It's Tribe Time | A Cleveland Indians Franchise

**Vinsane** · 03-17-2009, 09:58 AM

Indians shut out in home opener.

Eric Wedge in post game interview, after his tribe lost 5-0.

AP - Cleveland, OH - The Indians looked to rebound from a 1-2 series in Texas and where better to do that than Cleveland? Better yet, to do it against the Blue Jays? At least that's what the Indians thought they were going to get. In reality the Indians got plastered yet again with two long balls and superb pitching from the Blue Jays that led to their 5-0 defeat in their home opener. A lot of concern is being voiced now out of Cleveland with this 1-3 start against what come consider sub-par talent.

Is the concern a legitimate one? That's what Eric Wedge was asked during the post-game interview after he held a team meeting. Eric responded with this. "It's early, some of these guys still have what I call spring arms, their not up to their "in-season" form. Look we've got one-hundred-fifty-eight games on the schedule to play, because we're 1-3 is not reason to hit the panic button just yet."

While Eric brings up a good point the Indians do not want to start of the season this way and Eric agrees. "You look at our schedule and I see teams like the Yankees and Red Sox, I see division rivals coming up, I see a lot of really good teams. Yes we have to find our stride and maybe it will come against these teams. Right now we're focusing on getting better and turning this series around. In Texas the away team lost the first game and picked up the next two, we've got to do the same and break even on the year at .500."

Blue Jays Lineup:

RF Rios 1-5 |
DH Inglett 1-5 |
CF Wells 2-4 | 1K
LF Lind 1-4 | 1K
1B Overbay 3-4 |
3B Rolen 1-4 |
C Barajas 0-4 | 2K
2B Hill 0-4 |
SS Scutaro 2-4 |

Batting:

2B: L. Overbay (1), J. Inglett (1)
3B: V. Wells (1)
HR: A. Rios (3), V. Wells (2)
RBI: M. Scutaro (3), A. Rios 2 (5), V. Wells 2 (6)

Blue Jays Pitching:

Richmond (W, 1-0) | 9.0IP | 6H | 8SO | 0.00 ERA |

Indians Lineup:

CF Sizemore 0-4 | 1K
2B Cabrera 0-4 | 1K
C Martinez 0-4 | 1K
DH Hafner 1-4 | 1K
1B Garko 1-4 | 2K
SS Peralta 2-4 | 2K
3B DeRosa 1-3 |
RF Choo 0-3 |
LF Francisco 1-3|

Fielding:

E: M. DeRosa (1)

Indians Pitching:

Reyes(L, 0-1) | 6.2IP | 7H | 3R | 3ER | 4SO | 4.05 ERA |
Betancourt | 2.1IP | 4H | 2R | 2ER | 7.71 ERA |

Player of the Game:

Scott Richmond

9.0 Innings 6 Hits 8 Strikeouts

**Vinsane** · 03-17-2009, 11:48 AM

Peralta's two homers not enough, Indians lose fourth straight.

Jhonny Peralta had quite the day, Indians still lose.

AP - Cleveland, OH - Cleveland continues to look for answers. The starting pitching has been horrible, The Bullpen can't bounce back, the bats still haven't woke up and the Indians dig themselves further into a hole. This is the story so far as the Indians dropped their fourth straight game in as many days, losing to the Blue Jays 11-3. No one in Cleveland can get anything going, pitching, batting, fielding, it's all been horrible and it continues to be a problem as the Indians head into game three with the Blue Jays tommorow.

A bright spot on the day was Jhonny Peralta that blasted two homers for the Indians, but it's going to take a lot more for the Indians to improve and actually pick up wins. It was another slug-fest as the Indians fell again unable to score runs across the plate. While their opponent the Toronto Blue Jays seemed to do it at will. Cliff Lee who was pelted in his first showing will take the mound for the Indians tomorrow as they try to avoid the sweep in their home opening series.

Blue Jays Lineup:

RF Rios 4-5 |
DH Inglett 1-5 | 1K
CF Wells 2-5 |
LF Lind 3-5 |
3B Rolen 0-4 | 3K
1B Overbay 2-4 |
C Barajas 2-5 |
2B Hill 3-5 | 1K
SS Scutaro 1-5 |

Batting:

2B: A. Hill 2 (5), A. Rios (1), V. Wells 2 (4)
3B: L. Overbay (1), A. Lind (1)
HR. R. Barajas (2)
RBI: A. Rios 2 (7), V. Wells 2 (8), A. Lind 2 (2), R. Barajas 5 (6)
HBP: S. Rolen
GIDP: V. Wells, L. Overbay

Blue Jays Pitching:

Hallday (W, 2-0) | 8.0IP | 10H | 3R | 3ER | 3SO | 1.69 ERA |
League | 1.0IP | 2H | 0.00 ERA |

Indians Lineup:

CF Sizemore 2-4 |
2B Cabrera 2-4 |
C Martinez 1-4 |
DH Hafner 0-4 |
1B Garko 1-4 |
SS Peralta 2-4 |
3B DeRosa 2-4 | 1K
RF Choo 2-4 |
LF Francisco 0-4| 2K

Batting:

2B: M. DeRosa (3)
HR: J. Peralta 2 (2)
RBI: J. Peralta 3 (3)
GIDP: V. Martinez

Baserunning:

CS: G. Sizemore (2)

Indians Pitching:

Pavano(L, 0-1) | 4.0IP | 9H | 6R | 6ER | 2SO | 13.50 ERA |
Meloan | 3.2IP | 4H | 2R | 2ER | 4.05 ERA |
Kobayashi | 1.1 IP | 5H | 3R | 3ER | 1SO | 8.10 ERA |

Player of the Game:

Rod Barajas

2 for 5 - HR, 5 RBI

**mfbmike** · 03-17-2009, 12:31 PM

Oh man, you are getting straight rocked right now.

**Vinsane** · 03-17-2009, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by GSW92

damn tough start

The Show is proving to be a challenge, I was this far in 2k9 when I traded it in and I notice a distinct difference in the skill it takes to get things going.

Originally posted by Bad Asp

I'm a Tribe fan. So I'm any Indians Chise gets my attention. Goodluck!
Tough start, but this isn't a big surprise having watched this team last few seasons.
BTW - do yourself a HUGE favor & trade the oft injured & rarely consistent 'pronk'.

The thought crossed my mind, it's too early now. I'll give Hafner an early benifit of the doubt right now, but mid-end may if he's not producing to the trade block he goes.

Originally posted by mfbmike

Oh man, you are getting straight rocked right now.

It's hard finding a groove in this game, when I think I got pitching figured out I get rocked, when I think I have batting figured out I swing and miss at everything, I'm also tweaking sliders to my style of gameplay so hopefully I find a happy medium where I can have fun (Which I'm not having any right now) and get a good challenge out of this game as well.

**Vinsane** · 03-17-2009, 01:28 PM

SWEPT!

Eric Wedge watches the final out in the ninth as Toronto completes the sweep of Cleveland.

AP - Cleveland, OH - It was a sobering experience for the Tribe. That's all that could be said about Sunday's 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays, The Indians looked to bounce back in this home series before heading on the road again, what they got was a broom in their own house. As the Indians look ahead in their schedule now there is little to be excited about. The next seven games are on the road, first up a three game series against Central Division opponent Kansas City, then they travel to the Bronx where the New York Yankees look to open their new stadium and christen it with wins against the fading Tribe.

A few players were avaliable for comment for the first time this season, Cliff Lee commented on his performance on the day. "When I go out there, throw my stuff, and I still get belted by the long ball, it's frustrating. I felt good early on then it fell apart of the next six innings. I'm ashamed of my start to the season." Travis Hafner commented on the lack of offensive production over the past six games. "We're swinging the bats, getting guys on base, not getting across the plate. That has to change, where better for it to change than Kansas City?"

Blue Jays Lineup:

RF Rios 1-5 | 1K
LF Lind 1-5 | 2K
CF Wells 2-5 | 1K
3B Bautista 0-4 | 2K
DH Rolen 0-4 | 2K
1B Overbay 3-4 |
2B Hill 2-4 |
C Barrett 2-4 |
SS Scutaro 2-4 |

Batting:

2B: A. Lind (2)
RBI: M. Scutaro (4), C. Wells (9), L. Overbay (1), M. Barrett (1)
GIDP: A. Hill

Fielding

E: A. Hill (1)

Blue Jays Pitching:

McGowan (W, 1-0) | 6.0IP | 7H | 3R | 1ER | 2SO | 1.50 ERA |
Carlson (H, 2) | 1.0IP | 0.00 ERA |
Downs (H, 1) | 1.0IP | 1H | 9.00 ERA |
Ryan (S, 2) | 1.0IP | 13.50 ERA |

Indians Lineup:

CF Sizemore 0-4 |
2B Cabrera 3-4 |
C Martinez 1-4 | 1K
DH Hafner 1-4 | 1K
1B Garko 0-4 |
SS Peralta 1-4 |
3B DeRosa 1-4 |
RF Choo 1-3 |
LF Francisco 0-3 |

Batting:

3B: A. Cabrera (1)
RBI: T. Hafner 2 (4), R. Garko (1)
GIDP: V. Martinez, M. DeRosa
Indians Pitching:

Lee (L, 0-1) | 6.0IP | 11H | 4R | 4ER | 6SO | 8.10 ERA |
Smith | 3.0IP | 2H | 2SO | 0.00 ERA |

Player of the Game:

Dustin McGowan

6.0 Innings 7 Hits 2 Strikeouts

**Vinsane** · 03-17-2009, 01:59 PM

Series Preview:

(1-5) @ (2-4)

Division Standings

Game 1:

F. Carmona (0-1, 4.50 ERA) | G. Meche (0-0, 3.86 ERA)

Game 2:

A. Laffey (0-1, 12.00 ERA) | B. Bannister (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Game 3:

A. Reyes (0-1, 4.05 ERA) | L. Hochevar (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Key Bank's "Keys to Succes"

1.) Forget the Standings - The Indians don't need to focus on where they are in the AL Central but rather picking up wins against this AL Central opponent. From the looks of things early this Kansas City team could be dangerous to all teams in the Central or they could still be the Kansas City Kitties that the Central is used to, it's too early to tell, don't let them hurt us early.

2.) Disipline - Much improved over the past two series it's time to put that good disipline to work and get some W's in that win column and climb up fom the cellar.

3.) Focus on the series - Cleveland doesn't need to be distracted by New York up ahead, take this series one game at a time and work your way to victories in Kansas City before getting ahead of themselves, the Indians keep their heads in the right place, good things will happen.

**Vinsane** · 03-17-2009, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by I0I HaVoK I0I

Hey on the boxscore it says 4-4 but other than that good job on this

Thanks, I missed that on my proof read.

**Vinsane** · 03-17-2009, 11:19 PM

Originally posted by Bad Asp

Cellar dwellars. :confused:
Goodluck on getting this on track.

It hurt to look at the standings, believe me.

**Vinsane** · 03-18-2009, 10:02 AM

Indians Snap Streak At Five!

DH Travis Hafner finally finds his bat with this two run shot.

AP - Kansas City, MO - The day started off, just like any other. The sun rose in the east and sat in the west. The Indians day did not start off like any other. With the late night game ahead of them the Indians got up in their hotel awfully early around noon for a team meeting called by Eric Wedge. Wedge was feeling the pressure of the upcoming game, already last place in the AL Central is no way to start a season. Wedge explained to his guys what he expected from them, calling out a lot of the star players that have failed to produce in the early going. Travis Hafner was one of those guys.

"Skip looked to me and said 'You feeling all right Pronk?' I told him yeah, then he told me. 'Well then go out there and hit the damn ball!' The meeting got us fired up and ready for the game. I don't think there was any way we were going to los tonight." There were however chances for the Royals to ruin the pre-game speech that lit a fuse under the Indians collective butts. Early on they took a 1-0 lead in the second. The Indians responded with a four run third that included a shot by Travis Hafner. Again the Royals would score in the fourth to cut the lead in half 4-2.

The Indians thought it would be smooth sailing to close the door, they scored two in the eighth off a shot from Jhonny Peralta, his third of the season. The Indians brought on Rafeal Perez who gave up two earned runs to make the game 6-4 heading into the ninth. Kerry Wood would come on to close the door, not appearing since his blown save at the start of the season, Wood would get the three outs needed, facing four batters and the Indians were given their second win of the season and snap their five game losing skid. They look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season when game two of this series kicks off.

Indians Lineup:

CF Sizemore 2-5 |
2B Cabrera 2-5 |
C Martinez 1-4 |
DH Hafner 1-4 |
1B Garko 0-4 |
SS Peralta 2-4 |
3B DeRosa 1-4 |
RF Dellucci** 1-4 |
LF Francisco 2-4 |

** - Appeared for Choo who was given the day off.

Batting:

HR: T. Hafner (1), J. Peralta (3)
RBI: G. Sizemore (5), A. Cabrera (3), T. Hafner 2 (6), J. Peralta 2 (5)

Indians Pitching:

Carmona (W, 1-1) | 6.0IP | 5H | 2R | 2ER | 1BB | 6SO | 3.75 ERA |
Perez (H, 1) | 2.0IP | 2H | 2R | 2ER | 4.50 ERA |
Wood (S, 1) | 1.0IP | 1H | 1SO | 0.00 ERA |

Royals Lineup:

LF DeJesus 2-4 | 1K
3B Gordon 1-4 |
DH Guillen 0-3 | 1K
1B Jacobs 1-4 | 1K
RF Teahen 0-4 |
CF Crisp 2-4 |
C Olivo 0-4 | 2K
2B Callaspo 2-3 |
SS Bloomquist 0-4 | 2K

Batting:

3B: C. Crisp (1), D. DeJesus (2)
HR: M. Jacobs (3)
RBI: J. Guillen (8), M. Jacobs (5), A. Callaspo 2 (2)
SF: J. Guillen, A. Callaspo

Royals Pitching:

Meche (L, 0-1) | 5.1IP | 9H | 4R | 4ER | 1SO | 5.23 ERA |
Gobble | 2.1IP | 2H | 2R | 2ER | 1SO | 3.68 ERA |
Bale | 1.0IP | 1H | 2.35 ERA |

Player of the Game:

J. Peralta

2 for 4 - HR, 2RBI

**mfbmike** · 03-18-2009, 10:07 AM

Finally got those bats going. Nice work.

**Vinsane** · 03-20-2009, 10:32 AM

Winning Streak!

SP Aaron Laffey chased the perfect game, then the shut out, ended with career day.

AP - Kansas City, MO - With the calling of a winning streak in their midst the Indians felt no pressure heading into Kaufmann Stadium, yeah, right. The Tribe needed to secure another win for their first winning streak of the season, they did so in fashion as Aaron Laffey gave the performance that the Indians starters needed to get the rotation, and the bullpen on the right track. Early on through four innigs Laffey was chasing a no hitter, he had retired 13 straight when his no hitter was snapped by the first hit in the game, given up in the fifth. Mark DeRosa commented. "You don't talk about it, you let the pitcher do his thing, you don't approach him in the dugout, nothing. You can tell Aaron wanted someone to say something, he's a young kid, a lot of pressure riding on his shoulders. After the play he looked over to me at third, shrugged his shoulders and went back to pitching. The kid is special."

The twenty-three year old Laffey has plenty of baseball ahead of him for the Tribe who plan on keeping this young hurler in their rotation, if there was any doubt he belonged here, you can't really erase it off of one performance, but he showed he can compete at the big league level. Aaron was reached after the game as well. "I went out there and pitched, the guys backed me up on defense, yeah it would of been nice to get the no-hitter, it would of been nice to get the complete game shut-out, but as a starter in the rotation my job is to get wins and put our bullpen in position to close out the tough game. I did my job tonight, that extra stuff is nice, but I'm just glad we got the win."

The tribe conclude the series tomorrow night, they currently lead 2-0.

Lineup:

CF Sizemore 1-5 | 1K
2B Carroll** 1-4 |
C Martinez 2-4 |
DH Hafner 1-4 |
1B Garko 1-4 |
SS Peralta 0-4 |
3B DeRosa 1-4 |
RF Choo 2-4 |
LF Francisco 3-4 |

** - Appeared for Cabrera who was given the day off.

Batting:

2B: G. Sizemore (1), T. Hafner (1), S. Choo (4), B. Francisco (2)
3B: M. DeRosa (1)
RBI: R. Garko (2), J. Peralta (6), M. DeRosa (3), S. Choo (2), B. Fracisco (3)

Baserunning:

CS: G. Sizemore (3), B. Francisco (1)

Pitching:

Laffey (W, 1-1) | 8.0IP | 6H | 2R | 2ER | 9SO | 6.43 ERA |
Wood | (S, 2) | 1.0IP | 1SO | 0.00 ERA |

**Vinsane** · 03-20-2009, 10:57 AM

The Lineup Shuffle.

Manager Eric Wedge, faced with a tough decision as he scratches the middle of the lineup.

AP - Kansas City, MO - Indians Manager Eric Wedge announced today that three of his players will be on the bench for the series finale with the Kansas City Royals, stating that much needed R&R is key for the upcoming series with the Yankees. C Victor Martinez, DH Travis Hafner, and 1B Ryan Garko will be riding pine for the game 3 showdown tonight. Kelly Shoppach will take over for V-Mart at the plate, David Dellucci will pick up the bat to DH while Jamey Carrol will appear for his second game this season, this time at first base.

When asked why the sudden change in the line-up especially against a division opponent Eric Wedge had this to say. "These guys have been going non-stop, Travis and Ryan have struggled at the plate, Victor is a shade below where he should be. And all three have appeared in all our games this season." When asked if this was a disrespect move to the Kansas City Royals Eric Wedge was furiated to say the least. "Disrespect? If I wanted to Disrespect the Royals I'd put Travis on the mound and bring up all our guys from Columbus, are you (explicit) kidding me?"

The Indians and Royals will end their series tonight.

**mfbmike** · 03-20-2009, 11:01 AM

Hell of a win up there. I'm having some success against the Royals as well. :D

"Disrespect? If I wanted to Disrespect the Royals I'd put Travis on the mound and bring up all our guys from Columbus, are you (explicit) kidding me?"

haha nice read.

**Vinsane** · 03-20-2009, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by mfbmike

Hell of a win up there. I'm having some success against the Royals as well. :D

haha nice read.

I follow yours to the T. mike, if you haven't noticed, you're an inspiration. Thanks, since I don't have PS I'll make up for my lack of graphics with my writing. I hope you guys enjoy.

**mfbmike** · 03-20-2009, 11:38 AM

Appreciate it.

And yeah, I remember when you wrote that piece after the Superbowl. It was

It's Tribe Time | A Cleveland Indians Franchise

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