It's Tribe Time | A Cleveland Indians Franchise

[Vinsane]

Late Inning Heroics Take The Game Into Extras.


Peralta's stick gets a little shorter.

AP - Detroit, MI - This is turning out to be the rivalry everyone expected to be, and for the Tribe and the Tigers, that's a good thing. The Indians continue to hit the ball well, as to the Tigers. The Bullpen continues to struggle for both clubs, when facing one another I guess that's a good thing. It's starting too look like these two clubs could be going at it for the whole season, for baseball. That's not a bad thing.

The day started off slow, Pavano on the mound for the Tribe, Jackson for the Tigers. It was a 2-1 affair up until the sixth inning when the Indians scored three runs on extra base hits, the Tigers could only answer back with a single run of their own, a 440 feet homer off the bat of Thames (Really, that ball flew. Almost out of the ball park in left.) . When the game was turned over to the Bullpen for the Tribe things were looking all right until Jansen Lewis came out. Lewis, who was a victim in the first game of this series wanted a little payback what he got was a 3 run show from Carlos Guillen. That tied the game at five, and then it turned into one of the most exciting games so far this season.

Each club would get runners on, and the other club's defense would shut them down. At one point runners were on first and third for the Tigers, when a base hit almost got through the glove of Asdrubal Cabrera, he was able to recover and with the help from Johnny Peralta turn the double that put the game further into extra innings, that was in the 11th. The game ultimately would be won in the 14th inning when the Tribe put a runner on in the form of Asdrubal Cabrera.

Once Cabrera was on, Choo would move him into scoring position with a sac bunt, Martinez would hit a shot to Center that moved Cabrera to third, and then Sizemore would deliver a base hit to left that advanced Cabrera home. Hafner would add an insurance run getting a double and scoring Sizemore. Wood wold appear on the mound in the bottom of the 14th and put the Tigers away for his 11th save on the season. The Indians take the season series lead 2-1. These teams will meet again later this week in Cleveland. Next up for the Tribe is a pair of two game series against Toronto, and the Boston Red Sox.

Lineup:

RF Choo 2-5 | 1K
C Martinez 2-7 |
CF Sizemore 4-7 | 2K
DH Hafner 3-7 | 1K
SS Peralta 3-7 |
3B DeRosa 1-6 |
LF Francisco 3-6 | 1K
1B Garko 0-6 |
2B Cabrera 3-6 | 1K

Batting:

2B: G. Sizemore (5), A. Cabrera (3), T. Hafner (5), M. DeRosa (10), S. Choo (6)
RBI: G. Sizemore 2 (13), T. Hafner (15), M. DeRosa 2 (15), B. Francisco 2 (7)
SAC: S. Choo 2
GIDP: T. Hafner, M. DeRosa

Base Running:

CS: G. Sizemore (5)

Pitching:

Pavano | 5.0IP | 6H | 2R | 2ER | 1BB | 6SO | 6.04 ERA |
Perez (H, 4) | 2.1IP | 2SO | 3.38 ERA |
Lewis (BS, 2) | 1.2IP | 3H | 3R | 3ER | 1SO | 9.53 ERA |
Meloan (W, 2-0) | 4.0IP | 5H | 2BB | 3SO | 1.65 ERA |
Wood (S, 11) | 2.77 ERA |



Lineup:

CF Granderson 1-6 | 3K
RF Ordonez 2-7 |
1B Cabrera 2-6 | 1K
DH Thames 2-6 | 2K
LF Guillen 2-6 |
2B Polanco 2-5 |
C Laird 1-6 | 2K
3B Inge 1-3 | 2k
PH Thomas 0-1 |
3B Sheffield 0-1 |
SS Everett 0-3 |
PH-SS Santiago 1-3 |

Batting:

2B: P. Polanco (7), M. Cabrera (8), B. Inge (1)
3B: M. Cabrera (1)
HR. C. Guillen (5), Thames (8)
RBI: M. Ordonez (12), C. Guillen 3 (16), M. Thames (16)
SAC: P. Polanco
GIDP: M. Ordonez, G. Sheffield

Pitching:

Jackson | 5.2IP | 9H | 5R | 5ER | 3.15 ERA |
Rodney | 2.1IP | 4H | 3SO | 1.08 ERA |
Seay | 4.2 | 5H | 3SO | 6.35 ERA |
Robertson (L, 4-1) | 1.1IP | 3H | 2R | 2ER | 3.24 ERA |

Player of the Game:


T. Hafner

3 for 7 - Double, RBI.

Next Game:

(15-10) @ (13-14)

[mfbmike]

God damn, the Bats came alive in a big way.

[Vinsane]

Series Preview:

(9-9) @ (13-14)

Toronto leads the season series, 3-0.

Game 1:

C. Lee (3-1, 3.58 ERA) | J. Litsch (1-3, 5.08 ERA)

Game 2:

F. Carmona (3-1, 1.86 ERA)| D. Purcey (0-1, 4.32 ERA)


Key Bank's "Keys to Succes"

1.) Keep Winning - The Indians were able to gain a game on the Tigers, as they continue play they'll need to stay on pace with Detroit if they want to overtake them in the Central.

2.) Scoreboard Watching - Try to avoid it, while playing Toronto. The Indians will be watching what the Tigers are doing as they enter a two game series with the Twins, and White Sox. The Indians need to avoid this and focus on a team they haven't been able to beat.

3.) Solid Pitching - The Indians have the advantage as they have the 1-2 combo up against Toronto, Lee got his only loss from this club, Fausto has yet to face them. It will be interesting to see what happens the second time around.

[Vinsane]

OH NO! Canada.


Ryan Garko's ninth inning homer wasn't enough.

AP - Toronto, CN - The Indians just can't seem to beat the Bluejays. Everything was going so well, up 1-0 with Cliff Lee on the mound. Then a two run shot from Jose Bautista gave the Blue jays the 2-1 lead. The Indians would bounce back and tie it at 2 in the sixth, in the bottom half though Alex Rios would get a double and then later score, giving the lead back to Toronto.

The two teams battled until the ninth when Ryan Garko was able to blast a solo shot to left field and give the Indians a fighting chance. In the ninth the Blue Jays were not able to produce a run and for the second day in the row, the Indians went into extra innings. Ryan Garko had a chance to be the hero in the 11th as well. When he tried to leg out a triple. He was thrown out at the plate though by Vernon Wells' throw from center.

In the bottom of the 11th, Jhonny Peralta would throw the error to advance the runner to second base. It was a single shot by Lance Overbay that pushed the winning run across the plate on a base hit to right. The Indians and Blue Jays meet once more tomorrow night before the Indians travel to Boston for their two game series with the Red Sox.

Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: A. Cabrera (4), T. Hafner (6), R. Garko (4)
HR: R. Garko (2)
RBI: R. Garko (15), J. Peralta (16), B. Francisco (8)
GIDP: T. Hafner

Fielding:

E: J. Peralta (3)

Pitching:

Lee | 6.0IP | 6H | 3R | 3ER | 5SO | 3.72 ERA |
Chulk | 3.0IP | 3H | 4SO | 0.00 ERA |
Smith (L, 1-2) | 1.0IP | 2H | 4SO | 2.77 ERA |



Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: A. Rios (9)
HR: J. Bautista (3)
RBI: V. Wells (29), L. Overbay (9), J. Bautista 2 (8)
GIDP: J. Bautista

Fielding:

E: M. Scutaro (3)

Pitching:

Litsch | 7.0IP | 9H | 2R | 1ER | 3SO | 4.33 ERA |
League (H, 4) | 0.00 ERA |
Seay (BS, 3) | 1.0IP | 2H | 1R | 1ER | 1SO | 8.31 ERA |
Carlson (W, 3-1) | 2.0IP | 2H | 4.50 ERA |

Player of the Game:


J. Bautista

1 for 5 - HR, 2RBI

Next Game:

(15-11) @ (14-14)

[Vinsane]

Jays Do It Again.


Jays get the extra base hits late to win.

AP - Toronto, CN - Toronto does it again, and leaves everyone involved with the Indians scratching their heads. This time it was scoreless heading into the eighth where the Indians were able to push across two runs, one of a single shot by Choo. Then the Jays came out and matched them with two runs of their own.

Rafeal Betancourt who has been one of the better relievers out of the Bullpen decided today would be the day he wouldn't produce. And now the Indians are 0-5 against the Blue Jays on the season. With the loss the Indians head to Boston to play the Red Sox who have been improving on the year. Eric Wedge discussed the game. "These guys [Toronto] have our number, or something. No matter what we do, they beat us." When asked about the looming AL Central games in the near future Wedge had this to say. "It's not good, I mean we gotta win out of our Division to have a shot at leading our Division, we're not getting it done out there." The next series for the Indians is a quick two gamer, in Boston.

Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: V. Martinez (5)
3B: J. Barfield (1)
HR: S. Choo (3)
RBI: G. Sizemore (14), S. Choo (13)
SAC: G. Sizemore
GIDP: S. Choo

Fielding:

E: J. Barfield (2)

Pitching:

Carmona | 6.2IP | 5H | 0R | 0ER | 4SO | 2.21 ERA |
Betancourt (L, 1-1) | 2.0IP | 3H | 3R | 3ER | 3SO | 4.50 ERA |



Lineup:

DH Inglett 3-4 | 1K
LF Lind 1-4 | 1K
RF Rios 0-4 | 1K
CF Bautista 1-4 | 1K
DH Rolen 2-4 | 1K
1B Overbay 0-4 | 1K
C Barajas 2-4 | 1K
2B Hill 0-3 |
SS McDonald 1-2 |
PH-SS Snider 0-1 |

Batting:

2B: J. McDonald (2)
3B: A. Lind (2)
RBI: A. Lind (15), R. Barajas (14), J. Inglett (10)
GIDP: A. Rios, S. Rolen

Fielding:

E: A. Hill (2)

Pitching:

Purcey | 7.1IP | 7H | 2R | 2ER | 7SO | 3.90 ERA |
Carlson (W, 4-1) | 1.2IP | 4.08 ERA |

Player of the Game:


A. Lind

1 for 4 - Triple, RBI

Next Game:

(15-12) @ (14-13)

[Vinsane]

damn they gotcha in the ninth again

I know, things were looking good, I pushed across the two runs and then boom, 3-2 loss.

Can't seem to beat the Blue Jays.

[mfbmike]

give me a break!

jays swept me 4-0 in the season opening series lulz

[Vinsane]

give me a break!

jays swept me 4-0 in the season opening series lulz

I got swept 3-0 at home, 2-0 in Toronto...fuck you Mike.

[Archer]

Just looked through all of this , good shit bro. Planning to follow from now on

[Vinsane]

A Failed Project?


Travis Hafner might be shown the door this season.

AP - Cleveland, OH - As baseball turns it's calender into May. A lot of teams start to determine what are the key pieces to the puzzle? The puzzle being the team, and the goal being to put together a line-up that is worthy of a World Series ring. One such ring that has avoided the city of Cleveland, for the past fifty plus years. No we're not the Cubs, we don't deserve to whine as much as they have. No we're not the Yankees who miss out on rings after spending more money than Bernie Madoff on vacation.

We're the Cleveland Indians, and we've had our shot. Twice. Blown both of them too, so what makes this year any different? Are we contenders? Or are we pretenders? Do we have the pieces of a puzzle that it takes to win a World Series ring? Or do we have just enough puzzle pieces put in place to go make the playoffs? One giant piece to the puzzle who used to fit, is Travis Hafner.

Nicknamed Project Donkey, Hafner was a threat in the Indians line-up. A long ball master, and we all know, chicks dig the long ball. However, recently with injuries to his shoulder Travis has been robbed of his power, rather quickly he declined. And now, pitchers are throwing him meat balls that he used to take 400 feet, and he's barely reaching the warning track. As May ball continues one thing is for certain, now is the meat of the season. Not a lot of time left to put together a roster.

So we begged to asked the question, what if Project Donkey is a failure. By no means is it his fault, but rather the result of an injury in baseball. His value on this team has steadily dropped. He doesn't play the infield anymore, Garko takes care of first base. As Kelly Shoppach begins to return he could take the place of Victor Martinez at the plate and V-Mart becomes our DH. Really, more and more, it's looking like Hafner, is just out of place. He's been doing good things for this team no doubt, but not the things that's needed from a guy in his position.

The Indians need a threat, and the first wave of rumors are circulating in non other than Cleveland. Mark Shapiro and Eric Wedge have not talked about moving Pronk anywhere, or that he's even on the market. It could be very soon though that he becomes available as teams start to assess their position and see what needs to be done in order to get deep into October.

The hunt hasn't started, yet. When it does will Hafner be a member of the pack? Or the lone wolf exiled from the dogs? Only time will tell for Hafner and the Tribe.

[mfbmike]

Hafner seems pretty good from what I've seen of him. Shame he isn't working out for you.

[Vinsane]

Hafner seems pretty good from what I've seen of him. Shame he isn't working out for you.

When he gets a hold of a ball, it bounces off the top of the wall. He rarely goes yard, maybe it's just me and my poor timing. Either way I need a threat and right now Hafner, with the story of declining numbers, and the injury, makes him trade bait.

[Vinsane]

Series Preview:

(15-12) @ (14-13)

Cleveland leads the season series 2-1.

Game 1:

A. Laffey (2-1, 4.45 ERA) | D. Matsuzaka (3-2, 3.60 ERA)

Game 2:

A. Reyes (2-2, 4.71 ERA)| J. Lester (3-1, 5.29 ERA)


Key Bank's "Keys to Succes"

1.) Don't Let The Ballpark Get To You - The Indians had a monumental collapse in 07, one that kept them out of the world series, and that collapse was their failure to wn in Boston. The Indians need to erase doubt and get at least a win here to dispel any doubt..

2.) Avoid The Long Ball - Unable to match teams in home run hitting it's key to keep the ball in the yard going against the Red Sox bats.

3.) Bullpen Play - The Indians need to avoid late inning collapses that robbed them from wins in Toronto. Detroit is the next series coming up and it's key to pick-up wins and not fall further behind the Tigers before their second meeting of the season.

[Vinsane]

Dice-K, Red Sox Get First Of Two.


Aaron Laffey couldn't keep the runs off the board.

AP - Boston, MA - The season series is now tied. The Indians couldn't get anyone on board as Dice-K's stuff turned out to be only good enough for four hits from one of the hottest teams in the league when it came to averages, just a month ago. The Indians now riding a three game losing streak are starting to lose the ground that they gained in the second half of April.

This is not looking good for the Indians who have a tough May schedule. Another game in Boston, and it only gets tougher, the Indians next six will be at home, but against the Tigers and White Sox, followed by a four game series in Tampa Bay. They'll catch a break as they have a three game series in Kansas City. Inter League play makes it's first appearance this season as the Indians and Reds will meet for "The Battle for Ohio". This tough schedule leads up to another series against the Devil Rays and closing out the month with a series against the Yankees.

As the Indians look forward, starting the month 2-4. Eric Wedge commented on the outlook of March. "We can't look ahead, we need to focus and take it one game at a time. It's still early, if we were struggling like this in a month or two, yeah, get worried, hit the red button. There is a lot more baseball to play. Now we've got to right this ship and get on track like we did last month." The Indians will finish this quick two game series against Boston, before moving back home for a six game stand with Division Opponents Detroit, and Chicago waiting.

Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: J. Peralta (1)
3B: A. Cabrera (3)
RBI: J. Carroll (4)
GIDP: J. Carroll, D. Dellucci

Pitching:

Laffey (L, 2-2) | 5.2IP | 6H | 2R | 2ER | 4.25 ERA |
Smith | 2.1IP | 3H | 1R | 1ER | 3SO | 2.93 ERA |



Lineup:

CF Ellsbury 1-4 |
2B Pedroia 1-4 |
LF Bay 3-4 |
1B Ortiz 1-4 |
DH Youkilis 0-4 | 1K
RF Drew 1-3 | 1K
3B Lugo 1-3 |
C Varitek 1-3 | 1K
SS Lowrie 0-3 |

Batting:

2B: D. Pedroia (8), D. Ortiz (4), J. Bay 2 (11), J. Lugo (9)
HR: J. Varitek (2)
RBI: D. Ortiz (10), J. Bay (19), J. Varitek (9)
GIDP: D. Ortiz

Pitching:

Matsuzaka (W, 4-2) | 6.1IP | 4H | 1R | 1ER | 4SO | 3.22 ERA |
Delcarmen (H, 1) | 1.0IP | 1H | 14.14 ERA |
Lopez (H, 6) | 0.2IP | 1SO | 1.84 ERA |
Papelbon (S, 7) | 1.0IP | 1H | 3.38 ERA |

Player of the Game:


D. Matsuzaka

6.1 Innings 4 Hits 4 Strikeouts

Next Game:

(15-13) @ (15-13)

[Vinsane]

Boston Swings The Series In Their Favor.


Reyes gets rocked in the second, Boston Wins.

AP - Boston, MA - Things were looking good for the Indians to start the game. A blast by Victor Martinez that clears the green monster, the Indians go up by 2. After that Boston retook the lead with a five run second inning and never looked back, as the Indians couldn't get back into the game themselves. This leaves another hole starting to show with the Indians. The second half of their rotation not being any good.

Cliff Lee, and Fausto Carmona are the one two punch for the Indians rotation. Both of them sitting at 3-1 on the season. Then it goes to Aaron Laffey (2-2), Anthony Reyes (2-3) and Carl Pavano (1-1). To be fair, Pavano has shown good stuff for the Indians, but he has not had the run support, or if he goes out the winner the bullpen has blown the game before it's all said and done. The Indians need to address these needs, yet Mark Shapiro and Eric Wedge have avoided talking about their decisions with the current rotation.

Eric Wedge had this to say about the blunder that is 3-5. "It's still too early, these guys know that they're on a short leash though." Mark Shapiro has rumored to been talking to the Florida Marlins about acquiring a pitcher from their organization, he however, denies the rumor. "Now's the time that the rumor mill starts turning". Said Shapiro. "We'll see how we do against our division opponents this month, and assess where we are on the 18th before we start making any moves."

The 18th of May is the Indians first off day in the month, and will be a solid point for the team to assess the team as it will gauge how Laffey, Reyes, and Pavano do with two starts a piece to get their seasons looking up. Options for the Indians are abroad as they have a solid farm system that's produced most of their talent. Time will tell what the Indians will have to do with their holes in the line-up. They prepare to take on the AL Central leading Tigers for three games and then the White Sox for three at home.

Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: G. Sizemore (6), T. Hafner (7)
HR: V. Martinez (2)
RBI: V. Martinez 2 (9), T. Hafner (16), J. Carroll (5)
GIDP: A. Cabrera

Fielding:

E. A. Cabrera (2)

Pitching:

Reyes (L, 2-3) | 6.0IP | 10H | 6R | 6ER | 2BB | 5SO | 5.45 ERA |
Perez | 2.0IP | 2H | 1R | 1ER | 1SO | 3.50 ERA |



Lineup:

CF Ellsbury 2-4 |
2B Pedroia 0-4 |
LF Bay 2-4 | 1K
1B Ortiz 0-4 | 4K
DH Youkilis 0-3 | 1K
3B Lowell 2-4 |
RF Drew 3-3 |
SS Lugo 3-4 |
C Bard 0-4 |

Batting:

2B: J. Ellsbury (11), J. Drew 2 (6), J. Bay 2 (13)
RBI: J. Ellsbury (7), J. Drew (16), J. Bay (20), J. Bard (6), J. Lugo 3 (11)

Fielding:

E: J. Lugo (5)

Pitching:

Lester (W, 4-1) | 7.2IP | 9H | 4R | 4ER | 4SO | 5.18 ERA |
Saito (H, 1) | 0.1IP | 2H | 1SO | 0.00 ERA |
Papelbon (S, 8) | 1.0IP | 2H | 3.00 ERA |

Player of the Game:


J. D. Drew

3 for 3 - 2 Doubles, RBI

Next Game:

(21-8) @ (15-14)