It's Tribe Time | A Cleveland Indians Franchise

[Archer]

Boom , keep the good form up.

Chise of the month contender.

[Vinsane]

Series Preview:

(41-30) @ (20-51)

The Season Series is tied 0-0.

Probable Starters:

Game 1:

C. Lee (5-3, 5.27 ERA)|Z. Duke (2-4, 3.27 ERA)

Game 2:

C. Pavano (2-4, 6.22 ERA)|J. Davis (3-4, 4.63 ERA)

Game 3:

J. Westbrook (5-1, 3.25 ERA)|T. Gorzelanny (1-6, 5.20 ERA)


Key Bank's "Keys to Succes"

1.) Play Smart - Looking at the records, this should be another series sweep. The Indians are having their best month of baseball yet. And while only trailing the White Sox by three games, this could be great for them as Chicago plays the L.A. Dodgers. The Indians however, need to not look past the Pirates and play every game, and play it smart. Keeping errors off of the board and a higher run total.

2.) Good Defense - The Tribe are still on the road, they need to complete this series with good defense in enemy territory, doing so will get them the best chances for winning. That coupled with runs on the board they will be series victors.

3.) Solid Bullpen - The Indians rotation is doing everything it can to keep this team afloat, if they want to head into the All-Star game with at least 50 wins the Bullpen will have to be solid for the remainder of inter-league play, this and a Cincinnati series will cap inter-league play. The Bullpen must be solid for The Tribe to walk away with the victory.

[Vinsane]

carmona reminds of casilla in my chise. both are doing very well

It's amazing pitching with him, he was actually cold heading into this game. Some of his stuff missed early on, then once it was hitting pitching with him is amazing, I can do all kinds of stuff that I can't do with pitchers 2-5.

Carmona 8-1...amazing

I know, I want him to get the Cy Young, a lot of baseball to play though.

Voted yours for chise of the month, good luck with everything bro.

I thank you for that, I believe GSW deserves the first COTM award for a baseball chise, he's so much further than I am. Keep me in mind next month though!

Boom , keep the good form up.

Chise of the month contender.

Thank you Arch, doubt I'll beat out GSW.

[Vinsane]

ARGH!


Asdrubal Cabrera celebrates, being the first run across of the ball game.

AP - Pittsburgh, PA - Normally when two cities like these meet, it's pretty vicious. Cleveland and Pittsburgh have a long tradition of hating each other. What spawned this hatred was back in the football days, The Browns and Steelers at one time the standard of AFC teams. Now Pittsburgh would seemingly hold that title alone when discussing the two teams. That coupled with the rise of Penn St. football and their battles with Buckeyes, they are two cities separated by state boarders, and always provide a good show when their teams meet.

Baseball is no different. Even though the Pirates are one of the worst teams in the MLB this season they were able to give the Indians enough of a challenge to keep it to a close game. Cliff Lee who has been a question mark recently pitched a spectacular game throwing five innings of hitless baseball. In the sixth he gave up his first hit, and two runs.

Lee has done well for the Tribe though in his recent outings. Perhaps enough to stay with the club, even though sources have said he'll be a last minute trigger pull come time for the trade deadline. On the offensive side of the ball the Indians were able to push across five runs on fifteen hits. An outing like that wouldn't of gotten the job done, but luckily for the Tribe they were playing the Pirates.

As Cleveland looks to close another chapter on this fantastic month of baseball they'll look to Carl Pavano, and Jake Westbrook to close out this series and head into their inter-league finale against the Cincinnati Reds.

Lineup:

2B Cabrera 1-5 |
CF Francisco 2-5 | 1K
3B DeRosa 2-4 |
C Martinez 1-4 |
LF Willingham 2-4 |
1B Johnson 2-4 |
RF Pena 2-4 | 1K
SS Peralta 1-4 |
P Lee 1-2 |
PH Garko 1-1 |
P Chulk 0-1 |

Batting:

2B: A. Cabrera (8), N. Johnson (18), B. Francisco (21)
RBI: N. Johnson (35), M. DeRosa 4 (45)
GIDP: C. Lee, J. Peralta

Pitching:

Lee (W, 6-3) | 6.0IP | 5H | 2R | 2ER | 4SO | 5.12 ERA |
Chulk (H, 2) | 2.0IP | 1H | 1SO | 4.66 ERA |
Wood (S, 26) | 1.0IP | 2SO | 2.51 ERA |



Lineup:

LF Morgan 0-4 |
SS Gotay 1-4 | 1K
2B Sanchez 1-4 |
1B LaRoche 1-4 | 2K
C Doumit 0-4 | 2K
CF McLouth 1-4 |
RF Moss 0-3 |
3B LaRoche 1-3 | 1K
P Duke 0-1 1K
PH Diaz 1-1 |
PH Vazquez 0-1 |

Batting:

RBI: R. Gotay (13), F. Sanchez (20)

Base Running:

SB: N. McLouth (12)

Pitching:

Duke (L, 2-5) | 5.0IP | 10H | 4R | 4ER | 2SO | 3.52 ERA |
Yates | 1.0IP | 1H | 3.53 ERA |
Grabow | 1.0IP | 2H | 1R | 1ER | 5.98 ERA |
Sanchez | 2.0IP | 2H | 1SO | 6.17ERA |

Player of the Game:


K. Wood

1.0 Innings 0 Hit 2 Strikeouts

Next Game:
June 24th, 2009

(42-30) @ (21-51)

[Vinsane]

Welcome Back!


Kelly Shoppach has been missing since April.

AP - Pittsburgh, PA - The Cleveland Indians got back a piece of the puzzle today. Kelly Shoppach has returned from his injury, finally. Shoppach was injured in April on a slide into second. He was able to fracture his shin in the slide and has been on the 60 day DL since. The Indians have struggled on long stretches this season as they've been playing short handed without subs.

"Kelly gives us depth." Said Eric Wedge. "We need depth to make it through those grueling stretches. I think we've been playing our best ball this month because we've gotten rest, we've been able to put guys in and sit other guys. With Kelly back we get another option at DH and Catcher. We've missed him, I'm glad he's back" Added Wedge.

"Rehab was hard, I'd wake up everyday hoping that this would be the day I'm better. Now that it's finally here, I can't wait to pick up some pine and get back out on that field." Said Shoppach. When asked how his shin will hold up for the remainder of the season, Shoppach laughed. "You know, they say you can't break bones in the same place twice, so I think I should be good. I'm looking forward to catching for our guys again."

Shoppach was kept to the roster despite playing back-up to Victor Martinez. Eric Wedge fought for Shoppach to be kept on the roster, feeling he had a place as a spot starter and DH, when needed. Shoppach only appeared in four games, with 16 at bats. He was batting .437 when he went down, adding 7 hits and 2 RBI's. While he wasn't a key contributor early on, it's nice to see the Indians getting back a little depth to their roster.

On a side note, center fielder, Grady Sizemore. Remains on the DL, he is projected to start rehab in 1-6 days, returning to the ball club after the all-star break. Sizemore has been sidelined with a broken arm suffered during a diving catch earlier in the season.

[Vinsane]

Save Us Kerry Wood!


Kerry Wood comes through for the Tribe in the ninth inning, his 27th save of the year.

AP - Pittsburgh, PA - One concern for Cleveland, was the production of Kelly Shoppach, who returned to the starting line-up a day after being released from the DL. Shoppach who has been waiting to clear the DL has traveled with the team during their nine-game road trip, waiting, anxiously, for his first at bat since the injury. And with a single swing, Kelly Shoppach put the nerves to rest, as the ball cleared the left field wall for his second homer of the season.

"It felt good watching it go over the wall". Said an elated Kelly Shoppach. "I've been anxious to get back, finally last night doctors cleared me. Eric wanted me to get in there and start right away, knock the rust off." It's safe to say, that the rust was knocked off with one swing. Victor Martinez commented on the performance of his back-up catcher. Vic got to see a little work tonight, pinch-hitting late in the game. "Kelly is a great guy to have on your ball club, a team guy. Him and I share the catching duties, neither one of us considers ourselves better, so watching that ball fly over the wall, I was the first to my feet cheering."

The Indians have had a lot of success to this point, they're about to match their month best winning streak with another win tomorrow, if they can get it. Jake Westbrook will appear on the mound for the Tribe, looking to get the second series sweep in a a row and push the winning streak to six games. A lot of this winning of course is due to the wonderful bullpen outings thus far this month, that coupled with the dominate save situations by Kerry Wood and the Indians are looking more like a playoff team as the All-Star game approaches.

Lineup:

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

Batting:

HR: K. Shoppach (2)
RBI: C. Pavano (1), J. Peralta (44), W. Pena (15), K. Soppach (3)
GIDP: M. DeRosa

Pitching:

Pavano (W, 3-4) | 6.0IP | 5H | 1R | 1ER | 6SO | 5.84 ERA |
Perez (H, 6) | 2.0IP | 3H | 1R | 1ER | 4.29 ERA |
Wood (S, 27) | 1.0IP | 1H | 1SO | 2.43 ERA |



Lineup:

LF Morgan 0-4 | 1K
SS Gotay 2-4 |
2B Sanchez 1-4 | 1K
1B LaRoche 1-4 | 1K
C Doumit 1-4 | 1K
CF McLouth 1-4 | 2K
3B Vazquez 2-4 |
RF Hinske 0-4 |
P Davis 1-2 | 1K
PH LaRoche 0-1 |

Batting:

2B: J. Davis (1), A. LaRoche (16), R. Vazquez (8)
3B: F. Sanchez (2)
HR: N. McLouth (10)
RBI: N. McLouth (33)
GIDP: E. Hinske

Pitching:

Davis (L, 3-5) | 5.0IP | 9H | 4R | 4ER | 3SO | 4.83 ERA |
Yates | 2.0IP | 2H | 3.40 ERA |
Hansen | 2.0IP | 3.76 ERA |

Player of the Game:


C. Pavano

6.0 Innings 5 Hits 6 Strikeouts

Next Game:
June 25th, 2009

(43-30) @ (21-52)

[Vinsane]

How Sweep It Is!


Martinez, pictured above. Getting good contact on the ball.

AP - Pittsburgh, PA - The Indians completed the sweep, but all is not well in Cleveland. Left Fielder, Josh Willingham, went down with an injury late in the game sliding into third. There has been no word yet on weather or not the Left Fielder is ok, a report is coming out later tonight with the details on the injury.

The Tribe however, without Willingham were able to complete the three game sweep of the Pirates. In a less-than-stellar fashion as they only pushed across three runs on eighteen hits. "You can do that to a team like Pittsburgh, not Chicago, New York, or Boston, but a team like Pittsburgh, you can get away with that poor production." Said Eric Wedge, after the game.

Cleveland has been playing their best baseball this month, a point that has been reiterated time and time again. One thing is for certain, they've closed the gap on the Yankees. They're only a half game behind New York, as the Yankees were unable to handle the Braves and lost their series 2-1, in favor of Atlanta. This puts the Tribe in a prime position to take over the Wild Card lead as they head back home to host inter-state rival Cincinnati.

"We're looking forward to it." Said one, Kelly Shoppach. "This team has been struggling to get back atop of the wild card standings, and we're drawing closer to Chicago for the division lead. A strong outing against Cincinnati, we might not have to wait until after the All-Star break. We could be a playoff team coming into the break, that would suit us just fine." Cleveland matches a month best six game winning streak with the victory, their season best is an eight game winning streak that they had back in May.

Lineup:

2B Cabrera 4-5 |
CF Francisco 5-5 |
3B DeRosa 0-5 | 1K
C Martinez 2-4 |
LF Willingham 2-3 |
PR-LF Garko 0-1 |
1B Johnson 1-4 |
RF Pena 2-4 | 1K
SS Peralta 2-4 |
P Westbrook 0-2 |
PH Shoppach 0-1 |
P Smith 0-1 |

Batting:

2B: J. Willingham (22), W. Pena (10)
RBI: J. Willingham (49), A. Cabrera (20), W. Pena (16)
GIDP: J. Smith, V. Martinez, J. Peralta, M. DeRosa

Base Running:

CS: J. Peralta (3), B. Francisco (5)

Pitching:

Westbrook (W, 6-1) | 6.0IP | 1SO | 2.86 ERA |
Smith (H, 3) | 2.0IP | 1H | 1R | 1ER | 1SO | 2.79 ERA |
Wood (S, 28) | 1.0IP | 1SO | 2.35 ERA |



Lineup:

LF Morgan 0-4 |
SS Gotay 0-4 | 1K
2B Sanchez 0-3 |
1B LaRoche 1-3 |
C Doumit 0-3 | 1K
CF McLouth 2-3 |
3B Vazquez 0-3 |
RF Hinske 1-3 |
P Yates 0-1 |
PH Moss 0-1 | 1K

Batting:

HR: N. McLouth (11)
RBI: N. McLouth (34)
SAC: T. Gorzelanny
GIDP: R. Doumit, R. Vazquez

Pitching:

Gorzelanny (L, 1-7) | 5.0IP | 11H | 2R | 2ER | 1SO | 5.10 ERA |
Yates | 3.0IP | 3H | 1SO | 3.21 ERA |
Sanchez | 1.0IP | 4H | 1R | 1ER | 6.25 ERA |

Player of the Game:


J. Westbrook

6.0 Innings 3 Hits 1 Strikeout

Next Game:
June 26th, 2009

(36-36) @ (44-30)

[T.Dot]

lol sucks that 18 translates to 3 runs for you, RISP FTL

[Vinsane]

lol sucks that 18 translates to 3 runs for you, RISP FTL

:rolleyes1: I can't even defend that play. I was lucky it was against the Pirates.

[Vinsane]

Plus and Minus


Mark Shapiro discusses matters about his team's direction.

AP - Cleveland, OH - When you sit down and think about an MLB franchise. You want to be the guy. The guy that makes the calls, that signs the players. The guy that sits down with players to discuss their value and direction with the team. You want to be him, you want to be the General Manager, you want to be the man. The guy with the fluffy chair, the giant oak desk.

"On days like this, I don't like to me." Said Mark Shapiro as he opened the discussion Friday morning about the MRI results of Josh Willingham. "It is my duty to inform you all, that Josh Willingham will be sidelined 1-2 Months according to doctors this morning. He suffered a torn calf in his right leg, in our game last night." Shapiro closed his opening statement with a heart felt. "Our prayers are with Josh, and a speedy recovery."

The Indians lose another piece to the puzzle only days after gaining back a huge piece in Kelly Shoppach. Mark Shapiro's first order of business was answering the questions about the base paths and if he felt they were an issue in baseball. "The fields are always up to standard. Always. That never will be an argument when discussing injuries. It's unfortunate yes, and it's ironic. However, it's not the cause of these injuries." Shapiro was also very vocal on the play of Josh Willingham. "Since we've brought him over, he's produced. Filling the stat sheet for us on a regular bases. We're losing production when we lose him no doubt."

The Indians however made a peculiar move in moving him to the 15-Day Disabled List instead of the 60-Day Disabled List that one Grady Sizemore is currently on. "We sent Kelly and Grady down there early. Kelly could of gone a week ago, but he needed to spend his time on the DL. We want to test the water and see if Josh will be ready to go sooner, rather than later."

Shapiro spoke about Grady Sizemore's situation as well. "Right now, Grady is looking at 1-6 days in injury time. However, he's twenty-two days left on the DL. We want to be sure he's healthy when he comes back, therefore we inked him and commited to him being back after the All-Star game, and not before." It seems as if the Indians injury bug hasn't gone away just yet. This will be their fourth injury this season alone, that's pushed a player out longer than 1 month. The Indians next man to come off of the DL is 1B. Samuel Hancock of Akron. Hancock went out sometime earlier in the season with a Torn Hamstring. He was a promising prospect in the Indians single A organization.

Shapiro also was able to announce quickly Willingham's replacement. "Right now our plan is this. We've dropped Josh Barfield through the waivers, he didn't get signed. So he'll sit in Columbus for us. We're calling up David Dellucci who has been signed to the 40 man roster earlier today. Dellucci will patrol left field for us." When asked where Dellucci fits when Grady Sizemore's return date comes around. "He'll be in a running for Right Field or Bench Duties with Wily Mo Pena. We'll see how they both pan out and we'll let the better man get the start."

The Indians begin their Inter-league finale against the Cincinnati Reds, at home. The Tribe are looking to avenge a 2-1 series defeat earlier in the season. The Tribe have had their best month of baseball to date. They look to close it out against in-state Rival Cincinnati and AL Central Rival, Chicago.

[Vinsane]

Series Preview:

"The Battle of Ohio"

(36-36) @ (44-30)

Cincinnati leads the Season Series 2-1.

Probable Starters:

Game 1:

J. Cueto (5-5, 5.80 ERA)|A. Laffey (6-5, 3.17 ERA)

Game 2:

R. Ramirez (6-3, 2.30 ERA)|F. Carmona (7-1, 3.64 ERA)

Game 3:

M. Owings (0-1, 5.40 ERA)|C. Lee (6-3, 5.12 ERA)


Key Bank's "Keys to Succes"

1.) Rival - "The Battle for Ohio" is important to Ohioans, whoever wins this series gets bragging rights for the year. That and this series happens to cap off the Indians inter-league play for the season. If the Tribe can swing the favor 2-1 they will Tie the series at three games a piece, if they sweep they win.

2.) Scoreboard Watch - Not something you would promote. The Tribe are now only 2.0 games out of first place right now. If the Chi Sox mess up in their series against the Cubs the Indians could be looking at a tie, or possibly the lead if Chicago loses1-2 in their series. Watching for the wins and losses will motivate the team to do well against their inter-state rival.

3.) Good Defense - The Tribe have been making little to no mistakes up to this point. If this trend can continue they'll continue to win. It has been a great outing thus far against the National League, capping it with a series victory while not giving up errors, could be, the icing on the cake.

[Vinsane]

Seventh Heaven!


Martinez steals the show, once more.

AP - Cleveland, OH - The series swings back, to the middle. The Indians were able to even up their record against Cincinnati even if, for right now, it's just for a day. The Tribe were lead by their All-Star Game candidate Victor Martinez. Martinez got player of the game honors based on his bat. It was K-Mart's defensive play though that stole the show, on this night.

Early on Willy Tavarez was on third, when a shot of the bat was meant to bring him home. Tavarez ran on a hit and run. Aaron Laffey was quick to scoop the ball up and toss it home, Tavarez lowered his head and barreled into nothing as Victor Martinez put a spinning tag on the center-fielder, making him look silly.

Tavarez would get a second chance late, after he was on second with an out. Tavarez advanced earlier on a Brandon Phillips single. He would steal third when a throw by Martinez would come in late, and Tavarez got under the tag. On another hit and run opportunity, Asdrubal Cabrera picked up the ball and fired it home. There was no trickery this time around. A full on collision at the plate left both players sprawled out, one, Victor Martinez still holding onto the ball.

"A lot of big plays from Vic today. Those plays at the plate saved us." Said Eric Wedge after the game. "His biggest play though, that was the throw out." Jerry Hairston Jr. came into run late in the game. When he attempted a steal on Kerry Wood. This of course was after a Wood fastball. Martinez caught the 90+ MPH fastball and with a quick return to sender was able to put Hairston Jr in the caught stealing category.

Victor Martinez is still the leading vote getter for the American League, to start as catcher. He, accompanied with Fausto Carmona, and possibly Kerry Wood will be the only Indians representing the team if the voters opinions stay the way they are now. Cleveland continues their three game series tomorrow, with Fausto Carmona starting.

Lineup:

CF Taveras 3-4
DH Dickerson 1-1
DH Gonzalez 0-3 | 1K
1B Votto 0-4 | 1K
RF Bruce 1-4 | 1K
3B Encarnacion 0-4 |
2B Phillips 2-4 |
C Hernandez 2-4 |
PR Hairston Jr. 0-0 |
LF Hopper 0-3 |
SS Keppinger 1-3 | 2K

Batting:

2B: B. Phillips (14), J. Keppinger (2)
HR: R. Hernandez (5)
RBI: W. Taveras (9), J. Bruce (53), B. Phillips (35), R. Hernandez 2 (29)
HBP: N. Hopper
GIDP: W. Taveras

Fielding:

E: E. Encarnacion (13), J. Keppinger (3)

Base Running:

SB: W. Taveras (32), B. Phillips (8)
CS: J. Hairston Jr. (3)

Pitching:

Masset | 5.0IP | 10H | 4R | 2ER | 1SO | 5.97 ERA |
Weathers (L, 2-3) | 3.0IP | 5H | 2R | 2ER | 1SO | 2.96 ERA |



Lineup:

2B Carroll 2-5 | 1K
CF Francisco 3-5 |
3B DeRosa 2-5 |
C Martinez 3-4 |
DH Johnson 1-3 |
RF Pena 1-4 | 1K
LF Dellucci 1-4 | 1K
1B Gakro 2-4 |
SS Peralta 0-4 |

Batting:

2B: V. Martinez 2 (16), R. Garko 2 (17), W. Pena (11), B. Francisco (22), J. Carroll (8)
HR: N. Johnson (9)
RBI: V. Martinez (38), N. Johnson 2 (37), J. Peralta (45), B. Francisco (39), J. Carroll (20)
HBP: N. Johnson
GIDP: J. Peralta, B. Francisco

Pitching:

Laffey | 6.0IP | 8H | 5R | 5ER | 2SO | 3.69 ERA |
Meloan (W, 5-1) | 2.0IP | 1H | 4SO | 3.68 ERA |
Wood (S, 29) | 1.0IP | 1H | 2.27 ERA |

Player of the Game:


V. Martinez

3 for 4 - 2 doubles, RBI

Next Game:
June 27th, 2009

(36-37) @ (45-30)

[mfbmike]

Just about halfway through the season. You're pumping out updates like a madman. Been busy lately, trying to keep up. Looks great. Keep it up!

[T.Dot]

^
What he said.
Nicccee win versus the Reds

[Vinsane]

Just about halfway through the season. You're pumping out updates like a madman. Been busy lately, trying to keep up. Looks great. Keep it up!

lol, I have a lot of time on my hands right now. So it's easy to do. Thanks for following Mike.

^
What he said.
Nicccee win versus the Reds

lol, thanks T. Dot.

nice man keep it up

I'm trying, I'm waiting for the fallout though. This has been the best month for me.