It's Tribe Time | A Cleveland Indians Franchise

[Vinsane]

Who Said It's Lonely At The Top?


Garko added a two run homer for the Indians, in the win.

AP - Cleveland, OH - For Cleveland, a victory today did a lot. They push at least a season series tie with the Reds, in the "Battle of Ohio". And coupled with a White Sox lost the Indians moved in to tie the White Sox for the AL Central lead. Another game with Cincinnati, then it's on to host the Sox.

"We're excited" Said Manager Eric Wedge. "We've worked so hard this past month to ring up win, after win. We've done what we've needed to to get to the top, and you can credit this month of baseball alone to our rise." He continued later. "We're in an interesting position heading towards the break, six games with the White Sox over the next two weeks, Detroit, Oakland. We need to capitalize big on those games if we want the lead at the break."

The Cleveland Indians indeed have climbed. June being their best month of the season translates into being at the top with the White Sox. "We've gotta do good against them though, or we're still just second best." Chimed in Mark DeRosa. "We've done a lot o good things this past month, so have they. We won when they've lost, that's the only difference. Against them, we have to do good though, if we want to lead the Central, alone."

The Indians will wrap up their weekend series against the Reds tomorrow with Cliff Lee on the mound. They will then host the White Sox to close out the month of June.

Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: J. Bruce (20)
HR: R. Hernandez (6)
RBI: E. Encarnacion (30), R. Hernandez 2 (31)
GIDP: W. Taveras

Pitching:

Ramirez (L, 6-4) | 6.0IP | 7H | 4R | 4ER | 1SO | 2.58 ERA |
Burton | 1.1IP | 5H | 2R | 2ER | 1SO | 3.45 ERA |
Lincoln | 0.2IP | 2.97 ERA |



Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: W. Pena (12)
3B: J. Peralta (4)
HR: R. Garko (5), M. DeRosa (5)
RBI: A. Cabrera (21), R. Garko 2 (34), M DeRosa 3 (48)
SAC: D. Dellucci
GIDP: J. Peralta

Fielding:

E: M. DeRosa (4)

Pitching:

Carmona (W, 9-1) | 6.0IP | 4H | 1R | 1ER | 7SO | 3.50 ERA |
Chulk (H, 3) | 2.0IP | 3H | 2R | 2ER | 1SO | 5.06 ERA |
Wood (S, 30) | 1.0IP | 1BB | 3SO | 2.20 ERA |

Player of the Game:


R. Garko

3 for 4 - 2 doubles, RBI

Next Game:
June 28th, 2009

(36-38) @ (46-30)

[Vinsane]

Tribe Can't Go The Distance


Jay Bruce getting a "pound" from Dusty Baker.

AP - Cleveland, OH - Three, count them, three errors and the Cleveland Indians suffered one of the most heart breaking losses, they've had all season. Cliff Lee went the distance until the eighth inning where it seemed he was chugging along nicely. Then the train rain out of coal. In the eighth the Tribe had a 5-3 lead. With a man on Joey Votto hits a triple to score one. And land himself at third.

On the next play, there is a hit and run with a quick shot to short stop, Jhonny Peralta fumbled the ball and failed to get the out at home, which would of been an easy out to make. The Reds scored the tying run. In the tenth with a runner on, a short dribbler was hit to third. DeRosa bare handed the throw way over the head of Ryan Garko. David Dellucci couldn't come up with the rebound throw and the Reds score the one run in the tenth.

The Indians would bounce back, the Tribe would get their first two men on in the bottom of the tenth. Trying to advance the tying, and winning run the Indians went for the bunt and run. RF Wily Mo Pena went for the bunt but popped it up in the air. The Indians were so far ahead in the play there was no rebounding from the failed attempt, and the reds pulled off the triple play to seal the game in the tenth.

"It's (explicit)!" Said a frustrated Eric Wedge. "When you have three errors in a game, you don't deserve to win. No matter how many runs you put on the board. We only convert a fourth of our hits for runs? That's not cutting it, that's bad baseball. And three errors? three? We tie the White Sox for the lead, and then this coupled with their win. We're right back in second place. It's frustrating to say the least."

The Cleveland Indians have in fact, knocked themselves down to second, again. The Chi Sox were able to rebound in their game and take the last game against the Cubs. The Indians, couldn't get theirs versus the Reds. The AL Central rivals will meet tomorrow in a three game series that will carry them into the month of July and closer to the looming all-star break. The Indians wanted the lead at the break, they'll need to beat Chicago in this series to take it.

Lineup:

CF Taveras 2-5 | 1K
RF Bruce 3-4 |
PR-RF Hopper 0-1 |
1B Votto 1-5 |
LF Gomes 1-5 | 1K
3B Encarnacion 0-4 | 1K
2B Phillips 0-4 | 3K
DH Hairston Jr. 1-4 | 1K
C Hernandez 0-4 | 1K
SS Keppinger 1-4 | 1K

Batting:

2B: W. Taveras (16)
3B: J. Bruce (4), J. Votto (1)
RBI: J. Bruce (54), J. Votto 3 (38)
GIDP: J. Gomes, R. Hernandez

Pitching:

Owings | 4.0IP | 10H | 5R | 5ER | 6.75 ERA |
Rhodes | 2.0IP | 4H | 3SO | 3.16 ERA |
Bray (W, 4-1) | 3.0IP | 3H | 1SO | 3.62 ERA |
Cordero (S, 23) | 1.0IP | 2H | 4.26 ERA |



Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: W. Pena (13)
HR: N. Johnson (10)
RBI: N. Johnson 3 (40), R. Garko (35), W. Pena (17)
SAC: W. Pena
GIDP: D. Delluci

Fielding:

E: V. Martinez (1), J. Peralta (5), M. DeRosa (5)

Pitching:

Lee | 9.1IP | 8H | 5R | 4ER | 9SO | 5.00 ERA |
Meloan (L, 5-2) | 0.2IP | 1H | 1R | 3.62 ERA |

Player of the Game:


J. Bruce

3 for 4 - Triple, RBI

Next Game:
June 29th, 2009

(47-30) @ (46-31)

[Vinsane]

Series Preview:

(47-30) @ (46-31)

Chicago leads the Season Series 4-2.

Divsion Standings:

Probable Starters:

Game 1:

J. Contreras (6-4, 3.08 ERA)|C. Pavano (3-4, 5.84 ERA)

Game 2:

D.J. Carrasco (2-5, 3.83 ERA)|J. Wesbtrook (6-1, 2.86 ERA)

Game 3:

B. Colon (1-4, 4.08 ERA)|A. Laffey (6-5, 3.69 ERA)


Key Bank's "Keys to Succes"

1.) Mistake Free Baseball - The Indians need to play flawless against the White Sox, a game ago they learned that mistakes equal losses. They don't need that with a share of the AL Central on the line.

2.) A Series Win - A key to this series is to win it. Both times this season Chicago has walked away the 2-1 victor in a three game series. The Indians need to know that they can beat Chicago in a series if they're going to over-take them for the AL Central lead.

3.) We'll Meet Again - The Indians need to understand that a week from now comes another three game series against the White Sox. It's a key to victory if they can get a 2-1 win or a sweep. This would cap off the best baseball month of the year for the Tribe. More failure against the White Sox could mean being knocked back further in the division standings and threatened being knocked out of playoff contention later in the season.

[Vinsane]

Not Ready To Lead


White Sox can celebrate as they pad their lead in the AL Central.

AP - Cleveland, OH - Failure to score with runners in position. Unable to get guys across the plate. Unable to lay down a bunt in a squeeze situation in the bottom of the ninth. All of that, and the Indians walk away with another extra inning loss, only this one is to division rival, the Chicago White Sox.

The White Sox watched as their 6-2 lead wilted away in a seven hit, four run eighth inning. After that though the Indians couldn't get the runs across the plate that mattered. Not much can be said about this game outside of failure to execute on the Tribe's part. With this loss they now fall 2.0 games back of Chicago with two to play left in this series. At best the Indians could pull a tie for the AL Central, at worst? Trailing 4.0 games with another three game series coming up within a week.

The Indians need to figure out a way to beat Chicago. The playoff picture is looking more like an AL Central win will be needed to reach the playoffs as the Red Sox and Yankees just keep racking up the wins when not playing one another. It's time to start getting some wins against this ball club, or you can all but write off the Indians as a playoff contender.

Lineup:

CF Owens 2-7 |
C Pierzynski 2-6 | 1K
RF Dye 2-6 |
LF Quentin 1-6 |
1B Thome 1-5 | 1K
3B Betemit 2-6 |
2B Wise 0-0 |
2B Fields 2-6 | 3K
SS Getz 2-5 | 3K
DH Anderson 3-6 | 1K

Batting:

2B: J. Thome (10), J. Dye (14), B. Anderson 2 (7)
RBI: J. Thome 2 (38), J. Dye (21), J. Fields (40), C. Getz (27), W. Betemit (39), B. Anderson 3 (15)
GIDP: A. Pierzynski

Fielding:

E: C. Getz (6)

Pitching:

Contreras | 7.0IP | 13H | 4R | 4ER | 5SO | 3.29 ERA |
Dotel (W, 1-0) | 4.0IP | 7H | 2R | 2ER | 1SO | 4.19 ERA |
Thornton | 1.0IP | 1.86 ERA |



Lineup:

3B Carroll 2-6 |
2B Cabrera 2-6 |
CF Francisco 2-6 |
C Martinez 1-6 | 1K
DH Johnson 3-6 | 1K
RF Pena 1-6 |
LF Dellucci 3-5 | 2K
1B Garko 3-5 |
SS Peralta 3-5 | 2K

Batting:

2B: N. Johnson (19)
HR: R. Garko (6)
RBI: A. Cabrera (22), N. Johnson (41), R. Garko 2 (37), W. Pena 2 (19)
GIDP: R. Garko, J. Carroll

Fielding:

E: J. Peralta (6)

Pitching:

Pavano | 6.0IP | 10H | 5R | 4ER | 1BB | 6SO | 5.85 ERA |
Betancourt | 4.0IP | 3H | 1R | 1ER | 1BB | 2SO | 4.50 ERA |
Smith (L, 2-3) | 2.0IP | 4H | 3R | 3ER | 1SO | 3.32 ERA |

Player of the Game:


B. Anderson

3 for 6 - Double, 3 RBI

Next Game:
June 30th, 2009

(48-30) @ (46-32)

[mfbmike]

Holy shit. Talk about a hit parade. rofl. Awesome job of getting back into it though. Let's beat these guys and pull ahead!

[Vinsane]

damn. extra inning losses suck

No kidding, between them and one run losses, I don't know what's worse though.

This could be your chance to retake the division

I've never led, so taking the division is new.

Holy shit. Talk about a hit parade. rofl. Awesome job of getting back into it though. Let's beat these guys and pull ahead!

I thought I could get it, and on the squeeze play the ball just doesn't hit the bat. I was so pissed to watch it go to extras. I suck on the bath paths too, so I'll get hits and on another hit I'll try for third or home and get thrown out. Frustrating.

[Vinsane]

O, my bad, I thought you were tied at some point. BTW, tough loss there. Getting shutout, tough.

Yeah we were tied, prior to the last Reds game. I meant holding a lead, not tied for first. lol.

[Vinsane]

Right Back At You!


Perez came on in the seventh, and shut them down.

AP - Cleveland, OH - With Jake Wesbtrook on the mound, this season. The Indians have been able to turn it around. Westbrook was always questionable as a starter, but recently the trend in Cleveland, is a hot pitcher a year. This season, the Tribe can say they have two, one in their Ace, Fausto Carmona, and the second. In their fourth spot, Jake Westbrook.

"Jake has pitched out of his mind, since coming up." Said Kelly Shoppach, who took over the catching duties today. "When he's on, he's on. Five shut out innings of baseball, our guys come on in the eighth. Too bad he didn't get the win, but he kept enough runs off of the board for us to get the Victory."

A team riddled with "X-Factors" can be dangerous, especially to playoff teams, which right now, Chicago is one. The Indians get back within a game of the White Sox with the victory today, and also, gain a game on the Wild Card leading Yankees, as they stumbled today. The Tribe will try and close out the series with Aaron Laffey, tomorrow to kick off July baseball. The Indians are trying to continue the success of June into the Summer months.

Lineup:

2B Wise 2-5 |
C Pierzynski 2-4 |
RF Dye 2-3 | 1K
LF Quentin 2-4 |
1B Thome 0-4 | 3K
3B Betemit 1-4 | 1K
SS Getz 2-4 | 2K
CF Anderson 0-3 |
PH Fields 0-1 |
DH Stewart 0-4 |

Batting:

2B: C. Quentin (16), J. Dye (15), A. Pierzynski (7), C. Getz (12), W. Betemit (20)
RB: J. Dye (1)
RBI: C. Quentin (55), J. Dye (22), C. Getz (28), W. Betemit (40)

Base Running:

CS: D. Wise (2)

Pitching:

Carrasco (L, 2-6) | 7.2IP | 13H | 5R | 5ER | 4SO | 4.13 ERA |
MacDougal | 0.1IP | 0.63 ERA |



Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: D. Dellucci (9), A. Cabrera (9), K. Shoppach 2 (2)
3B: W. Pena (2)
RBI: D. Dellucci (14), V. Martinez (39), W. Pena (20), K. Shoppach (4), J. Carroll (21)
SAC: J. Carroll

Fielding:

E: M. DeRosa (6)

Pitching:

Westbrook | 6.0IP | 9H | 4R | 4ER | 1BB | 4SO | 3.20 ERA |
Perez | 3.0IP | 2H | 4SO | 3.96 ERA |

Player of the Game:


K. Shoppach

3 for 4 - 2 Doubles, RBI

Next Game:
July 1st, 2009

(48-31) @ (47-32)

[Vinsane]

Monthly Recap:

June Record: 18-9
Longest Win Streak: 8 Games
Longest Losing Streak: 2 Games

Positives:
1. Within Reach of AL Central Crown/Wild Card
2. Three Series Sweeps (Kansas City, Chicago (NL), Pittsburgh)
3. Improvement within organization.

Negatives:
1. Unable to win "Battle of Ohio".
2. 2-4 against White Sox in the Month of June.
3. RISP becoming a problem.

Possible July Moves:

- 1B Michael Aubrey (AA, Akron) needs to step up his game. Or there might not be a spot for him next year. Hitting .200 with 22 hits, 1HR, 9RBI.

- 1B Dewitt Sams (AAA, Columbus) Has displayed some impressive power this month, hitting 6 home runs. Sams however, suffers from a stacked roster at 1B. Possibly a target for trade rumors as the deadline approaches and it looks like Columbus will not be making a AAA playoff push.

- 2B Cedrick Roman (AAA, Columbus) Has looked great this month, batting .341 on 31 hits and 13RBI.

- 3B Booker Neff (AAA, Columbus) Neff has reached the hot list for the second straight month. He'll be called up if needed. With Mark DeRosa's age at the position Booker could be a key piece to the Indians MLB Organization next season.

- P Scott Lewis (AAA, Columbus) Has picked up the ball well on the mound, getting three wins this month puts him as a prime candidate for a call up.

- P Jeremy Sowers (AAA, Columbus) Sowers had a rough outing in June, posting a 5.46 ERA. If this continues he might be looking at playing in Akron, the Indians wanting to gauge talent of their strong farm system.

- P Preston Peralta (AAA, Columbus) Has made some noise as well, collecting 9 Saves for the Clippers. Peralta could be a piece to next season depending on the situation with Kerry Wood. The Indians are looking to use his services out of the bullpen.

- P Cliff Lee (MLB, Cleveland) Lee's struggle continues through June. Averaging 5.34 ERA on the month. Lee could be sliding down the rotation during the All-Star Break.

- P Carl Pavano (MLB, Cleveland) Pavano is in hot water. 7.31 ERA. Rumored to be given another start before a decision is made, scheduled to make two starts before the All-Star Game. Pavano may no longer be a piece to the Tribe's rotation if his struggles continue in July.

- P Jake Westbrook (MLB, Cleveland) Westbrook has been a clutch performer, picking up five wins, two more than "Ace" Pitcher, Fausto Carmona. Westbrook is looking at the two spot in the rotation after the Indians, All-Star Shakeup.

[Vinsane]

Around The League



Standings:

Standings:

[mfbmike]

Holy shit. Tigers on a 9 game win streak? Better watch your ass. They're roaring up beihind you.

[Vinsane]

31st and 1st


Kerry Wood recorded his 31st Save of the season. The Indians won their first series against the White Sox 2-1.

AP - Cleveland, OH - Two 31st made the difference today. If you've been following closely to the Tribe this season. One person on this roster has had a monster year. We often don't like to write about this things, for fear of a Jinx. However, with the situation and the story behind today's win, it seems that this might be the perfect time, in fact, to write about it.

Not only did Wood get his 31st save, but another 31st was earned today, as Ben Francisco hit safely for his 31st game in a row. Francisco joins seven others, tied for twenty-second on the hit streak record. Of course Joe DiMaggio is the all-time streak leader with 56 consecutive games. Jimmy Rollins, Luis Castillo, and Chase Utley are the only modern era ball players to have reached the list, now, one more name can be added.

"Yeah I don't think about those things." said Ben Francisco. "I'm afraid it's going to end, I'm afraid that I'll have an 0-for and end up breaking up the streak. I mean, I know what I'm doing, I know that it's important, I try not to think about it. When your chasing streaks your focused on yourself and not the team."

A win today also captured something else the Indians haven't had, a series win against the White Sox. Which pushed them ultimately to a tie in the AL Central for the second time, this week. The Indians will host Oakland, for a three game series. Go on the road for three game series against the White Sox, and the Tigers. And make a stop Mid-July for the All-Star Break.

Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: B. Anderson (8)
RBI: J. Dye (23)
SF: J. Dye
GIDP: C. Quentin

Fielding:

E: W. Betemit (7)

Pitching:

Colon (L, 1-5) | 7.0IP | 11H | 2R | 2ER | 2SO | 3.90 ERA |
Thornton | 1.0IP | 2H | 1SO | 1.82 ERA |



Lineup:

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

Batting:

3B: M. DeRosa (4)
RBI: V. Martinez (40), B. Francisco (40)
GIDP: R. Garko, J. Peralta

Pitching:

Laffey | 6.0IP | 9H | 1R | 1ER | 6SO | 3.57 ERA |
Chulk (W, 2-0) | 2.0IP | 1H | 1BB | 3SO | 4.63 ERA |
Wood (S, 31) | 1.0IP | 2H | 2.14 ERA |

Player of the Game:


M. DeRosa

2 for 4 - Triple, Single

Next Game:
July 3rd, 2009

(34-45) @ (48-32)

[LC AAU]

Woody with the Save :D. Cubs in 4th place is bad man.

oh well, at least you won. Keep it up.

[Archer]

Lets go Cleveland , first place in the division any day now :D

[Vinsane]

Series Preview:

(34-45) @ (48-32)

Season Series is Tied 0-0.

Probable Starters:

Game 1:

G. Gonzalez (5-3, 4.56 ERA)|F. Carmona (9-1 3.50 ERA)

Game 2:

J. Duchscherer (5-4, 2.26 ERA)|C. Lee (6-3, 5.00 ERA)

Game 3:

S. Gallagher (4-8, 5.17 ERA)|C. Pavano (3-4, 5.85 ERA)


Key Bank's "Keys to Succes"

1.) Home Field - When hosting teams from the West Coast, the Indians need to be ready. Home field is especially important in this series, as Oakland should be rather tired from their trip. Cleveland is hot right now after beating the White Sox, hosting a series win would do wonders for gaining the AL Central Lead.

2.) Break Time - The Indians are not to the break, just yet. Nine more games to play, they don't need to slow down now but charge into the break and take a few days rest while the festivities of the All-Star game go down.

3.) Good Pitching - This will be a pitchers match-up the Oakland A's pitching has been good despite their sub .500 record. As long as the Indians keep runs low on the A's in they should be all right in this series to pull out the win. The Indians will be watching Pavano's performance closely.