It's Tribe Time | A Cleveland Indians Franchise

[Vinsane]

Nevermind, Floyd's name was black, but the others were yellow. I see that you changed it now. ;)

Yeah, I try to get the teams stat lines to mimic their colors. Just hit post before I changed colors, and the Tigers pitchers were still there.

[Wildcard]

Yeah, I try to get the teams stat lines to mimic their colors. Just hit post before I changed colors, and the Tigers pitchers were still there.

I really like some of the layouts you use. The way your previews look, and stuff.

I have been changing mine around a lot so far, but I think I finally found a way I'm going to keep it.

Also just dropping by to let you know that I have been following, but posting in it for the first time.

[Vinsane]

Chicago Brings Their Whooping Sticks.


Fans could take some joy home, it was bobble head night.

AP - Cleveland, OH - The Series didn't start off too well for the Indians. As they got whooped by the White Sox, 9-4. It was looking good early as the Indians took a quick 3-0 lead. Even after Aaron Laffey loaded the bases. In five and a third innings of work Laffey gave up five runs. "A run an inning isn't getting it done." Said Laffey. "I tried to keep composer, tried to get us the win tonight. Didn't get it done, plain and simple." Laffey along with Reyes and Pavano were told earlier this month that they need to start delivering or other Indians were going to get a shot.

"Aaron was looking good after he got out of that jam in the first. Then the wheels fell off." Said Eric Wedge. "If he just didn't give up those long balls we were sitting pretty. All he had to do was leave with the game 3-2, instead he left with a 5-3 loss." Laffey will be given another chance, this last one against the defending AL Champs, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

For Chicago it was the long ball that made the difference. Scoring eight of their nine runs on home run balls. The Indians were unable to get the ball to go yard as their four runs came off of base hits. The Tribe will try to salvage this series in the next two games. Cleveland is facing a huge deficit now as the White Sox have over taken them in the AL Central and threaten to widen the gap.

Lineup:



CF Owens 0-5 | 1K
DH Thome 1-4 | 2K
SS Ramirez 3-5 |
LF Quentin 1-4 | 1K
C Pierzynski 1-5 | 2K
3B Fields 2-4 | 1K
1B Betemet 2-4 |
RF Wise 1-4 | 2K
2B Getz 2-4 |

Batting:

2B: A. Ramirez 2 (8), C. Quentin (6), C. Getz (3), W. Betemit (9), D. Wise (3)
3B: J. Fields (1)
HR: A. Ramirez (4), A. Pierzynski (3), J. Fields (5), C. Getz (3)
RBI: A. Ramirez 2 (20), A. Pierzynski (12), J. Fields (12), C. Getz 3 (10), W. Betemit (17)
HBP: C. Quentin
GIDP: C. Getz

Fielding:

E: A. Ramirez (5)

Pitching:

Floyd (W, 3-1) | 5.0IP | 9H | 4R | 4ER | 2SO | 4.29 ERA |
Linebrink (H, 1) | 3.0IP | 3H | 2SO | 3.22 ERA |
Thornton | 1.0IP | 1SO | 2.66 ERA |



Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: G. Sizemore (7)
RBI: J. Carroll 2 (8)
GIDP: A. Cabrera, J. Peralta, D. Dellucci 2

Pitching:

Laffey (W, 2-3) | 5.1IP | 7H | 5R | 5ER | 1BB | 4SO | 4.79 ERA |
Perez | 1.2IP | 5H | 4R | 4ER | 2SO | 5.03 ERA |
Smith | 2.0IP | 1H | 3SO | 2.60 ERA |

Player of the Game:


A. Ramirez

3 for 5 - HR, 2 Doubles

Next Game:

(20-13) @ (17-16)

[Vinsane]

I really like some of the layouts you use. The way your previews look, and stuff.

I have been changing mine around a lot so far, but I think I finally found a way I'm going to keep it.

Also just dropping by to let you know that I have been following, but posting in it for the first time.

I gotta credit Mike for the game layout, I seen his and its clean so I bit off of it. As far as the preview goes, eh, I'm still learning a lot about Photoshop, so for my project today while I'm learning how to use it will be to come up with some graphics for this. I know some have been following and not posting. I keep an eye on the views, thanks for your input!

I say you win the first two, and lose the third.

Wish it were so, next game coming up.

Rough loss dude.... Atleast they got that bobblehead!

No doubt, everyone loves freebies. I just figured out how to do promotions, there will be more free stuff to give out.

lol i like the bobblehead thing

That thing your referring to is Slider, I think he's an ant eater. Chief Wahoo is too racist for some people.

[Vinsane]

And We're Back To .500 Ball.


Indians still can't get it done against Chicago.

AP - Cleveland, OH - To be so close to victory, and still lose is hard. Especially for the Cleveland Indians. The Indians have been up and down all season, there highlight thus far has been an eight game winning streak. Since then they've floundered, winning some, losing more. And now they're back at .500 ball for the first time since April. Eric Wedge commented on the game today. "We get runners on, we can't get them home. Chicago plays great defense and they're killing us out there, by a lot or a little. We're still getting out-played."

"We know where .500 ball gets us." Said a frustrated Grady Sizemore. "It has us sitting at home in October. I don't want to be sitting at home, I know the fans don't want to watch the Whitesox or the Tigers, or any other AL Team in there besides us. We gotta get our (explicit) together and get some wins." The Indians have been trailing the hot Detroit Tigers all season. And now the White Sox who started in the cellar have creeped up and continue to separate themselves from Cleveland. At this rate, it will be a three horse race, and our horse only has three legs.

"For me, there are four parts to a season." Said Victor Martinez. "If we're playing .500 ball in the first quarter, we've got to have a quarter where we play .700 ball just to be able to contend, you feel me?" Yes Victor we feel you, but how do we get back on the winning track? "We're trying to figure it out, all I can do is go out there, catch, and hit the ball. The head-honcho guys, go ask them." So we did and this is what Mark Shapiro had to say.

"Laffey, Reyes, Pavano, they know that the leash is short and they deliver, now we're finding out that even with their solid starts we're still losing. We're in a slump, just like we were on the rise, now we're leveled out again. We've got a series against Tampa Bay next, after that a day off. We're still in good position, the season is still very young. We'll see what happens next week and the remainder of this month." One thing is for certain. The Indians are losing ground in the wild card race, and going against an AL East opponent looking for wins? Not the best way to climb back up.

Lineup:



CF Owens 0-4 |
C Pierzynski 1-4 |
SS Ramirez 2-4 |
LF Quentin 1-3 | 1K
1B Thome 2-4 | 1K
3B Betemet 0-4 | 2K
RF Wise 2-4 | 1K
2B Getz 0-4 | 1K
DH Anderson 0-3 | 3K

Batting:

2B: A. Ramirez (9), J. Thome (3)
HR: J. Thome (6)
RBI: J. Thome 2 (13), W. Betemit (1B)
GIDP: J. Thome

Fielding:

E: A. Ramirez (6)

Base Running:

DB: D. Wise 2 (4)

Pitching:

Carrasco (W, 1-0) | 9.0IP | 9H | 1R | 1ER | 2SO | 1.00 ERA |



Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: J. Peralta (3)
RBI: G. Sizemore (16)
GIDP: J. Peralta, J. Carroll

Pitching:

Reyes (L, 2-4) | 7.0IP | 7H | 3R | 3ER | 2BB | 5SO | 5.18 ERA |
Chulk | 2.0IP | 1H | 1R | 1ER | 4SO | 1.80 ERA |

Player of the Game:


J. Thome

2 for 4 - HR, Double

Next Game:

(21-13) @ (17-17)

[Vinsane]

Tribe Avoid The Sweep.


Ben Fransisco gets a home run, the hard way!

AP - Cleveland, OH - "Maybe, they'll let me keep my job?" Said one Carl Pavano after his stellar outing against the Chicago White Sox. Pavano who was listed as one of the pitchers is question got his first of two more starts under his belt and did so in a big way. Going six innings and giving up only three hits as the Indians cruised to a 5-0 win. "It felt good." Said Pavano. "I've made so many appearances this year and to finally get another win in the books means a lot. I have to thank Betancourt the dude came in and delivered out of the bullpen."

Which is true, Betancourt who had blown a couple games this season looked great striking out five in only three innings of work. He came on in a save situation and secured his first save of the year. "I don't mind" Said Kerry Wood. "When I don't have to go out there, that's a good thing. The less a closer is out there the better, it means, if your winning there's enough of a lead to not merit you to the mound, I'm fine with that." This team comradely is what the Indians need to get back on the winning track.

It wasn't all about pitching though, Ben Francisco delivered a rare play in the ball park, when Owens the Center Fielder let a ball get underneath his glove and it rolled to the ball. Ben was off to the races coming in well ahead of a throw to the plate. Scoring the first Inside the Park, Home Run, this season. Ben had this to say after the game. "Triple, Triple, I heard the first base coach calling out, and when you round second and see the third base coach telling you to run home, you throw on the jets and pray that you don't get into a collision situation at the plate." Ryan Garko who batted behind Francisco recalled the play. "Ben is a flash, the guy can run".

The Indians wrap up their home trip on a sour note, going 3-3 in six games, they were looking for better results. They travel to Tampa to get a four game series in beore enjoying a much needed day off. The Indians are rumored to make moves on or around that Monday following the series. Stay tuned to find out what happens and if there will be a shake-up in Cleveland.

Lineup:



CF Owens 2-4 |
C Pierzynski 0-4 | 2K
SS Ramirez 0-3 |
LF Quentin 0-3 | 2K
1B Thome 2-3 | 1K
DH Fields 0-3 | 1K
3B Betemet 0-3 | 2K
2B Getz 0-3 | 3K
RF Anderson 0-3 |

Batting:

GIDP: A. Pierzynski, W. Betemit

Pitching:

Contreras (L, 1-1) | 6.0IP | 8H | 3R | 3ER | 2SO | 2.77 ERA |
Thornton | 2.0IP | 3H | 2R | 2ER | 1SO | 3.22 ERA |



Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: G. Sizemore (8), R. Garko (5)
HR: B. Francisco (2)
RBI: G. Sizemore 2 (18), J. Peralta (21), B. Francisco (10), D. Dellucci (4)
GIDP: T. Hafner, M. DeRosa

Pitching:

Pavano (W, 2-1) | 6.0IP | 3H | 6SO | 4.66 ERA |
Betancourt (S, 1) | 3.0IP | 1H | 5SO | 4.86 ERA |

Player of the Game:


C. Pavano

6.0 Innings 3 Hits 6 Strikeouts

Next Game:

(18-17) @ (17-18)

[Vinsane]

nice shutout man

Nerve racking is what it was.

I ain't even .500, nice three inning save.

Yeah, Betancourt and Perez have been decent, I'm impressed with Chulk as well, just need to get Smith and Meloan to get their stuff together and my bullpen might be all right.

[Vinsane]

Series Preview:

(18-17) @ (17-18)

The Season Series is tied 0-0.

Probable Starters:

Game 1:

C.Lee (3-1, 3.86 ERA)|M. Garza (4-2, 3.27 ERA)

Game 2:

F. Carmona (4-1, 2.42 ERA) |S. Kazmir (1-0, 3.82 ERA)

Game 3:

A. Laffey (2-3, 4.79 ERA)|D. Price (2-3, 4.58 ERA)

Game 4:

A. Reyes (2-4, 5.18 ERA)|J. Shields (4-2, 2.64 ERA)


Key Bank's "Keys to Succes"

1.) Good Pitching - A reaccuring theme for the Tribe, who have struggled in the later half of their rotation. This is a "last chance" for guys like Anthoney Reyes and Aaron Laffey. There have been promises of roster moves following this series, these guys currently are on the chop block. They need to show management that they're big league material.

2.) Strong Finish - The Indians have struggled in the first half of the month. Same thing happened in April. The Indians then went on to win 8 straight after a day off, it might be a tad foolish to think they'd do it again after their day off this upcoming Monday. However, one can hope. Winning two or more games in Tampa Bay is crucial for their second half of the May compaign to be succesful.

3.) Don't Scoreboard Watch - Teams tend to do this late in the season. The Indians tend to do it all year round. Especially now that the White Sox have climbed up and are challenging for the Central crown. The Indians need to focus on their game and deliver wins heading into the break. You can read the paper on Monday.

[Vinsane]

Lee, Indians, Get The Win.


Attendance problems are a thing of the past.

AP - Tampa Bay, FL - The Indians impressed, to say the least. Against the AL Champs of a year ago, Cliff Lee delivered a stellar performance against Matt Garza. Both teams got a number of hits, but in a low scoring affair like this one, it's the pitching crews that can take credit for the win. Lee, coming off a sub par start in his last outing had something to prove, and prove he did. The Indians who have struggled lately were glad to take game one, of this four game series.

Grady Sizemore, who sat the bench with fatigued issues commented on the game he watched from the bench. "The guys did great, I got some rest, AC got some rest, and Jhonny was there with us too. Eric does a good job of keeping us healthy and this is why, when we sit, we can still win ball games." Ben Francisco who a day ago scored an inside the park home run, scored on another rare play, the squeeze.

"We had runners on first, and third, one out." Said Eric Wedge. "We've been prone to hit the double play ball all season so I thought, why not try a squeeze?" When asked what he thought of the play afterwards, and the call. "I don't get paid to just sit in the dugout, turns out, it worked out for us. I won't take credit for the run though. That's why the guys have the stat sheet, they're the ones that pulled it off."

Game two of this series will feature Fausto Carmona going after his fifth win of the season.

Lineup:



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

Batting:

2B: V. Martinez (7), T. Hafner (8), D. Dellucci (3)
RBI: T. Hafner 2 (19), J. Carroll (9)
SAC: J. Carroll
GIDP: R. Garko, D. Dellucci

Pitching:

Lee (W, 4-1) | 6.0IP | 8H | 2R | 2ER | 5SO | 3.75 ERA |
Smith (H, 2) | 2.0IP | 2H | 1SO | 2.33 ERA |
Wood (S, 13) | 1.0IP | 1H | 2.35 ERA |



Lineup:

DH Crawford 4-4 |
CF Upton 0-4 | 1K
3B Longoria 1-4 |
1B Pena 1-4 | 2K
LF Burrell 3-4 |
C Navarro 0-4 | 1K
2B Iwamura 0-3 | `1
RF Kapler 0-3 |
SS Bartlett 2-3 | 1K

Batting:

2B: C. Crawford (8), C. Pena (7)
RBI: P. Burrell 2 (29)
GIDP: B. Upton 2, D. Navarro

Fielding:

E: J. Bartlett (7)

Base Running:

CS: C. Crawford (2), J. Bartlett (1)

Pitching:

Garza (L, 4-3) | 5.0IP | 8H | 5R | 5ER | 5SO | 3.88 ERA |
Balfour | 3.0IP | 4H | 2SO | 3.26 ERA |
Shouse | 1.0IP | 1H | 3.24 ERA |

Player of the Game:


C. Lee

6.0 Innings 8 Hits 5 Strikeouts

Next Game:

(19-17) @ (17-19)

[Vinsane]

Indians Flex A Litte AL Muscle.


Grady Sizemore hits only his fourth homer of the season.

AP - Baseball City, FL - The series switched gears from Tropicana Field, to Baseball City. The results however, were the same. For the Indians they were actually better as they got a convincing 9-4 win over the 2008 American League Champions. What does it mean to beat the American League Champions? We asked a couple members of the Indians to answer that question.

"In the grand scheme of things, it means nothing." Said Eric Wedge. "This is May baseball, not August, September. We're winning important games, cause it's always important to beat teams like this. However, there still is a lot of baseball to play." We looked to players to answer the question. "It helps us gauge a match-up. Nothing more." Said Grady Sizemore. "We see how we stack up against them in a season series, and you build off of that, Eric was right. It means nothing unless we're playing August/September baseball."

So is it too soon to start crowning the Indians? "Of course it is." Said one Travis Hafner. "You don't beat the former champs and call yourself the champs... Unless it's in October. Three wins in a row is nothing to be excited about. We're getting some of those games back we dropped early on. Be hopeful all you want. I know we're not done yet." So the skeptisism isn't welcomed? "Oh it is." replied Victor Martinez. "We won an important couple of games the last two nights. And we're glad people are buzzing about the performance. Just don't go ordering October tickets, just yet."

Lineup:



RF Choo 3-5 |
2B Cabrera 2-5 |
CF Sizemore 1-4 | 1K
DH Hafner 2-5 | 1K
1B Garko 2-4 |
3B Carroll 1-4 |
C Martinez 1-4 |
SS Peralta 1-4 |
LF Dellucci 2-4 |

Batting:

2B: T. Hafner (9), R. Garko (6), J. Pealta (4), S. Choo (7)
HR: G. Sizemore (4), D. Dellucci (1)
RBI: G. Sizemore 2 (20), A. Cabrera (12), V. Martinez (13), T. Hafner (20), J. Peralta 2 (23), D. Dellucci 2 (6)
SAC: G. Sizemore
GIDP: A. Cabrera, J. Peralta

Fielding:

E. J. Carroll (3)

Pitching:

Carmona (W, 5-1) | 7.0IP | 6H | 4R | 3ER | 2BB | 5SO | 2.60 ERA |
Lewis | 2.0IP | 1H | 1SO | 8.49 ERA |



Lineup:

DH Crawford 1-5 | 2K
CF Upton 2-3 |
3B Longoria 0-3 |
1B Pena 1-4 | 2K
LF Burrell 0-4 |
C Navarro 0-4 | 2K
2B Iwamura 0-4 |
RF Kapler 0-4 |
SS Zobrist 3-4 |

Batting:

2B: B. Zobrist (2)
3B: B. Upton (4)
HR: B. Zobrist (1)
RBI: B. Upton 2 (14), C. Pena (14), B. Zobrist (5)

Fielding:

E: B. Zobrist (2)

Base Running:

SB: B. Upton

Pitching:

Kazmir (L, 1-1) | 5.0IP | 9H | 5R | 5ER | 2SO | 4.43 ERA |
Isringhausen | 1.1IP | 3H | 3R | 2ER | 3.26 ERA |
Nelson | 2.2IP | 3H | 1R | 1ER | 7.36 ERA |

Player of the Game:


D. Dellucci

2 for 4 - HR, 2 RBI

Next Game:

(20-17) @ (17-20)

[Vinsane]

Damn, you destroyed them.

I'm surprised myself, I get the first win and I'm thinking Yeah, Cliff was on the mound, good chances for Fausto to get a win. Then that comes up and I'm thinking either I'm getting better, or the Rays are all hype. The test will be the final two games, Laffey and Reyes on the mound.

[Vinsane]

Could They Sweep?


Aaron Laffey looked much better in his outing against the Rays, good enough to keep his job though?

AP - Baseball City, FL - This time the Indians picked up their fourth win in a row, behind the arm of Aaron Laffey. As they continue to hit the ball well in Florida, the Indians took it to the defending AL Champions to score their third win against the club in as many days. In the process Laffey picked up his third win of the season and Kerry Wood picked up his fourteenth save on the year.

"We've been seeing the ball a lot better." Said Travis Hafner. "When that happens you get more base hits, get more guys to the plate. Scoring on a third of your hits isn't getting the job done completely, it was just enough though today to get the win, that's all that matters."

Cleveland looks to sweep the Rays tomorrow night, ending their four game trip heading into the day off. Which the question has been circling the club for the past week. What will happen to the pitching rotation. We asked resident Indians expert Tom Hamilton about the situation. "When you got guys that go on the mound and win, it's easy. Then you got guys like Reyes, and Pavano that go out there and deliver, but often times, its not enough." Hamilton went on. "The trick is, you 'know' when a guy needs to be brought down. I look at the three in question and I think the only one that could benefit from a drop to triple A is Reyes. Tonight Laffey showed he can pitch well and get the win, as long as he has the run support."

Speaking of run support, we asked "The Voice of the Indians" his opinion on how the Indians are getting it done, being ranked 30th in the league in home runs. "Sometimes...chicks gotta dig the small ball too." He continued. "You can score off of those towering 400 foot shots, but really a 20 foot looper can score a run. As long as your getting W's, you shouldn't be complaining." The Indians will try to get their fourth win off of this team when the series concludes tomorrow.

Lineup:



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

Batting:

2B: V. Martinez (8), J. Carroll (2)
RBI: G. Sizemore (21), J. Peralta (24), M. DeRosa (16), J. Carroll 2 (11)
SAC: J. Peralta
GIDP: V. Martinez

Base Running:

CS: B. Francisco (4), J. Carroll (1)

Pitching:

Laffey (W, 3-3) | 5.0IP | 6H | 2R | 2ER | 4SO | 4.66 ERA |
Meloan(H, 1) | 3.0IP | 3H | 1.74 ERA |
Wood (S, 14) | 1.0IP | 1SO | 2.20 ERA |



Lineup:

DH Crawford 2-4 |
CF Upton 2-4 |
3B Longoria 1-4 | 1K
1B Pena 0-4 | 1K
LF Burrell 1-4 |
C Navarro 2-4 |
2B Iwamura 1-4 | 1K
RF Kapler 0-3 | 1K
SS Bartlett 0-3 | 1K

Batting:
2B: B. Upton (10)
3B: E. Longoria (2)
RBI: B. Upton (15), C. Pena (15)

Fielding:

E: D. Navarro (1)
PB: D. Navarro (1)

Pitching:

Price (L, 2-4) | 5.0IP | 11H | 5R | 4ER | 2SO | 4.87 ERA |
Balfour | 3.0IP | 3H | 2.82 ERA |
Isringhausen | 1.0IP | 1H | 3.94 ERA |

Player of the Game:


J. Carroll

4 for 4 - Double, 2 RBI

Next Game:

(21-17) @ (17-21)

[Vinsane]

Note: "The Saturday Mill" was a plan of mine, to keep up to date on all the dealings in the MLB. Unfortunately I don't have the time or motivation to keep up with everything going on in Major League Baseball. I'll keep the focus on my team and the moves I make, if there is some big trade I'll let you guys know about it.

[Vinsane]

Indians Lose Heart Breaker 3-1.


Needing this win, Anthony Reyes could be moved to the minors.

AP - Baseball City, FL - The Indians looked to wrap-up the weekend series and take a five game winning streak on the road to Kansas City. What they ended up doing is losing the game and snapping their win streak at four. Left to pick up the pieces against their AL Central opponent. A three game series that starts on Tuesday.

A big story line to this game was the continuance of Anthony Reyes in the starting rotation. No one has struggled more than the Indians fourth man and on Monday he may face the reality of being a minor league pitcher again. "I think I pitched well, and I think my job isn't in jeopardy." Said Reyes. The stat lines seem to say otherwise it was announced during the game that there will be a meeting between the three pitchers in question, Aaron Laffey, and Carl Pavano will join the discussion along with Reyes as to their futures with this organization.

"The big outlining story in all of this, is our division standing." Said Eric Wedge. "We're trying to a catch a team on fire, and we start to get a little momentum, more often than not these three lose one of those games and we struggle. I'm not saying we need to win every game, but here tonight, we had a chance to sweep and we miss out by two runs." Wedge continued. "When your chasing fire, you've got to be on fire yourself. We're sizzling right now, but we're not ablaze, I want us to be ablaze."

The Indians who struggled this time last month caught a hold of their longest winning streak of the season, eight games. If this is any indication of what the Tribe can do after a day off then things for the Indians are looking up. Of course only time will tell as they head to Kansas City for a three game trip and then "Home" to face the Cincinnati Reds, in Cincinnati.

Lineup:

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

Batting:

RBI: G. Sizemore (22)
SF: G. Sizemore

Pitching:

Reyes (L, 2-5) | 6.0IP | 7H | 2R | 2ER | 4SO | 4.91 ERA |
Perez | 2.0IP | 1H | 1R | 1ER | 2SO | 4.98 ERA |



Lineup:

DH Crawford 2-4 |
CF Upton 1-4 | 2K
3B Longoria 1-4 |
1B Pena 1-4 | 1K
LF Burrell 2-3 | 1K
2B Iwamura 0-3 |
RF Gross 1-3 | 1K
SS Bartlett 0-3 |
C Riggans 0-3 | 1K

Batting:

HR: E. Longoria (7), G. Gross (2)
RBI: E. Longoria 2 (23), G. Gross (8)
GIDP: A. Iwamura

Base Running:

SB: C. Crawford (13)

Pitching:

Shields (W, 5-2) | 6.1IP | 5H | 1R | 1ER | 4SO | 2.49 ERA |
Shouse (H, 7) | 1.0IP | 2SO | 3.12 ERA |
Howell (H, 3) | 0.2IP | 5.13 ERA |
Percival (S, 11) | 1.0IP | 4.76 ERA |

Player of the Game:


J. Shields

6.1 Innings 5 Hits 4 Strikeouts

Next Game:
May 19th, 2009

(21-18) @ (18-20)

[Vinsane]

Welcome Back, Jake Westbrook.


Jake Westbrook will join the club, and debut against Inter-league rival Cincinnati.

AP - Kansas City, MO - The Cleveland Indians announced this afternoon that there will be a rotation change, top to bottom. Weeks ago it was first mentioned by the management division of the Indians that a change needed to be made. Three pitchers, Anthony Reyes, Aaron Laffey, and Carl Pavano's jobs were in question. In the past two weeks the Indians have gauged each of these pitchers to decide weather or not they would remain with the team or be sent down for another prospect to rise.

After a meeting Monday, GM Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge met with the entire pitching staff once they reached Kansas City to make the decision. After a couple of hours Eric Wedge exited the meeting with a task, to announce the new rotation by 4PM that day. Wedge went to his hotel room and only an hour later returned with the announcement to the entire staff.

"The shake-up was necessary" Said Cliff Lee. "Some of us produced, others struggled. When you shake things up sometimes, it breaths life into guys. It lets the guys in AAA, and AA, know that they have a chance to make this squad." Cliff Lee continued, "I feel the competitive edge after what was released, I know what I have to do to get better." We asked Eric Wedge his thoughts on the move. "Something needed to be done, the next couple weeks we can make a push to re-obtain the Wildcard lead, and make a move on Detroit we need the best guys on the mound to do that."

The Indians new rotation looks like this.

F. Carmona (5-1, 2.60 ERA)


C. Lee (4-1, 3.75 ERA)


C. Pavano (2-1, 4.66 ERA)


J. Westbrook (0-0, 0.00 ERA)


A. Laffey (3-3, 4.66 ERA)

This rotation will be effective immediately.

Anthony Reyes was dropped to AAA Columbus, Anthony struggled early and often during his MLB campaign and was the only pitcher out of the three mentioned that got the ax on Monday. Aaron Laffey was given the fifth spot due to his strong outing against the Devil Rays, he has been told however, that he is on the verge of being dismissed from the team should any struggles to provide decent starts continues.

The Indians also made moves to their minor league rosters. Oren Hitchcock of AAA Columbus was moved down (2-5, 4.84 ERA) In favor of Chris Jahnikow who has provided an excellent start in AA Akron. (6-1, 0.84 ERA). Janikow's progress has been impressive to say the least. He will be gauged in AAA ball to see monitor his progression, should he answer the call you could see him this summer in the Indians rotation, or bullpen.

With this shake up the Indians have their next six games on the road, a three game series in Kansas City to conclude on Thursday, and a weekend series with Interleague Rival, The Cincinnati Reds. After that they will go home to host the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in a four game series, and close out the month of May with a four game series against the New York Yankees.