It's Tribe Time | A Cleveland Indians Franchise

[Vinsane]

Series Preview:

(21-8) @ (15-14)

Cleveland leads the season series 2-1.

Division Standings:

Probable Starters:

Game 1:

E. Jackson (2-0, 3.15 ERA) | C. Pavano (1-1, 6.04 ERA)

Game 2:

J. Verlander (1-2, 5.76 ERA)| C. Lee (3-1, 3.72 ERA)

Game 3:

A. Galarraga (2-1, 2.63 ERA)|F. Carmona (3-1 2.21 ERA)


Key Bank's "Keys to Succes"

1.) Good Pitching - In the first series the Indians got the win by keeping runs off the board, there only loss came when they got in an offensive shootout. This accompanied by solid defense will get the Indians the victories.

2.) Standings - The Indians have slipped to third and a game out of the Wildcard spot. While this isn't important now, it's key to keep on pace. Getting a series victory here is a must if the Indians want to make a run at the Tigers in first.

3.) Upset Minded - The Tigers are going to want revenge as the first series went 2-1 in favor of the Indians, in Detroit. They want to spoil the Indians home coming this month, and they'll get three chances to do so.

[Vinsane]

Walk-Off Wild One.


V-Mart rounds the bases after a homer, but it was his small ball that would win the game.

AP - Cleveland, OH - Carl Pavano, a day removed from being mentioned as a pitcher who might be on his way down, delivered for the Tribe. Pavano pitched his best game of this season against the division rival Detroit Tigers. In his efforts though he would not get credited with the win. The Bullpen struggles continue. It was a good looking outing as the Indians were up 6-3 heading into the seventh. A collapse by Rafeal Betancourt and the Tigers would push across three to tie the game up at six a piece.

Pitching would not be the story of this game, the bats were alive for both teams. And with a little help the Indians would pull out the win. Early on Victor Martinez got the Tribe going early with a solo shot, Jhonny Peralta would add a homer of his own, fifth of the season. Late in the game after three scoreless innings the Indians would need a favor from the Tigers to complete the win.

Asdrubal Cabrera was up first for the Tribe in the bottom half of the ninth. He hit a shot that was deep enough to cause trouble. Placido Palanco was on the move when he scooped up the ball. He bobbled the throw however, and AC was able to reach first plate on the Error 4. Shin-Soo Choo was up next and would advance AC on a SAC bunt. AC would advance to first with one out.

Victor Martinez was up to bat next. His only hit of the night coming off his homer in the first. This, his fifth appearance at the plate he was able to catch an outside fastball and push it into right field. A small shot that forced Magglio Ordonez in to get it. Ordonez caught up to the ball when AC began to round third. The throw was on target but just late as a tag couldn't be applied. Cabrera reached safely and the Indians could call themselves Tiger Tamers for another night.

Victor was reached after the game. "We've been on a skid lately. Losing four straight, we were up early feeling good. Things started to get out of hand but we were able to come back and win it. Yeah I pushed across a couple runs, but this team as a whole is what got it done tonight!"

Lineup:



CF Granderson1-5 | 2K
RF Ordonez 3-4 |
1B Cabrera 1-4 | 1K
DH Sheffield 0-4 | 1K
LF Guillen 1-4 |
2B Polanco 2-4 | 1K
C Laird 0-4 | 2K
SS Santiago 2-4 |
3B Inge 2-4 |

Batting:

2B: P. Polanco (9), B. Inge (2), R. Santiago (3)
RBI: C. Granderson (12), M. Ordonez 3 (18), G. Sheffield (8), R. Santiago (10)

Fielding:

E. P. Polanco (1), R. Santiago (4)

Base Running:

CS: P. Polanco (1), M. Ordonez (1), C. Guillen (1)

Pitching:

Jackson | 5.0IP | 9H | 6R | 4ER | 1SO | 3.66 ERA |
Zumaya (L, 0-1) | 3.0IP | 2H | 1R | 4SO | 0.00 ERA |
Robertson | 0.1IP | 1H | 3.10 ERA |



Lineup:

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

Batting:

HR: V. Martinez (3), J. Peralta (5)
RBI: A. Cabrera 2 (11), V. Martinez 2 (11), J. Peralta 2 (18), S. Choo (14)
SF: A. Cabrera
SAC: S. Choo
GIDP: J. Peralta

Fielding:

E: A. Cabrera (3)

Pitching:

Pavano | 5.1IP | 5H | 3R | 2ER | 3SO | 5.58 ERA |
Betancourt (BS, 1) | 1.2IP | 4H | 3R | 3ER | 2SO | 5.93 ERA |
Lewis (W, 1-1) | 2.0IP | 3H | 2SO | 7.04 ERA |

Player of the Game:


V. Martinez

2 for 5 - HR, 2RBI

Next Game:

(21-9) @ (16-14)

[Vinsane]

damn you chugging right along aint you game 30 already

I'm trying to at least get in a series a day.

[Vinsane]

damn I got to many chises to play to do that

Peralta is doin his thug dizzle

Not one of my favorite guys personally but a beast thus far, trying to hit that 1/4 done mark by Monday. Mother-in-law going to be here next week, not sure what the playing schedule is going to look like.

[Vinsane]

great win. the boxscore says boston vs detroit tho

I've fixed it, thanks for your keen eye.

[Vinsane]

Something Has Got To Give.


Jensen Lewis gets rocked for 5 runs, Tribe lose.

AP - Cleveland, OH - "Are you not sick of writing about it?" The words of one Mark Shapiro when asked if he was "sick of watching it." Shapiro continued. "I sit up there and I watch a team, that two season ago exploded in the ALCS and hasn't recovered since. I watch a team that puts itself in the winning position night in, and night out. And I watch that team explode, night in and night out". Shapiro is of course talking about a five run inning given up late in the eighth. "I don't what to do, we have the coaches, we have the staff."

Everything was kosher, The Indians went up 4-3 in the fifth inning before turning the game over to the bullpen. Once again, like countless times before this season, the Bullpen blew the game late and failed to record a W for the Tribe. A trend that's starting to wear thin in Cleveland. One that if prevented could have the Indians pole-vaulted to the best record in the league. And yet their still sitting third best in the AL Central. "You know, we gotta win at home, we're not winning on the road." Said Cliff Lee when asked about the performance. "You don't win on the road, you win at home, you don't win both, you pack the season up and start all over. It's not what I want, it's not what this team wants, it's not what the city of Cleveland wants. We're getting dangerously close to being a quarter way through the season, and playing just above .500 ball is not playoff material, not in this division."

"90 wins, we gotta get every bit of 90 wins to at least be considered for the playoffs." Said skipper Eric Wedge. "If you take those games that our bullpen blew, and translate that into wins, we're almost a third of the way to 90, we'd be right up there with Detroit, if not above them. And here we are, scrapping for .500". The last person that was interviewed after the game was Jensen Lewis who was the one responsible for the five run eighth, when asked about the blow up and what was accredited to it, Jensen just shook his head. "I don't know to be honest, I threw my stuff. The Tigers were hitting the snot out of the ball all night, they just got way more hits than us." Which is double the amount that Cleveland got. "You do the math, you get more hits, you have the better chance to score more runs, you end up having the better chance to win the game."

This series concludes tomorrow night with the Indians then hosting AL Central division rival, The Chicago White Sox. The first meeting between these two on the season.

Lineup:



CF Granderson4-5 |
RF Ordonez 3-5 |
1B Cabrera 4-5 |
LF Thames 1-5 | 1K
DH Guillen 3-5 |
2B Polanco 1-5 |
C Laird 0-5 | 1K
SS Santiago 2-4 |
3B Inge 0-4 | 1K

Batting:

2B: P. Polanco (10), M. Cabrera (11), C. Guillen (7), R. Santiago (4)
3B: C. Granderson (2), M. Cabrera (2), C. Guillen (2)
HR: C. Granderson (1), M. Thames (11)
RBI: C. Granderson 2 (14), P. Polanco (17), M. Ordonez (19), M. Cabrera (29), R. Santiago 2 (12), M. Thames 2 (22).
GIDP: M. Ordonez, B. Inge

Fielding:

E. R. Santiago (5)

Base Running:

SB: C. Granderson (8)

Pitching:

Verlander | 6.2IP | 8H | 4R | 4ER | 4SO | 5.70 ERA |
Robertson (W, 5-1) | 2.1IP | 1H | 2SO | 2.78 ERA |



Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: J. Peralta (2), J. Carroll (1), D. Dellucci 2 (2)
HR: R. Garko (3)
RBI: R. Garsko 2 (17), J. Carroll (6), D. Dellucci (3)
GIDP: A. Cabrera, J. Peralta

Fielding:

E: J. Carroll (2)

Pitching:

Lee | 5.2IP | 10H | 3R | 3ER | 3.86 ERA |
Meloan (BS, 1) | 1.1IP | 2H | 1R | 1ER | 2SO | 2.04 ERA |
Lewis (L, 1-2) | 2.0IP | 6H | 5R | 5ER | 1SO | 10.24 ERA |

Player of the Game:


C. Granderson

4 for 5 - HR, Triple

Next Game:

(22-9) @ (16-15)

[mfbmike]

Tigers are FUCKING rolling.

[Vinsane]

Tigers are FUCKING rolling.

Looking ahead I hope Chicago catches fire, I don't want to see this team in the playoffs, hell, I got to make it there first but, still...

[Vinsane]

lewis threw the gme away...

Story of the season, either the bullpen delivers, or blows it. No middle ground.

Youre lookin good dude... Gotta take this last game here ;)

Thanks for following. Last game will be up soon.

[Vinsane]

The Saturday Mill:

All right, I'll have a graphic for this thing. Anyways, the thought is to update the rumor mill/trading block weekly. So you can see any moves that are made, or moves that could be made. I'll give it every Saturday (in game) with updated trade blocks and rumor mills for all teams. Without further a-do.

Rumor Mill:

POS - Player - Contract - Stats - Teams Interested



SP - John Smoltz - 18.3M yr/1yr - (3-2, 3.28 ERA) - Indians
RP - Takashi Saito - 1.6M yr/1yr - (2 Saves, 0.00 ERA) - Yankees, Phillies
1B - David Ortiz - 12.8M yr/2yrs - (.283, 4HR, 10RBI) - Marlins



SP - C.C. Sabathia - 16.8M yr/7yrs - (4-3, 4.64 ERA) - Indians



SP - Matt Garza - 540K yr/1yr - (4-2, 3.27 ERA) - Indians



SP - Ricky Nolasco - 1.6M yr/1yr - (2-2, 3.12 ERA ) -Indians



SP - Johan Santana - 19.9M yr/5yrs - (0-0, 3.00 ERA ) - Indians
RP - J.J. Putz - 2.3M yr/1yr - (0-1, 3.71 ERA) - Yankees, Phillies



SP - Cole Hamels - 2.6M yr/3yrs - (3-1, 4.53 ERA) - Indians.

Breakdown: With the first batch of rumors coming out I can confirm that only one interest in these players is legit. J.J. Putz of the NYM would be a player I would chase after if the bullpen continues this disastrous showing this season. I wouldn't pull a trigger until my Monday off day (16 days, in-game) on any deal. While we have issues at the SP as well, that can be solved in-house. With the great farm system we have, I could have a diamond in the rough sitting in Akron, or Columbus.

Trading Block:


Seeking RP, C, LF

SP - Jeremy Guthrie - 1.3M yr/1yr - (2-4, 3.74 ERA)
RP - Jim Johnson - 420k yr/1yr - (0-2, 2.50 ERA)
CF - Adam Jones - 440k yr/1yr - (.316, 3HR, 13 RBI, 1SB)
RF - Dana Bonner - 38k yr/2yrs - (.268, 5RBI)
C - Gregorio Gomez - 50k yr/3yrs - (.238, 7RBI, 2SB)
1B - Sammy Kirby - 38k yr/2yrs - (.277, 1HR, 9RBI, 3SB)


Seeking LF

SP - John Smoltz - 18.3M yr/1yr - (3-2, 3.28 ERA)
RP - Takashi Saito - 1.6M yr/1yr - (2 Saves, 0.00 ERA)
1B - David Ortiz - 12.8M yr/2yrs - (.283, 4HR, 10 RBI)
CF - Rocco Baldelli - 1.9M yr/1yr - (.185)
C - Ben Gribble - 91k yr/2yrs - (.292, 7RBI, 1SB)
CF - Jonathan Van Every - 60k yr/1yr - (.196, 3RBI)


Seeking SP, 2B, LF

1B - Travis Hafner - 6.0M yr/4yrs - (.325 3HR, 16RBI)
RP - Masahide Kobayashi - 410k yr/1yr - (9.00 ERA)
RP - Jensen Lewis - 410k yr/1yr - (1-2, 1S, 10.24 ERA)


Seeking RP, 2B, RF

SP - C.C. Sabathia - 16.8M yr/7yrs - (4-3, 4.64 ERA)
RP - Damaso Marte - 1.7M yr/3yrs - (1-0, 2.08 ERA)
CF - Melky Cabrera - 870k yr/1yr - (.176, 2RBI, 5SB)
LF - Paul Smith - 218k yr/2yrs - (.310, 1HR, 13RBI, 7SB)
C - Rocco Braden - 37k yr/3yrs - (.319, 2HR, 13RBI)
1B - Nick Swisher - 1.8M yr/3yrs - (.220, 2HR, 7RBI)


Seeking CP, C

SP - Matt Garza - 540K yr/1yr - (4-2, 3.27 ERA)
RP - Lucien Sanders - 390k 1yr/2yrs (3-0, 2.35 ERA)
RF - Matt Joyce - 400k yr/1yr - (.286, 7HR, 15RBI)
SS - Dana Carter - 390k yr/2yrs - (.315, 3HR, 10RBI)
CF - Ron Jarvis - 37k yr/3yrs - (.230, 9RBI, 1SB)
CF - Sherwood Peters (LOL!) - 315k yr/3yrs - (.219, 2HR, 7RBI, 2SB)


Seeking RP, 1B, 3B, SS, LF

SP - Nicky Nolasco - 1.6M yr/1yr - (2-2, 3.12 ERA)
RP - Logan Kensing - 480k yr/1yr - (2-1, 3.27 ERA)
1B - Wes Helms - 1.3M yr/2yrs - (.253, 4HR,15RBI)
RF - Brett Carroll - 40k yr/1yr - (.203, 1HR, 3RBI)
C - Gerard Tyler - 37k yr/3yrs - (.391, 2HR, 14 RBI)
2B - Kirby Weller - 38k yr/2yrs - (.266, 1HR, 8RBI)


Seeking RP

SP - Malik Pickering - 267k yr/2yrs - (1-4, 2.96 ERA)
RP - David Herrington - 114k yr/2yrs - (2-0, 3.44 ERA)
LF - Josh Willingham - 2.0M yr/1yr - (.339, 5HR, 24RBI)
RF - Rodrick Bynum - 38k yr/2yrs - (.222, 4RBI)
SS - Ahmad McCormick - 38k yr/2yrs - (.356, 10RBI, 5SB)
SS - Freeman Bishop - 218k yr/2yrs - (.237, 6HR, 21RBI)


Seeking RP, C, LF

SP - Johan Santana - 19.9M yr/5yrs - (0-0, 3.00 ERA)
RP - J.J. Putz - 2.3M yr/1yr - (0-1, 3.71 ERA)
RF - Ryan Church - 2.0M yr/1yr - (.252, 2HR,11RBI)
CF - Ambrose Koehler - 37k yr/3yrs - (.286, 1HR, 12RBI)
C - Omir Santos - 60k yr/1yrs - (.294, 2RBI)
2B - Dillon Dow - 37k yr/3yrs - (.171, 3RBI, 3SB)


Seeking RP, LF, CF, RF

SP - Cole Hamels - 2.6M yr/3yrs - (3-1, 4.53 ERA)
RP - Devin Downey - 390k yr/2yrs - (2-0, 1S, 0.95 ERA)
3B - Pedro Feliz - 2.6M yr/1yr - (.187, 4RBI)
2B - Leando Lopez - 111k yr/3yrs - (.279, 5RBI)
CF - Tyree Russell - 267k yr/2yrs - (.231, 1HR, 11RBI, 4SB)

[Vinsane]

Isn't that like heartbreaking mine will be here for two weeks some time soon, I thnk I may shoot myself

Don't pull the trigger man, I found the best thing to do is a high dose of medication, or marijuana.

[Vinsane]

They Did It For Their Mamas.


Choo watches his shot fall short, Indians didn't.

AP - Cleveland, OH - What is the best present for your mom, flowers, a card? How about a win against your division rival? On Mother's Day the Indians' mom's gathered at Progressive field to watch their boys take on the Motor City Kitties. One mom in particular was very proud of her son, Fausto Carmona. "Fausto has been telling me all season, mom, you gotta see me play, you gotta see me play." I watch him on television from time to time, but to watch him deliver a game like that, on mother's day is very special.

Another mom, this one belonging to Ben Francisco was given her son's home run present by the fan that caught it in left field. "The gentlemen came up to me, he handed me the ball and said, 'ma'am it only seems right, I think he hit it for you." It was a special feeling all around the Ballpark as the Indians got revenge on the Tigers. Yesterday the Tigers doubled the Indians hits, today the Indians doubled the Tiger's and won the second series of the season, the same way they won the first, 2-1.

Not all was good for the Mom's in attendance however, Asdrubal Cabrera's mom was disappointed when she found out her son was not going to be playing. AC pulled a muscle in warm-ups and the Indians didn't want to risk losing him for longer. He was replaced by Jayme Carroll. Carroll's mom was happy to see her son get the start, and then upset when he got ejected on a call at first. "I was screaming 'Jayme, just let it go' that boy never listens!" Last but not least though, Josh Barfield's mom got to see her son go out on the field. "After Jayme was gone, it was Josh's turn, I'm so proud of him!" she said while fighting back tears.

The Indians wrap this series up, but stay home for the next three as they host the AL Central Rival Chicago White Sox in a three game series

Lineup:



CF Granderson1-3 |
RF Ordonez 1-4 | 1K
1B Cabrera 3-4 |
DH Thames 1-4 | 1K
LF Guillen 0-4 | 1K
2B Polanco 1-4 |
C Laird 1-4 | 1K
3B Inge 0-4 | 1K
SS Everett 0-3 |

Batting:

2B: P. Polanco (11), M. Ordonez (5), M. Cabrera (12)
3B: M. Thames (1)
RBI: M. Ordonez (20), M. Cabrera (30), M. Thames (23)
GIDP: M. Thames

Pitching:

Galarraga (L, 2-2) | 6.0IP | 11H | 4R | 4ER | 2SO | 3.06 ERA |
Robertson | 2.0IP | 5H | 2R | 2ER | 3.28 ERA |



Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: V. Martinez (6), M. DeRosa (11)
HR: B. Francisco (1)
RBI: G. Sizemore (15), V. Martinez (12), T. Hafner (17), J. Peralta 2 (20), B. Francisco (9)
GIDP: V. Martinez, J. Barfield

Pitching:

Carmona (W, 4-1) | 7.2IP | 7H | 3R | 3ER | 1BB | 4SO | 2.42 ERA |
Wood (S, 12) | 1.1IP | 1H | 1SO | 2.51 ERA |

Player of the Game:


K. Wood

1.1 Innings 1 Hit 1 Strikeout

Next Game:

(19-13) @ (17-15)

[Vinsane]

I'll wait until after the White Sox, and Tampa Bay series before I try to make any moves, that would be mid-may. Still too early yet but getting a feel for the trade block, there's guys I'd like to go after. Don't want to load up on them though. I think after 30 games I'm FINALLY getting timing down and hitting some homers. So we'll see what happens 7 games from now.

[Vinsane]

Series Preview:

(19-13) @ (17-15)

The Season Series is tied 0-0.

Division Standings:

Probable Starters:

Game 1:

G. Floyd (2-1, 3.89 ERA)|A. Laffey (2-2, 4.25 ERA)

Game 2:

D.J. Carrasco (0-0, 0.00 ERA) |A. Reyes (2-3, 5.45 ERA)

Game 3:

J. Contreras (1-0, 1.29 ERA)|C. Pavano (1-1 5.58 ERA)


Key Bank's "Keys to Succes"

1.) Good Pitching - These three Indians pitchers are on a short leash, they need to deliver something in their next two starts or it's to the minors they go. The pressure is on and if they let it get to them, it won't matter, they'll be off this team. If they deliver solid games against this Division Rival they very well could stay on the roster, at least another month.

2.) Climb Up - The Indians have started the season going 4-2 against the AL Central leading Tigers. What that translate into, they know how to beat the Tigers and if they could put themselves in position they could lead the Central. Doing so is getting past the White Sox, who the Tribe trail by 2.0 games.

3.) Establish Dominance - Walking out of this series at 2-1 gets the Indians in a tie with the White Sox for second. Winning the first series against them is important as they could start to establish a dominance over AL Central opponents, which makes it easier to get to the playoffs, still a lot of baseball to play. Now is the time to start getting ahead so the Tribe can overtake these teams late in the season.

[Vinsane]

Nice preview, except highlight Floyd's name.

:?: