It's Tribe Time | A Cleveland Indians Franchise

[The Messenger]

Damn man you're rolling. Pena looks good besides the strikeouts. I may pick him up in my Padres chise as he's still relatively young (27) and the Nats released him.

 

[Vinsane]

Series Preview:

(31-25)

@

(33-22)

Chicago leads the series 2-1.​

Division Standings:

Team|W|L|PCT|GB
White Sox|33|22|.600|--
Indians |31|25|.554|2.5
Tigers |30|24|.556|2.5
Royals |23|30|.440|9.0
Twins |20|35|.364|13.0

Probable Starters:

Game 1:

C. Lee (5-2, 4.85 ERA)

|

M. Buehrle (6-3, 3.54 ERA)

Game 2:
C. Pavano (2-2, 5.37 ERA)

|

J. Danks (4-2, 4.84 ERA)

Game 3:

J. Westbrook (1-1, 4.50 ERA)

|

D. J. Carrasco (1-2, 5.40 ERA)

Key Bank's "Keys to Succes"

1.) Play Smart - The Indians need to not commit errors, throwing mistakes, or take swings at bad pitches. They will need their A++ game if they want to win this series, especially with it being in Chicago. The South Siders have felt pressure from The Indians for the better part of the start to June, putting them away in a three game series will alleviate that pressure.

2.) Focus - With the lead within grasp the Indians can walk away with a .5 game lead if they were to sweep the Sox, what they need to do is at least focus on a 2-1 series win, the Sox take on Detroit in a four game series after that, if Detroit can give them just a little trouble the Indians will have no problem in gaining that game back from the White Sox.

3.) Avoid Pressure - Stay away from the Media, don't read the papers, go into the series like first wasn't on the line. Think about going in and winning a series nothing else. If the Indians can do this, they can be looking at an AL Central lead with the Royals coming to town before hosting Inter-League play.​

 

[Vinsane]

one more reason to get a ps3 lol....nice win, did wood give up a two run homer?

No, Wood gave up two runs off of base hits, if I wrote that it's a mistake. A three run homer was blasted by Cuddyer, ed: facing carmona.

Damn man you're rolling. Pena looks good besides the strikeouts. I may pick him up in my Padres chise as he's still relatively young (27) and the Nats released him.

Thanks, I get in at least a series a day and taking my wife to work this morning I had a little time to jump on the sticks right away. I think I'm pausing here to take care of some stuff around the house, and Pena is a decent pick up, he'll be a bench guy for me when Grady returns though.

 

[Vinsane]

white sox offense is tough

They've charged, beating everybody. This team started off fourth place at the end of April. Tigers have been slipping, I slid into second in the division.

 

[Yawkey Way]

i<3 this chise.

'nuff said.

 

[Vinsane]

When David Met Goliath

Home of the 2008 Central Division Champs.

Teams|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|R|H|E
Cleveland |0|0|0|0|0|0|4|1|0|5|15|0
Chicago |3|4|0|0|0|0|2|0|X|9|13|3

AP - Chicago, IL - Eric Wedge picked the wrong time to try a new formula, the Indians new line-up needs more retooling than the old one. Wedge has taken criticism from other media about his management decisions with the Indians. And with a few players needing a day off he decided, now was a good time.

No David, you don't need a new pair of shoes, you need to produce some runs. The Indians have been an evolving team over the course of the season, being bad in areas, being good in areas, being bad once good in areas... You get the picture. They're struggling to find their identity. Cleveland needs to decide if they're contender or pretender, and they need to do it against the AL Central Leading White Sox.

"A season can be based solely on how you do against the leaders. If you play like a mediocre team, you get a mediocre record." Commented Eric Wedge. "We've got to put runs on the board when playing teams with this line-up, we have to face them like they were the Yankees. We have to step up with bats or we're not going to be calling ourselves Central Leaders anytime soon." Added Victor Martinez.

Perhaps it was the rough start from Cliff Lee? Lee got rocked for seven runs, off of seven hits, in two, just two, innings of work. Said Lee, "Nothing was there tonight, nothing. I can't explain it, can't defend it, certainly can't apologize for it." Well someone needs to start answering back, the Indians need these wins. They continue the series tomorrow with Carl Pavano on the mound.

Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: B. Francisco 2 (13), J. Barfield (2), J. Carroll (7)
RBI: J. Peralta (36), M. DeRosa 2 (31), J. Barfield (3)
GIDP: N. Johnson

Pitching:

Lee (L, 5-3) | 2.0IP | 7H | 7R | 7ER | 4SO | 5.60 ERA |
Smith | 3.0IP | 2H | 2SO | 2.30 ERA |
Chulk | 2.0IP | 4H | 2R | 2ER | 1SO | 5.52 ERA |
Betancourt | 1.0IP | 1SO | 3.50 ERA |

Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: C. Quentin (11), A. Pierzynski (4), J. Fields (7), W. Betemit (12)
HR: J. Fields (10)
RBI: J. Owens (11), A. Ramirez (31), C. Quentin (35), A. Pierzynski 2 (26), J. Fields 4 (31)
SF: A. Ramirez

Fielding:

E: A. Ramirez (9), C. Getz 2 (4)

Base Running:

SB:

Pitching:

Buehrle (W, 7-3) | 7.1IP | 11H | 5R | 2ER | 2SO | 3.44 ERA |
Dotel | 1.2IP | 1H | 3SO | 3.42 ERA |

Player of the Game:

J. Fields

2 for 4 - HR, Double

Next Game:
June 6th, 2009

(31-26)

@

(34-22)​

 

[Vinsane]

Reason For Concern?

Shoppach, Lee, are they still keys to the puzzle?​

AP - Cleveland, OH - As the Indians turn the page to another day in baseball, they recieved word from team doctors that Kelly Shoppach's recovery time will need to be bumped, from 1-6 days, to 1-2 weeks. An unfortunate set back in Shoppach's rehab has the catcher sitting the bench even longer than expected. Also, he is running out of DL days for his first 60 day stint.

Another concern that has arose in the last twenty-four hours is the state of Cliff Lee. Lee has struggled in his last few starts, and perhaps the AL Cy Young winner is finally out of gas? As the number two man on the team Lee has faltered from his hot start to the season, it seems as though the Indians did the right thing in demoting him from the "ace" position.

The Indians lack of energy is showing early in the summer, without the cool months guys tire faster, need subs and need to get days off more frequently. While the Indians would love to accomidate these players, they are finding it harder to do so with guys like Shoppach and Sizemore on the DL, therefore taking up two spots on the roster that could be set for subs, instead, it leaves the bench depleted.

Many wonder if the Indians would move Lee? Or if anyone would want to deal with the Tribe after their shenanigans they pulled with Washington just weeks ago. Ironic now that we look back on that trade to find the Indians with a struggling starter, ones whose woes could easily be fixed in the form of Pedro Martinez. It raises concern with fans if the Indians are in fact a contender for the AL Central title as they have been unable to produce this season.

Then there are the fans that know this is Tribe baseball. They suffered last season with a depleted bench while key members of the organization were on the DL, one of those guys being leading all-star vote getter at catcher, Victor Martinez. While the Indians continue to work through the injuries try to remember that this is a club that a season ago struggled to find .400 ball let alone, be above .500 in June with the injuries. So this ball club has obviously learned how to deal.

While we wait for Grady, and Kelly, while we worry for the health and production of our main man, Cliff Lee. Don't forget that we're far from done on this season, plenty of dramatic baseball left to play. Questions will be answered, new questions will arise and we will continue to round the bases.

 

[T.Dot]

reat article Vinsane, hopefully Shoppach is back soon to provide some O for you.
Win the next two games versus the Sox because then you'll be only a half game out of first.

 

[MRN]

Damn, hell of a win over the White Trash.

 

[Houston]

:wave:


A little late to the party but count me in.

 

[Vinsane]

reat article Vinsane, hopefully Shoppach is back soon to provide some O for you.
Win the next two games versus the Sox because then you'll be only a half game out of first.

Yeah, waiting on Kelly to get back. Bench is depleted and guys are playing tired, I don't like that mix.

Damn, hell of a win over the White Trash.

Thank you, but I lost.

:wave:


A little late to the party but count me in.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Vinsane]

Padding The Lead

Wedge's disbelief is in his teams play.

Teams|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|R|H|E
Cleveland |3|0|0|0|0|0|2|0|0|5|11|1
Chicago |0|3|1|3|1|0|1|1|X|10|18|0

AP - Chicago, IL - "When your opponent only fails to score in two innings, you know you did something wrong." Said Wedge after a horrible 10-5 loss to the White Sox. "We're trying to catch them, we get this close and they take it away. We can't continue this type of play against them if we wish to even sniff that Central lead." Wedge added.

Everything was going well for Cleveland. Leaving the first inning with five hits and three runs. Then the wheels fell off, or more like, Carl Pavano fell off. The Indians starters are beginning to struggle, that of course is not a good sign when you're Cleveland. Already they've demoted one of their FA acquisitions this year when they let Anthony Reyes drop. Aaron Laffey has been decent, now Lee and Pavano struggle. Without a steady course this boat may sink before August.

"We're hurt, we're tired, we can't hang with them in this shape." Added new comer Nick Johnson. "I came to this team to win, and we've got the ingredients to do just that, but you can't run and catch, and bat, and run some more when you're tired, that's what this team is tired, we need Kelly, we need Grady, we need depth."

While that might be so, the Indians also need to muster the strength to get a win in Chicago to avoid the sweep tomorrow against them. Jake Westbrook will appear on the mound against the Sox and hope to at least scrape a win out of this already lost series.

Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: J. Willingham (15), V. Martinez (11), B. Francisco (14)
3B: N. Johnson (1)
RBI: J. Willingham (39), V. Martinez (28), N. Johnson (27), B. Francisco (22), J. Barfield (4)
GIDP: A. Cabrera

Fielding:

E: J. Barfield (4)

Pitching:

Pavano (L, 2-3) | 3.2IP | 10H | 7R | 7ER | 1SO | 6.14 ERA |
Perez | 2.1IP | 4H | 1R | 1ER | 1SO | 4.18 ERA |
Betancourt | 2.0IP | 4H | 2R | 2ER | 1SO | 4.00 ERA |

Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: A. Ramirez (14), J. Thome (6), A. Pierzynski (5), W. Betemit (13), D. Wise 3 (11)
RBI: C. Quentin 2 (37), A. Pierzynski 2 (28), C. Getz 2 (24), W. Betemit (31), D. Wise 2 (9), B. Anderson (11)
SF: C. Quentin, C. Getz

Pitching:

Danks (W, 5-2) | 7.2IP | 11H | 5R | 5ER | 4SO | 4.96 ERA |
Dotel | 1.1IP | 1H | 3.24 ERA |

Player of the Game:

D. Wise

4 for 4 - 3 Doubles, 2RBI

Next Game:
June 7th, 2009

(31-27)

@

(35-22)​

 

[mfbmike]

Yeah, waiting on Kelly to get back. Bench is depleted and guys are playing tired, I don't like that mix.

Sounds like a call up for FA signing is in order. I hate the white sox. Mostly because they beat up pitching staffs.

STOP LOSING!

 

[Vinsane]

Lee's really starting to struggle

I'm a little worried about him, I know I can't demote him because he's out of minor options, meaning he'd have to clear waivers. I don't see someone passing on him.

Sounds like a call up for FA signing is in order. I hate the white sox. Mostly because they beat up pitching staffs.

STOP LOSING!

Demand and ye shall receive....

 

[Vinsane]

When They Only Needed One.

Westbrook delivered to keep the Tribe within striking distance.

Teams|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|R|H|E
Cleveland |1|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|1|14|0
Chicago |0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|2|0

AP - Chicago, IL - The Indians were able to avoid the series sweep against the White Sox. Behind the strong arm and cool head of Jake Westbrook, of course. The Tribe who have struggled to keep runs off of the board didn't have to worry about it today, as Jake, kept runners off of the base paths. At one point he had retired 14 batters in a row before surrendering his second, and final hit of the night. Westbrook was able to fan eight batters in his 8 innings of work.

"It feels great, to know you can make a difference." Said Westbrook. "I've been sitting down in the minors, knowing, I'm a big league player, knowing that I belong in this rotation. A game like today proves that, and it feels real good." We're glad, we were worried too. The Indians have faltered against the White Sox, this being only their second win against the club in six games. The White Sox will be back at the end of the month for a three game series in Cleveland.

The difference for the Indians came in the first when Ben Francisco sent a solo shot over the left field wall, with all the offense from the Indians today it was the only run scored, setting up Kerry Wood in the ninth for his twenty first save on the year. Wood delivered and the Indians halted the skid to the White Sox.

Cleveland heads home for a nine game stand against Kansas City before inter-league play starts. Cleveland will host St. Louis, and Milwaukee to open Inter-league play. They will travel to Chicago to meet the Cubs, then to Pittsburgh. Cincinnati will end inter-league play for the Tribe on a three game stand at Cleveland. This leaves the Indians to face the White Sox again, this time they will meet six times in two weeks before the All-Star game July 14th.

Lineup:

2B Cabrera 0-5 |
CF Francisco 3-4 |
3B DeRosa 2-4 |
C Martinez 2-4 |
LF Willingham 0-4 |
1B Garko 2-4 |
RF Pena 1-4 |
DH Carroll 2-4 |
SS Peralta 2-4 |

Batting:

2B: J. Peralta (7), M. DeRosa 2 (22)
HR: B. Francisco (5)
RBI: B. Francisco (23)
GIDP: J. Willingham, M. DeRosa, W. Pena

Base Running:

CS: J. Peralta (1)

Pitching:

Westbrook (W, 3-1) | 8.0IP | 2H | 8SO | 2.54 ERA |
Wood (S, 21) | 1.0IP | 1SO | 2.66 ERA |

Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: W. Betemit (14)

Pitching:

Carrasco (L, 1-3) | 7.0IP | 10H | 1R | 1ER | 4.40 ERA |
Linebrink | 2.0IP | 4H | 2.82 ERA |

Player of the Game:

J. Westbrook

8.0 Innings 2 Hits 8 Strikeouts

Next Game:
June 9th, 2009

(25-31)

@

(32-27)​

 

[Vinsane]

Series Preview:

(25-31)

@

(33-22)

Cleveland leads the Season Series 7-2.​

Division Standings:

Team|W|L|PCT|GB
White Sox|36|23|.610|--
Indians |32|27|.542|4.0
Tigers |31|27|.535|4.5
Royals |25|31|.446|9.5
Twins |22|37|.373|14.0

Probable Starters:

Game 1:

G. Meche (3-4, 3.34 ERA)

|

A. Laffey (5-4, 3.53 ERA)

Game 2:
B. Bannister (4-4, 4.75 ERA)

|

F. Carmona (7-1, 2.69 ERA)

Game 3:

L. Hochevar (2-5, 3.55 ERA)

|

C. Lee (5-3, 5.60 ERA)

Key Bank's "Keys to Succes"

1.) Good Pitching - Aaron Laffey can't let his last outing affect him. Cliff Lee needs to turn his performance around, and Fausto needs to continue his dominance. The perfect team for all of this is Kansas City, can't match power, can't match speed, can't match pitching. Cleveland's starters need to deliver in this one and bring another series win home.

2.) Continue Dominance - a 7-2 record looks good on paper. As long as the Indians continue to gain wins from the bottom of the barrel in the Central they'll be able to stay on pace with the Tigers and White Sox. While all three wins are not important they would help heading into inter-league play to round out the month.

3.) Defense - Good defense and minimal mistakes are the best way to handle Kansas City, don't let them, or keep them in the game. Focus on beating this team and do it, don't toy with them because they're Kansas City, destroy them, because they're Kansas City.​

 

[Vinsane]

It Needed Extras.

Victor Martinez hits a single, and the Tribe win.

Teams|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|R|H|E
Kansas City |0|0|0|2|0|0|0|0|1|0|4|10|1
Cleveland |1|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|3|1|5|12|0

AP - Cleveland, OH - After just sealing a 1-0 victory against the White Sox the Indians were on the verge of losing 4-1 to the Royals, then, thunder struck. With the game on the line it was double after double to push runs across. The Indians were stopping at nothing to win this game in nine. However, that's not the way it always goes in big leagues.

The Indians charge was cut short and they were forced to play extras. The top of the tenth seen the Royals threaten but they were unable to push the runners across the plate, leaving a man stranded at third. Then it was the Indians turn. With two outs Mark DeRosa sent a shot to the outfield. On a dive Coco Crisp missed the ball and it rolled to the wall, as DeRosa kept running he legged out the triple, the ball was thrown in, now all it took was a leader.

Victor Martinez, who was a question mark at the beginning of the season has turned himself from All-Questions, to All-Star. The leading vote getter for Catchers, stepped up to the plate. And with the swing of the bat delivered the single needed to push the winning run across the plate and the Indians won, again, in walk-off fashion. Victor Martinez was asked about the looming all-star game next month. "It will be nice, to go." said Martinez. "I hope the voters in Cleveland though push some more Indians into the All-Star game, it would be nice."

Right now Victor is not alone, as the results have been published since they've been tallying ballots, one Indians, Fausto Carmona will be joining him, most likely, as the Starter. "I'm excited if I get there." Said Fausto. "To have a season like I'm having, and be shut out of something like that? I don't know how I would take it." Fausto was asked, perhaps, he is getting ahead of himself? "Not at all, when you believe in yourself, and in this team, you'll see that we're not just optimistic, but realist too. I'll be there, I'm sure." Well Fausto shouldn't count his eggs in the basket just yet.

The Indians escaped Kansas City tonight, tomorrow Fausto steps on the mound, and then the struggling Cliff Lee. If the Indians could exit this series, the series winners, they would be looking rather good heading into Inter-League play.

Lineup:

LF DeJesus 1-5 |
3B Gordon 1-5 | 1K
1B Butler 1-5 | 1K
RF Guillen 3-4 |
DH Teahen 1-3 |
CF Crisp 1-4 | 1K
C Olivo 1-4 | 2K
2B Bloomquiest 1-4 | 1K
SS Pena Jr. 0-4 |

Batting:

2B: A. Gordon (10), B. Butler (11), M. Teahen (9)
RBI: C. Crisp (22), J. Guillen (18), M. Olivo (16), W. Bloomquist (12)

Fielding:

E: T. Pena Jr (10)

Base Running:

CS: D. DeJesus (2)

Pitching:

Bale | 6.2IP | 4H | 1R | 1ER | 4SO | 2.54 ERA |
Farnsworth (H, 4) | 1.0IP | 1H | 2.00 ERA |
Cruz (H, 5) | 0.1IP | 1H | 1SO | 2.63 ERA |
Soria (BS, 3) | 0.1IP | 4H | 3R | 3ER | 4.32 ERA |
Tejeda (L, 1-2) | 1.1IP | 2H | 1R | 1ER | 2SO | 3.57 ERA |

Lineup:

2B Cabrera 0-5 | 2K
CF Francisco 2-5 |
3B DeRosa 1-5 | 1K
C Martinez 3-5 |
LF Willingham 1-4 |
1B Johnson 2-4
PR-1B Barfield 0-0 |
RF Pena 1-4 |
SS Peralta 1-3 | 1K
DH Carroll 1-4 | 3K

Batting:

2B: J. Willingham (16), V. Martinez (12), N. Johnson (10), W. Pena (7), B. Francisco (15)
3B: V. Martinez (3), M. DeRosa (2)
RBI: J. Willingham (40), V. Martinez 2 (30), N. Johnson (28), W. Pena (8)
SAC: J. Peralta

Pitching:

Laffey | 5.0IP | 5H | 2R | 2ER | 1BB | 5SO | 3.53 ERA |
Meloan (W, 4-1) | 5.0IP | 5H | 2R | 2ER | 1SO | 3.89 ERA |

Player of the Game:

V. Martinez

3 for 5 - Triple, Double

Next Game:
June 10th, 2009

(25-32)

@

(33-27)​

 

[Vinsane]

Pesky Royals Stay Around.

Wood, Martinez celebrate Wood's 22nd save on the year.

Teams|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|R|H|E
Kansas City |0|0|0|1|3|0|1|2|0|7|10|1
Cleveland |1|0|0|0|3|0|2|3|X|9|18|0

AP - Cleveland, OH - Like a nat at a Bar-B-Que, the Royals just won't go away. For the second night in a row the Indians had to rally late. Scoring five runs over two innings to pull ahead and seal the deal for a Cleveland squad who picked up their third win in a row behind the arms of Carmona, Betancourt, and Wood. "I was upset I couldn't get the win." Said Fausto Carmona who left an inning before the Indians took the lead. "I gave up too many runs, I tried to keep it close but they went yard on me. A pitch or two hung too high and they blasted it over the wall."

The Indians relievers who were a bane on the team early on have taken an identity of mad bulls in a pen. "We knew what people were saying early on, that we'd of won more games if the bullpen wasn't messing up." commented Rafael Betancourt. "We took it personally, improved, now we're pitching with a chip on our shoulder. No one shows more intensity out of the pen than Kerry does though."

Wood who was an off-season addition to the Tribe came to Cleveland for one reason, to be their man. To be the featured guy, he also seen a team on the verge of returning to the playoffs, and maybe, a few pieces away from a World Series title. "It's still too early to be talking October baseball." said Wood. "However, if we get healthy and are playing like this late, beware, Cleveland is on the rise again."

We're not sure how much of a "rise" Cleveland is on, still trailing the White Sox in the Central who are currently beating up on the Detroit Tigers before Inter-league play. The Indians try to get the sweep and improve to 10-2 against the Royals as Cliff Lee, who has struggled, takes the mound tomorrow night. The Royals of late are showing that it won't be an easy task for Lee to get back on track.

Lineup:

LF DeJesus 2-5 |
3B Gordon 1-3 |
DH Guillen 1-4 |
1B Jacobs 2-4 | 1K
RF Teahen 1-4 | 1K
CF Crisp 0-4 |
C Olivo 1-3 | 1K
2B Bloomquist 2-4 | 1K
SS Pena Jr. 0-3 | 2K
PH Callaspo 0-1 | 1K

Batting:

2B: A. Gordon (11)
3B: D. DeJesus (6)
HR: M. Jacobs (13), M. Olivo (5)
RBI: D. DeJesus 2 (23), M. Jacobs 3 (33), A. Gordon (29), M. Olivo (17)
SF: A. Gordon

Fielding:

E: M. Jacobs (5)

Pitching:

Bannister (L, 4-5) | 8.0IP | 18H | 9R | 9ER | 5SO | 5.37 ERA |

Lineup:

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


Batting:

2B: N. Johnson (11), R. Garko (11), M. DeRosa (23), W. Pena (8), B. Francisco 2 (17)
3B: W. Pena (1)
RBI: A. Cabrera 2 (16), R. Garko (27), M. DeRosa 3 (34), W. Pena (9), B. Francisco 2 (25)
GIDP: A. Cabrera, W. Pena

Pitching:

Carmona | 7.2IP | 9H | 7R | 7ER | 1BB | 6SO | 3.17 ERA |
Betancourt (W, 2-1) | 0.2IP | 3.90 ERA |
Wood (S, 22) | 0.2IP | 1H | 1SO | 2.59 ERA |

Player of the Game:

W. Pena

2 for 4 - Triple, Double

Next Game:
June 11th, 2009

(25-33)

@

(34-27)​

 

[Vinsane]

The Comeback Kids, Strike Again!

Lee took the mound, and looked much better.

Teams|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|R|H|E
Kansas City |0|1|0|0|0|1|2|0|0|4|7|1
Cleveland |0|0|0|0|0|3|5|0|X|8|13|1

AP - Cleveland, OH - "You've got to take it one game at a time." The words of Indians Manager Eric Wedge. "You can't always come back like this, but I'll take it. You can't always expect to be down and score eight runs in two innings, but I'll take it. You can't always depend on wins like this, but I'll take it." What about Cliff Lee's performance skip, would you take that too? "Yeah" said Wedge. "I'll take it."

Cliff Lee appeared like the Cliff Lee of not 08, or 07, more like the Cliff Lee of 05, 04. Not that Cliff is getting younger, not that it's a curious case of arm strength. Just that old Cliff Lee from a couple years ago, the one that didn't look good, but he didn't look bad either. That's what you could call Lee's performance on the mound today, one that left you with a little more desire, but a step in the right direction.

Once again, for the Indians. The Bulls needed to deliver the W, Cliff Lee pitched 6.0 innings, only giving up two runs. In comes Joe Smith with a 3-2 lead. Cliff Lee would get the dub, smith would pitch a few innings, Wood records his 23rd, we sweep the Royals, and start inter-league play, right? Wrong! Lee left, Smith blew it on a two run shot, and the Indians put up more runs than needed, just to make sure Kansas City didn't come back.

"This series leaves me scratching my head." Said one Wood. "I'm sitting in the bullpen and everything is going good, then boom, we've gotta score runs in bunches, late, to win. That's not good baseball, but we're getting it done. That's good on the record. And with the White Sox beating up on the Tigers, we needed this sweep." The Indians certainly needed something out of this series, no less than a win, and they got the sweep.

Cleveland opens up inter-league play in their ball park, meaning the NL gets to utilize their DH. First up is a three game series with the St. Louis Cardinals. Going into this match-up the Tribe needed all the wins they could get, St. Louis is no cake walk and if the Indians want to get a real good test, this is the team to do it. Carl Pavano will open the gates on the mound for the Tribe in their quest for their fifth win in a row.

Lineup:

LF DeJesus 1-4 |
3B Gordon 0-4 | 1K
1B Butler 1-4 |
RF Guillen 0-4 | 2K
DH Teahen 0-3 |
CF Crisp 1-4 | 1K
C Olivo 2-4 | 1K
1B Bloomquist 2-4 | 2K
SS Pena Jr. 0-3 | 1K

Batting:

2B: B. Butler (12), W. Bloomquist (4)
3B: C. Crisp (4)
HR: D. DeJesus (6)
RBI: D. DeJesus 2 (25), M. Olivo (18), M. Teahen (12)
SF: M. Teahen

Fielding:

E: T. Pena Jr. (11)

Pitching:

Hochevar | 6.1IP | 8H | 4R | 4ER | 2SO | 3.75 ERA |
Farnsworth (L, 3-2) | 0.1IP | 4H | 4R | 4ER | 1BB | 1SO | 2.97 ERA |
Waechter | 1.1IP | 1H | 1SO | 2.92 ERA |

Lineup:

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

Batting:

2B: J. Willingham (17), V. Martinez (13), N. Johnson (12), M. DeRosa (24)
RBI: J. Willingham 3 (43), V. Martinez (31), N. Johnson (29), M. DeRosa (35), W. Pena (10), B. Francisco (26)
GIDP: A. Cabrera

Fielding:

E: C. Lee (1)

Pitching:

Lee | 6.0IP | 5H | 2R | 2ER | 5SO | 5.40 ERA |
Smith (W, 2-2) | 2.1IP | 2H | 2R | 2ER | 1SO | 2.67 ERA |
Wood | 0.2IP | 2SO | 2.52 ERA |

Player of the Game:

V. Martinez

2 for 3 - Double, RBI

Next Game:
June 12th, 2009

(34-29)

@

(35-27)​

 

[Vinsane]

100 Games To Go!​

AP - Cleveland, OH - If the first sixty-two games told us the entire story. The Indians would finish 93-69, four games out of first in the AL Central, and 1.5 games behind the Yankees for the Wild Card. Another stellar performance the Indians put in would be snuffed out by the White Sox of Chicago and those damn Yankees, sometimes, it sucks to be a baseball fan. Luckily for us, the first sixty-two, tell us nothing about the next one-hundred.

With one-hundred games to go this season, the Indians start their inter-league play against the Cardinals of St. Louis who two seasons ago, delivered to their city, a World Series Championship, one such Championship that has eluded Cleveland for over fifty years. The last time the Indians won a Championship, they were known as the Cleveland Spiders. How many of you remember that? I certainly don't, it was well before my time.

To think that this season could become so much more for Cleveland and it's fan, is a fascinating feeling. One that can only be a mix of emotions. Joy, Fear, Anticipation, Aggravation, and Euphoria all wrapped into a neat little package known as Major League Baseball. Every fan dreads the final one hundred because seeding will be decided, pennants chased, and eventually the one moment every fan wishes for. Their team hoisting the trophy above their heads.

If the first sixty-two told us anything about our Cleveland team, it's that it's going to be a bumpy ride. Slowly we've picked up steam over the past month and half, gaining ground on those who used to lead us by a mile, now cut down to only a few inches. While we continue to bite at the heels of the White Sox, we draw closer to the Yankees, sneaking in as a possible Wild Card. It's not too far of a stretch to believe that the playoffs could be represented by two teams in the Central, is it?

While we close the book on the first sixty-two, the question begged to be asked. Will we enjoy the next one-hundred? Will we feel euphoric, or will we feel depressed. Elated that our team made the post-season? Or will we feel dreary of another long winter? Only the next one-hundred can tell us, only the next one-hundred will decide. The next one-hundred starts with the Cardinals and finishes with the Red Sox, the countdown starts now, and like the old baseball slogan says, "I live for this!".