I forgot to mention that Paul Byrd CLEARED waivers, he can be traded to any team of the Indians choosing if someone wants him. Doubt it happens though.

Try to get the boards updated the best I can. There’s some moving around going on with the rosters and who knows what else will get shaken up, there could be some releases or shifts, never know.

Shake Up is Coming: Anthony Reyes and Brendan Donnelly Called Up

So I think the the shake up will continue beyond this. BUT, here are two moves real quick. The Indians sent Tom Mastny down to Buffalo and called up Anthony Reyes. Reyes will probably start this weekend. They need a start because Matt Ginter is headed to the 15 Day DL.

To take Mastny’s spot in the bullpen, former World Series reliever Brendan Donnelly will be called up. They still need to make a move for the 40 man roster. No word on that either..

I just hope there’s a move coming with Juan Rincon.. Maybe a Paul Byrd trade.. Maybe find a way to get rid of Rafael Betancourt.

More Shake-up to come I hope. I like both these moves.. Hopefull Donelly is right and we can get him back next year.. We need ANOTHER FRIGGIN guy in the pen.

Minor League Update: Donnelly Debuts in Buffalo

Morgan Ensberg knocked in all four runs for the Herd last night in their extra innings loss. Ensberg hit his first home run as a member of Buffalo and went 2-6. Randy Newsome blew the save and Brendan Donnelly picked up a hold in his Buffalo debut. Zach Jackson made a start and went four innings giving up just one run off two hits, two walks and four strikeouts. He threw 54 pitches.

The Herd activated Donnelly after he spent the entire first half of the year on the disabled list. JD Martin was sent to Akron.

Akron lost both games of a double header. Frank Herrman’s effort was wasted in game one after going 5 innings and giving up just one earned. Trevor Crowe went 1-4 with an RBI

James Deters got roughed up in the second game. Chuck Lofgren pitched two innings of relief and gave up a run. Matt LaPorta went 1-3 with an RBI and Brandon Pinckney hit a home run.

Beau Mills went 2-4 with an RBI and Jerad Head homered again last night in Kinston’s loss. Jeanmar Gomez’s lead was blown after he pitched 5 innings giving up just one run. Niuman Romero’s hit streak is now at 21.

Lake County’s offensive woes continue. They couldn’t muster up enough support for Joey Mahalic’s 6.1 inning, 2 run outting.

Mahoning Valley’s Kaimi Mead had the same fate as he went 5 innings giving up just one run. The Scrappers were 3-hit.

Matt McBride should be close to getting out of the Gulf Coast League. He went 2-3 with two runs scored and a RBI. He’s now hitting .356.

Here is a new piece of David Huff at the Cleveland Fan.

Minor League Update: Rich Rundles in Triple-A All Star Game Tonight

Don’t forget the Triple-A All-Star Game is happening in Louisville tonight. Buffalo is represented by Rich Rundles. The Game starts at 7:00 P.M. and is on ESPN2.

Winston Salem beat up on Kinston last night. Jason Denham hit his fifth home run, but Sung-Wei Tseng, Neil Wagner, and Vinnie Pestano got knocked around. Niuman Romero was able to extend his hit-streak to 20 games though.

Romero was named Carolina League Player of the Week.

Brendan Donnelly made his first rehab apperance though and pitched a scoreless inning.

Overall a very sleepy day for the Minor League Teams.. If they weren’t on break they had an off-day. Not sure if that is by design or not.

Minor League Update: Donnelly Debuts

Matt Whitney had a four RBI night as Akron defeated Binghamton on the the 4th of July. Bronson Sardinha went deep as did Nathan Panther fresh off the DL. Luis Perdomo blew the save however.

Kinston won as well behind Beau Mills and his 12th home run of the year. Nick Weglarz also went deep.

Mahoning Valley lost, but I had to pass by this information. The kid that picked up the save for Staten Island is probably someone you’ve heard of. Pat Venditte is that switch pitcher you might have seen on ESPN a few weeks ago.

A note that got past me yesterday.. Brendan Donnelly made his debut with the GCL Indians the other day. He only lasted two thirds of an inning and surrendered two runs off four hits. I really don’t see him ever making our big league team, especially since we are sellers at this point. Who knows what we do with him.

Buffalo has added another arm. The Indians signed Preston Larrison who was with the Tigers his entire career. He never has made it to the Major League team and has exercised some clause in his contract to make him a free agent.