It's Tribe Time | A Cleveland Indians Franchise

[Vinsane]

Two Months To Go!

AP - Cleveland, OH - One hundred games are in the book, only sixty-two more to go until fall baseball. It seems like yesterday the Indians started the season 3-7. Now fast forward ninety games later and you see where that 3-7 start got us. Twenty games above .500 and yet the Indians are still not a shoe-in for the Major League Playoffs. Just goes to show you that the season isn't decided in July.

The next two months are going to be filled primarily with AL Central match-ups. Of the sixty two games left on the year thirty will be against Division opponents. While the Indians hold a 5.0 game lead in the Al Central, it doesn't gaurentee a Central crown, or anything remotely close to a playoff appearance, should they slip? The Indians would be out of contention for the AL Wild Card. Making winning the Central the most important of things on Eric Wedge's priorities of the season.

"We've got to win the Central, no doubt about it." Commented Wedge in a post-game appearance in Los Angeles. "To get to the playoffs, your best bet is win your division. I don't think we could stay on pace with the Yankees for the next two months," Wedge continued later to say. "It's going to be a hell of a footrace to the final day. With big opponents in the way along the path, we're in for a hell of a ride."

Which may, or may not be good for the Tribe who have been on a roller coaster ride in the past few months. Going from a team barely able to get the lead in the Central to being the most dominating team of the summer, to their recent flopping like a fish out of water against the likes of the Mariners, and Blue Jays. Teams that won't make the post-season and are coming a month away from Elimination. While there is still plenty of time for teams, a lot of them hit the panic button awhile ago and still haven't recovered from the tailspin.

The story lines coming into the final two months are thick with drama. While everyone is talking about the series now across the Major League. It could come down to the final weeks, or final week, or even, final series before our playoff teams are set. While it's been a great ride up until this point, baseball fans know that the best is yet to come. Let us hope for our Tribe, that the best leads us to the post-season and dare I wish, a World Series?

[T.Dot]

I like your chances in the Central especially with a five game lead.

Can you update us on the full Central standings?

[Vinsane]

wow big win. your offense was red hot

The first Grady homer I was like "That doesn't happen, often." The second? "OMG, this is brutal" Then Nick Johnson blasts one and game ova.

I like your chances in the Central especially with a five game lead.

Can you update us on the full Central standings?

After the Angels comes the Tigers, you can wait till then. :nunchuck:

[Vinsane]

Welcome Back!


Josh Willingham, patrolling Left Field.

AP - Los Angeles, CA - It's been a long time since the Indians have been at full strength. As they battled injuries throughout most of the year. When Josh Willingham went down it was only days after the Tribe got back their back-up catcher, Kelly Shoppach. Willingham tore a calf muscle running down a ball in left field. Mark Shapiro delivered the news to reporters and said Willingham was going to be sidelined 1-2 months.

While Willingham was away from the team he stayed focused on getting better. He attended every work out and rehab session and was often thirty minutes early to each session. A representative from the Cleveland Clinic, the Indians rehab center. Had this to say about Willingham's workout routine. "Josh always came in focused, ready to do work. He pushed it when he could, held back on the throttle when he should have. I've never met a player who was more sound about themselves and knowing what their body could and could not handle".

When news broke that Josh was back on the team during their games in Seattle, a buzz was unleashed around the Indians. Josh was back a full month earlier than expected and yet was not given the opportunity to meet the media about the injury. Eric Wedge kept his left fielder safe until he was ready to put him in the starting line-up. That will be in the next game against the Los Angeles Angels. Willingham was able to be reached via phone at his hotel in Los Angeles.

"I feel great". Said Willingham. "I've missed baseball for the past month while I was rehabbing. I missed running in the field, I missed chasing fly balls. I missed swinging a bat. I feel like I'm ready to perform. And now we're leading the AL Central so I have to deliver if I want to stay on this team."

When asked about his assignment since the return of Grady Sizemore. Willingham was quick to acknowledge his team mates. "They held down the field, and with Grady back I feel we have one of the best outfields in the league. Eric is giving me left field, Grady will take center, Ben will move to right. We're ready to take on the challenge of patrolling the grass."

Willingham who was acquired in a trade was part of the Indians success while he was on the field. His defense was outstanding and his offensive output was often the best on the team outside of Victor Martinez. Willingham is one of the pieces to what Cleveland fans hope is a championship puzzle.

[Vinsane]

Error! Error! Error!


Macier Izturis had an off night, committing all three errors for the Angels.

AP - Los Angeles, CA - In game two the Indians got a little help. From the other team. Some thought early on it was going to be another offensive game for the Indians in the first inning as they scored five runs off of five hits. Izturis committed his first of three in the first inning that put the first run on the board for the Tribe. With Josh Willingham coming back for his first game he delivered with bases loaded, scoring three RBIs on a double.

"It's good to have Josh back". said Eric Wedge. "We've been missing him in the line-up and in left field. He was doing good things for us from the time he got here up until his injury, today proved that I shouldn't expect that output to change." finished Wedge.

The Tribe gave up three runs in the bottom of the first but it was relatively easily sailing from there. Fausto Carmona pitched well but was taking out an inning earlier than expected, due to fatigue. "I tossed eighty pitches, that's my limit in games like this. If I have to throw 100+ it will be in games we need, like an AL Central game, or the playoffs. Eric doesn't want to take any risks with this rotation." added Carmona.

The Indians will look to get the sweep against the Angels. They'll have Cliff Lee on the mound for them. Lee as of late has done good things for the Tribe as he rebounds from his questionable start and mid-summer slump. This final game will be before the Indians take on their next three series, all against AL Central opponents, starting with the Tigers who have charged up during the slump the Indians experienced.

Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: V. Martinez (23), J. Willingham (23)
3B: G. Sizemore (2)
RBI: A. Cabrera (28), R. Garko (43), J. Willingham 3 (52)
HBP: N. Johnson
GIDP: J. Willingham

Fielding:

E: V. Martinez (3)

Pitching:

Carmona (W, 12-2) | 6.0IP | 10H | 4R | 4ER | 6SO | 3.35 ERA |
Smith | 2.0IP | 1H | 4SO | 3.62 ERA |
Wood (S, 37) | 1.0IP | 2.29 ERA |



Lineup:

3B Figgins 1-4 | 1K
LF Abreu 1-4 | 1K
RF Guerrero 2-3 |
DH Rivera 0-4 | 2K
CF Hunter 2-4 | 1K
SS Izturis 2-4 | 1K
1B Morales 0-3 | 1K
PH Kendrick 0-1 |
2B Aybar 2-4 | 1K
C Wilson 1-3 | 2K
PH Matthews Jr. 0-1 |

Batting:

2B: C. Figgins (31), T. Hunter (15)
RBI: T. Hunter 2 (49), E. Aybar (17), M. Izturis (23)
HBP: V. Guerrero
GIDP: J. Rivera, K. Morales

Fielding:

E: M. Izturis 3 (8)

Base Running:

CS: C. Figgins (9)

Pitching:

Lackey(L, 7-10) | 6.0IP | 7H | 5R | 5ER | 2SO | 4.27 ERA |
Oliver | 3.0IP | 2.27 ERA |

Player of the Game:


J. Willingham

1 for 4 - Double, 3 RBI

Next Game:
July 29th, 2009

(61-40)@(46-55)

[Vinsane]

Stupid Monkey!


The Rally Monkey was in full effect for the Angels.

AP - Los Angeles, CA - In the final game of the series the Indians were looking to "Escape from L.A." with a series sweep. What the Indians did do was get victimized by a little monkey holding a sign. "The Rally Monkey" a fan favorite of the Angels put up his sign while the Angels put up runs on Jensen Lewis who blew the game for the Indians in his only inning of work in the bottom of the eighth. Before that it was a 3-2 Indians lead and all Jensen had to do was get them to the ninth so that closer Kerry Wood would do his thing.

The Indians scored their runs on mainly sac flys. The Tribe were able to get runners in scoring position but unable to get them across the plate. It seems that this is a key factor when the Indians lose these close games. Manager Eric Wedge was non too pleased with the outcome but looks forward to the Detroit Tigers three game series to get a comeback from this dissapointing loss and hopefully get a little bit of breathing room in the stands. With sixty games left it's time to start watching the scoreboards a little closer and know where your team is come playoff time.

"Right now, we're leading the Central. Believe me, we feel the pressure of holding this lead coming into the final two months of the regular season. We're ready to defend the lead against the AL Central, and if we should fall hopefully pray that the Yankees and Rays knock each other around and we can slip in. Should be a great couple months of baseball ahead." commented Wedge.

Lineup:

CF Sizemore 2-5 |
2B Cabrera 1-5 | 1K
RF Francisco 2-3 |
C Martinez 2-4 | 1K
DH Shoppach 2-4 |
LF Willingham 0-2 |
1B Carroll 1-3 |
PH Johnson 0-1 |
3B DeRosa 2-4 |
SS Peralta 0-4 |

Batting:

2B: K. Shoppach (4), J. Carroll (10)
3B: A. Cabrera (5)
RBI: B. Francisco (52), J. Carroll (24), J. Willingham (53)
SF: B. Francisco, J. Willingham

Pitching:

Lee | 7.0IP | 6H | 2R | 2ER | 6SO | 4.40 ERA |
Lewis (L, 2-3) | 1.0IP | 5H | 3R | 3ER | 2SO | 7.08 ERA |



Lineup:

3B Figgins 1-4 | 2K
2B Kendrick 1-4 |
CF Hunter 2-4 |
LF Rivera 1-4 | 1K
DH Abreu 2-4 | 1K
RF Matthews Jr. 1-4 | 1K
SS Aybar 2-4 | 1K
1B Quinlan 1-4 | 1K
C Mathis 0-3 | 1K

Batting:

2B: T. Hunter (16), E. Aybar (7), R. Quinlan (10)
3B: C. Figgins (8), H. Kendrick (3)
RBI: H. Kendrick (38), T. Hunter (50), B. Abreu (52), E. Aybar (18), R. Quinlan (19)

Fielding:

E: E. Aybar (12)

Pitching:

Escobar | 7.1IP | 9H | 3R | 3ER | 4.18 ERA |
Speier (W, 4-1) | 0.2IP | 1H | 1BB | 1SO | 2.74 ERA |
Fuentes (S, 26) | 1.0IP | 2H | 1SO | 0.36 ERA |

Player of the Game:


B. Fuentes

1.0 Innings 2 Hits 1 Strikeout

Next Game:
July 31st, 2009

(56-44)@(61-41)

[Vinsane]

Series Preview:

(56-44)@ (61-41)

Cleveland lead the Season Series 6-3.

Divsion Standings:

Probable Starters:

Game 1:

J. Verlander (6-6, 4.76 ERA)|J. Wesbtrook (8-1, 3.45 ERA)

Game 2:

A. Galarraga (9-6, 3.38 ERA)|A. Laffey (8-7, 3.67 ERA)

Game 3:

J. Bonderman (5-6, 3.49 ERA)|Z. Jackson (1-1, 4.80 ERA)


Key Bank's "Keys to Succes"

1.) Good Pitching - When the Tribe have beaten the Tigers it's come on the shoulders of the rotation. The starting pitchers will need to be in top form if the Indians are going to walk away with a series victory.

2.) Defense - The Tribe need to play stellar defense a top of getting good starts from their rotation. The Tigers pounce on mistakes and the Indians can't afford a series loss or it puts even more pressure on them as the Twins and Chi Sox look to spoil their AL Central lead.

3.) Strong Bullpen - The Bullpen needs to be perfect, setting up Kerry Wood for the save or carrying out the rest of the game to make sure the starters get the victory. If the bullpen is sub par the Tigers will walk away with at least a series victory. The only good spot if the Tribe should lose, the lead in the AL Central will still be in their hands.

[T.Dot]

GL, need to take 2 here

[goDawgs1433]

Carmona 12-2, wow. He's got some nice stuff.

Keep pushing for the playoffs!

[mfbmike]

Go Tigers?

[goDawgs1433]

Lmao.

Go Tribe.

[Vinsane]

lol izturis helped you out

Never seen 3 errors by one team before, and all 3 by one guy? The odds?

:hahaha: @ the monkey

Glad I could make you lol.

GL, need to take 2 here

I'm hoping for a series victory!

Carmona 12-2, wow. He's got some nice stuff.

Keep pushing for the playoffs!

Playoff run is going to be interesting, 30 games in the Central over the finals 60 games. Need to play good against them and hold the lead.

Go Tigers?

Lmao.

Go Tribe.

Damn straight!

[LC AAU]

102 games done? Nice job man. Still following.

[Vinsane]

102 games done? Nice job man. Still following.

Glad to still have you aboard, Detroit series will be up, I'm playing it now.

[Woy]

First time I've checked in on this, very nice work here Vinsane.

I'm following.