It's Tribe Time | A Cleveland Indians Franchise

[Vinsane]

Save Us Kerry Wood!

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

Teams|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|R|H|E
Cleveland |0|1|0|2|0|1|0|0|0|4|11|0
Pittsburgh |0|1|0|0|0|0|0|1|0|2|9|0

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.

Teams|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|R|H|E
Cleveland |0|1|0|0|0|1|0|0|1|3|18|0
Pittsburgh |0|0|0|0|0|0|0|1|0|1|4|0

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.

Teams|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|R|H|E
Cincinnati |2|0|0|0|1|2|0|0|0|5|10|2
Cleveland |0|0|1|3|0|0|2|0|X|6|15|0

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.

 

[Vinsane]

Who Said It's Lonely At The Top?

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

Teams|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|R|H|E
Cincinnati |0|1|0|0|0|0|0|2|0|3|7|0
Cleveland |0|0|0|0|2|2|2|0|X|6|12|1

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.

Teams|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|R|H|E
Cincinnati |1|0|0|0|0|2|0|2|0|1|6|9|0
Cleveland |0|1|3|0|1|0|0|0|0|0|5|19|3

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:

AL Central|W|L|PCT|GB
White Sox|47|30|.610|--
Indians |46|31|.597|1.0
Tigers |41|35|.540|5.5
Royals |35|39|.473|10.5
Twins |29|48|.377|18.0

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.

Teams|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|R|H|E
Chicago |0|0|4|0|1|0|0|1|0|0|0|3|9|17|1
Cleveland |0|0|0|0|0|1|1|4|0|0|0|0|6|20|1

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.

Teams|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|R|H|E
Chicago |0|0|0|0|0|4|0|0|0|4|11|0
Cleveland |1|1|0|0|0|0|0|3|X|5|13|1

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:

East|W|L|PCT|GB|STRK|L10
Red Sox |51|26|.662|--|L1|6-4
Yankees|48|31|.608|4.0|L1|6-4
Orioles |43|34|.558|8.0|W1|5-5
Rays |42|38|.525|10.5|W6|8-2
Blue Jays |38|42|.475|14.5|L5|5-5

Central|W|L|PCT|GB|STRK|L10
White Sox|48|31|.608|--|L1|4-6
Indians |47|32|.595|1.0|W1|8-2
Tigers |43|35|.551|4.5|W9|9-1
Royals |36|40|.474|10.5|W1|7-3
Twins |30|49|.380|18.0|L1|5-5

West|W|L|PCT|GB|STRK|L10
Angels |38|39|.494|--|L1|5-5
Mariners |33|43|.434|4.5|W2|3-7
Athletics |33|45|.423|5.5|L2|2-8
Rangers |32|45|.416|6.0|W1|6-4

Wild Card|W|L|PCT|GB|STRK|L10
Yankees|48|31|.608|--|L1|6-4
Indians |47|32|.595|1.0|W1|8-2
Orioles |43|34|.558|4.0|W1|5-5
Tigers |43|35|.551|4.5|W9|9-1
Rays |42|38|.525|6.5|W6|8-2

Standings:​

East|W|L|PCT|GB|STRK|L10
Braves |48|29|.623|--|L1|4-6
Mets |39|39|.500|9.5|W1|3-7
Phillies |36|40|.474|11.5|W4|6-4
Nationals |32|45|.416|16.0|W1|5-5
Marlins |29|50|.367|20.0|L1|3-7

Central|W|L|PCT|GB|STRK|L10
Brewers |44|33|.571|--|L1|6-4
Cardinals |43|38|.531|3.0|W1|5-5
Reds |38|38|.500|5.5|W2|4-6
Cubs |38|39|.494|6.0|L1|3-7
Astros |32|45|.416|12.0|L8|1-9
Pirates |23|56|.291|22.0|W1|2-8

West|W|L|PCT|GB|STRK|L10
Dodgers |47|30|.610|--|L1|5-5
Padres |42|34|.553|4.5|W4|8-2
Rockies |42|35|.546|5.0|W1|7-3
Diamondbacks |36|42|.462|11.5|L1|3-7
Giants |34|42|.447|12.5|L1|6-4

Wild Card|W|L|PCT|GB|STRK|L10
Padres |42|34|.553|--|W4|8-2
Rockies |42|35|.546|0.5|W1|7-3
Cardinals |43|38|.531|2.5|W1|5-5
Mets |39|39|.500|4.0|W1|3-7
Reds |38|38|.500|4.0|W2|4-6