Indians Tidbits (2006 season)..

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

3/12/06

Indians spring training report

Berth still up for grabs

Four pitchers remain in running for final job in Tribe bullpen

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. - Just past the halfway point in spring training, no clear-cut favorite has emerged in the competition to secure the final berth in the Indians' bullpen.
Might as well list the candidates in alphabetical order: Andrew Brown, Jason Davis, Danny Graves and Steve Karsay.
``As far as making evaluations, we need to get to the middle of March,'' General Manager Mark Shapiro said late last week. ``After the split-squad day (Tuesday), there will be a significant cut. Right now, we have to temper our evaluations.''
None of the four pitchers vying for attention in the bullpen is likely to be sliced from the roster or sent to the minors Tuesday. By then, Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge might be ready to make preliminary (though probably unannounced) decisions on the vacant relief spot.
The man who wins the job won't be judged on his results in spring training but rather his stuff, his command of the strike zone, his demeanor on the mound and his confidence.
Nevertheless, performance in exhibition games means something. So far, Davis has pitched four times, giving up four earned runs (six total), eight hits and two walks in eight innings. He has also struck out five.
In four appearances, Graves has allowed two earned runs (three in all), five hits and two walks with two strikeouts in four innings.
Karsay has given up three earned runs, three hits and one walk with two strikeouts in four innings.
Brown also has pitched in four games, yielding two earned runs, four hits and two walks, striking out five, in four innings.
If Davis doesn't make the team, Wedge and Shapiro will determine whether to use him as a starter or reliever at Triple-A, another decision that has yet to be made.
Karsay is coming off a three-year ordeal after undergoing surgery on his shoulder. Graves was released by the Cincinnati Reds in mid-year, when his velocity dropped to the low 80s, and his effectiveness disappeared.
The Indians never have been able to decide whether Davis should start or relieve, which probably has contributed to his erratic development.
Brown, who came to the Tribe in the deal that sent Milton Bradley to the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, was converted from starter to reliever as soon as he got to Buffalo.
``Andrew has taken to the bullpen, but he's still pretty new at doing this,'' Wedge said Saturday.
Brown has been one of the more impressive players in camp. In his third outing, he was throwing 94-96 mph fastballs, dominating batters when he hit his spots, but that's the area of concern for Wedge and Shapiro.
``He needs to be more consistent and throw the ball downhill,'' Wedge said. ``He has the ability to work the ball down, but he needs to do that right away when he comes into a game.''
Whether Brown makes the team might depend on his ability to throw quality strikes rather than simply throw the ball over the plate.
``He's shown that he wants to aggressively compete for the job,'' Shapiro said. ``But ask me in three weeks if he's still doing that and if someone else has backed off.''
In Brown doesn't force his way onto the roster now, it's only a matter of time before he gets an opportunity.
``He's going to contribute to this team either from Day 1 or at some point this season,'' Shapiro said.
Consistency hasn't been Graves' problem this spring. Moreover, he has regained his normal velocity, throwing 86-89 mph and sometimes touching 90.
What went wrong for him last year?
``I think Danny was used quite a bit,'' Wedge said. ``He might have gotten worn down. Now, he looks strong, and his stuff is playing like that.''
Conventional wisdom concerning Graves holds that his decline began when the Reds decided to make him a starter after he saved 32 games in 2002.
The experiment lasted only one season, and Graves came back to save 41 games in 2004. Last year was a disaster, though, possibly because too many innings over the previous two seasons had been too much for his arm.
Karsay isn't throwing with the same velocity that he did when he was with the Tribe from 1998-2001, but his fastball has hummed toward the plate at 90 mph most of the spring.
Moreover, his velocity could increase by a couple of miles an hour once the season gets under way.
Davis' performance during spring games has been inconsistent, but he has the kind of live arm that can give him an edge if he settles in. He retired all six batters he faced Saturday, one on strikes.
``That definitely was Davis' best outing,'' Wedge said.
One reason, Davis did not try to throw too hard.
``His stuff is more electric when he doesn't give as much effort and overthow,'' Wedge said.
Three is enough
The Indians got all their hits in the sixth inning to take a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Saturday at Al Lang Field.
Through five innings, Devil Rays pitchers were throwing a no-hitter, but in the fifth, the Tribe got three hits and benefited from three walks and an error to score all their runs and wipe out a 3-0 deficit.
The biggest hits for the Indians were Jhonny Peralta's two-run double and a two-run single by Franklin Gutierrez.
Flashy first baseman
Ryan Garko, playing first base, dug two throws out of the dirt and made a diving stop of a line drive.
``He made a hell of a play on that dive,'' Wedge said. ``The ball had left-handed topspin and was speeding up as it got to him.''
Garko is a converted catcher just learning how to play first.
What if?
If a player comes to Wedge and said that he's uncomfortable batting in a particular spot in the order, what does the manager do?
``I've had that happen multiple times,'' Wedge said. ``I had conversations with Omar Vizquel when I wanted him to lead off. After a while, I just knew it wasn't going to work.
``If a player is uncomfortable in a certain place in the order, you shouldn't do it unless your (offense) is going to be notably better. If there is a gray area, don't do it.''
Quick recovery
Brandon Phillips fouled a ball hard off his shin on Friday but was in the lineup against Tampa Bay. ``He went home and iced it four or five times,'' Wedge said. ``It's still sore, but he's back in there.''
Familiar face
Former Tribe slugger Russell Branyan is in the Devil Rays' camp. He is believed to have a chance to make the club, but it's far from a sure thing.
Branyan is batting .333 (4-for-12) with two doubles.
Marching onward
The Indians return to Chain O' Lakes Park today to face the Yankees at 1 p.m. It will be televised on some cable channels on a delayed basis (4:30 p.m.).
C.C. Sabathia will start against Shawn Chacon. Guillermo Mota, Steve Karsay and Danny Graves will work out of the Indians bullpen.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

3/12/06

Lots to love with Sizemore

Sunday, March 12, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By Andy Call Repository sports writer[/FONT]


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SIZEMORE​

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WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Ben Broussard has gotten used to the idea of being in the same neighborhood as a celebrity.
The Cleveland Indians first baseman was gathering items at his locker in the team’s spring training complex in Winter Haven, Fla., when Grady Sizemore walked in and sat in front of the adjacent locker. Sizemore is the team’s young, handsome, talented center fielder who soon could become the face of the franchise.
His formerly long and curly locks had been discarded in favor of baseball’s traditional close-cropped spring-training haircut. The new “do” had created a considerable stir, both in the clubhouse and in the team’s stunned marketing department.
“The worst thing about this,” Broussard deadpanned, “is now all these girls are going to be showing up at Jacobs Field with their heads shaved.”
Such is the degree of loyalty Sizemore, 23, already has inspired in his fan base. His talent and all-out effort first won over Manager Eric Wedge. Then, his humility won over his teammates. And, when his face began appearing on newspapers and TVs, fans (especially females) jumped on board.
When Omar Vizquel was shown the door after the 2004 season, the Indians wondered how many years would pass before another player with such widespread charisma would appear in Cleveland.
There wasn’t even time to count to one.
“Grady is a very special player,” Wedge said, “and a very special young man.”
Sizemore’s contributions on the field were tangible — a .289 average, 22 home runs, 81 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. Chicago White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen once called Sizemore the best player in the American League’s Central Division.
“If you hear stuff like that, you know you’re making somebody’s job tough,” Sizemore said. “That’s a great compliment.”
Sizemore’s contributions off the field are becoming tangible as well. Last year, the team caught wind of Sizemore’s appeal to women and began peddling “Mrs. Sizemore” t-shirts. They were a hot item — 200 sold on the first day, 600 in the first six days. TV ratings studies indicated that female viewership of Indians games increased 200 percent in 2005.
“It’s been fun, but it’s been weird,” Sizemore said. “It all happened so fast, it didn’t have time to sink in. I’ve always played baseball just because it’s been fun and put all the other stuff off to the side.”
This year, the Indians are also selling pink “Sizemore” caps and a 36-inch bobblehead that retails for $275. Sizemore’s likeness will be on 16 million cans of Pepsi in July. More tickets already have sold for the April 29 Sizemore bobblehead giveaway than for all but two dates on the entire 81-game home schedule.
The section of the bleachers closest to center field on that night will be occupied by dozens — and perhaps several dozens — of females gathering for the first group activity organized by Sizemore’s Internet fan site, www.gradysladies.com.
Hallie Sheck, a 23-year-old teacher from Dayton, opened the site in August. It now receives as many as 7,000 hits a day. The Web site includes biographies and pictures of potential combatants for Sizemore’s affections as well as an “encounters” section in which fans discuss the powerful emotions associated with such compelling interaction as Sizemore signing an autograph or tossing them a ball during batting practice.
“Some of us met on a message board, and I had a lull in my life between finishing school and starting my job,” Sheck explained. “My boyfriend thinks the whole idea, that I made a fan site for somebody, is pretty nerdy.
“There are a lot of good-looking guys everywhere, even on this team. But Grady is really endearing to a lot of people for other reasons. He plays at 150 percent all the time. He has a gentleman’s appeal. He’s classy. He’s not a player who is going to shove a cameraman to the ground and spit in his face. Every generation can appreciate him.”
Sizemore initially was uncomfortable with all the attention. His locker in Jacobs Field is located behind a post to promote some degree of anonymity. But, more often than he’d like, Sizemore is summoned to come out from behind that post and address his least favorite subject — himself.
“I kind of feel like I’m on the outside looking in, that it’s not me,” Sizemore said. “I’m not the type of guy who likes to talk about himself, but it hasn’t gotten to me. I don’t look at my days any differently. I’m still the same person.”
What about gradyslaides.com?
“It’s cool,” Sizemore said. “They don’t ask anything out of me. Let them have fun with it.”
The woman who created gradysladies.com lives with one great fear, however — that she some day will actually come face-to-face with her favorite baseball player. “The only way I could avoid making a fool of myself would be not to meet him at all,” Sheck said. “That may be the irony. I may spend the rest of my life avoiding him.” Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail: [email protected]
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

3/12/06

Four relievers in battle for one spot

Sunday, March 12, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]TRIBE NOTEBOOK ANDY CALL[/FONT]



TAMPA, Fla. - When the Indians reported to spring training on Feb. 16, four relief pitchers were battling for one open spot in the bullpen. None had thrown a pitch, so no one had the advantage.
After two weeks of workouts and two weeks of games, four relief pitchers are battling for one spot and no one has the advantage — still. Right-handers Danny Graves, Steve Karsay, Jason Davis and Andrew Brown have all experienced nearly identical spring trainings to date.
“It’s fair to say all those guys are still in it,” Manager Eric Wedge said.
Davis struggled early in the spring, but pulled back into the race Saturday when he retired all six batters he faced during a 5-4 victory over Tampa Bay at Progress Energy Park.
“That was definitely Jason’s best outing,” Wedge said. “His stuff is more effective when he doesn’t give too much effort and overthrow. He can also give us at least two innings, which is a plus for him.”
Davis has pitched twice as many innings as the other candidates, but the results are similar.
• Davis — 8 innings, 4.50 ERA, 10 baserunners.
• Graves — 4 innings, 4.50 ERA, 7 baserunners.
• Karsay — 4 innings, 6.75 ERA, 4 baserunners.
• Brown — 4 innings, 4.50 ERA, 6 baserunners.
“Danny Graves has been very consistent,” Wedge said. “Karsay’s stuff was better his last time out than two times ago. Brown left some pitches up in the strike zone (Friday). He worked his way down as the inning went on, but he needs to do that from pitch one.”
Davis and Brown are at a bit of a disadvantage because both have a minor-league option remaining. If no clear winner emerges, they could be sent to Triple-A Buffalo to bide their time until an opening occurs.
Graves and Karsay are at a bit of a disadvantage because their salaries would be twice what Davis and Brown would earn. Karsay would make $600,000, Graves $575,000 if added to the 25-man roster. Davis would earn around $350,000, Brown about $320,000 this summer. Graves can ask for his release if not added to the big-league roster by April 1.
INDIANS 5, DEVIL RAYS 4
Cleveland (9-3) scored five runs in the sixth inning to overcome a 4-0 deficit. Jhonny Peralta’s oddball ground-rule double scored two runs and was followed by Ben Broussard’s RBI single and a two-run hit by Franklin Gutierrez.
Peralta’s long drive to left-center flew toward a portion of the wall that doubles as a gate. The ball fell through a thin strip of the gate cut out to allow viewing from the other side. The umpires made the ground-rule double call.
“It’s a good thing it’s spring training,” Wedge said. “I would have been inside the rest of the game. There’s plenty of time for (ejections).”
Cliff Lee allowed three runs (two earned) over four innings, Matt Miller one run over two innings. Left-hander Rafael Perez earned the save when he got B.J. Upton to ground out and end the game with a baserunner at third.
Ryan Garko made three fine plays at first base, including a backhand stop and a pick in the dirt.

TODAY The Indians host the New York Yankees this afternoon at 1:05. C.C. Sabathia will start against Shawn Chacon. Sabathia will be followed by Guillermo Mota, Karsay and Graves. The game is a sellout, the first of the spring.
WE ARE THE CHAMPS Members of the 2005 Class AA Akron club will be recognized prior to today’s game for winning the Eastern League championship.
INJURY REPORT Brandon Phillips was sore after fouling a pitch off his shin Friday, but was in Saturday’s starting lineup. “He banged it pretty good, but Brandon iced it and said he felt better this morning,” Wedge said. Phillips and Ramon Vazquez have both played second base and shortstop during spring training and Wedge said he would like to give both a few innings at third base as well.
NO WORRIES Wedge said he has no concerns about Jhonny Peralta’s reaction to receiving a five-year contract Friday. “When you do a deal like that, you count on their character and work ethic as well as their ability,” Wedge said. “You’re happy for them and their families and it’s also good to know they are tied up and you’ll have them here.”
RED SOX REPORT The Hartford Courant reported Saturday that former Indians catcher Josh Bard is likely to make the Boston roster as the personal catcher for knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Bard and Wakefield play catch every day and Bard caught Wakefield for four innings Friday. Former Indians outfielder Coco Crisp, incidentally, was hitting .615 for the Red Sox this spring through Friday.
ALUMNI REPORT Former Indians in camp with the Devil Rays include pitchers Jack Cressend, Travis Driskill and Dan Miceli, infielder Russell Branyan and outfielder Darnell McDonald. Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail [email protected]
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

3/12/06

INDIANS SPRING TRAINING
Lee, Sizemore looking to stay in town awhile


Sunday, March 12, 2006

Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter

St. Petersburg, Fla.- Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore, one way or the other, should be with the Indians for several years. The Indians control Lee through 2009 and Sizemore through 2010.

There are two ways to do that - year-by-year or multiyear deal.

As Jhonny Peralta showed Friday, the multiyear deal can make for a smooth ride. Peralta, still two years removed from salary arbitration, signed a five-year deal worth $13 million. The deal includes a $1.25 million signing bonus and a club option worth $7 million for 2011.

Those numbers were not lost on Lee and Sizemore. Their agents have been negotiating with Chris Antonetti, assistant general manager.

"If the offer is fair, I'm in," said Lee, an 18-game winner last year. "I want to be here for as long as I can."

Lee pitched four innings in Saturday's 5-4 victory over Tampa Bay at Progress Energy Park. He allowed two earned runs, four hits and one walk.

Sizemore started in center field and went 0-for-2 with a run.

"I'm happy where I'm at, but I'd like to be here as long as possible," Sizemore said.

Antonetti, who negotiated the bulk of the Peralta contract, said all parties involved are working under an April 2 deadline. The Indians open the regular season that night against Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field.

"We're still having open dialogue," Antonetti said.

Lee will start this season with two years and 124 days in the big leagues.

He's 35-17, 32 of those victories coming in the last two years.

"There's nothing for sure yet," Lee said. "I try to stay out of it until the end and let my agent do his thing. When everything gets close, I'll get involved. Even if we don't get something worked out, I still feel I'll be here for a while."

The last time the Indians committed a multiyear deal to a young pitcher, they signed C.C. Sabathia to a four-year, $9.5 million contract in 2002.

Sabathia, like Lee, had pitched two full seasons in the big leagues.

Sabathia, 22, was five years younger than Lee, which may work against him getting that long a contract.

Lee, like Sabathia, has never been seriously injured. The risk of injury, however, is much more a factor when a multiyear deal is being negotiated for a pitcher. It's harder to get insurance because pitchers are more prone to injuries than position players.

"As an organization, the Indians do everything from the safe side," Lee said.

"They don't want to make a mistake so they double and triple check everything. I'd do the same thing if I was running a club.

"Pitchers do get hurt. And most of the time the injuries are serious. There is a certain amount of risk in all long-term deals."

What the Indians are offering Lee and Sizemore is unexpected security compared to their limited amount of time in the big leagues. What the Indians get back is a long-term savings because the players won't be earning top dollar at the end of their deals.

"Security is what it's all about," said Lee, married with two children.

"Security is knowing what's going to happen instead or going year to year when you don't know what's going to happen."

Said Sizemore, with one year and 56 days in the big leagues, "Everyone likes to feel at home with their team, at their ballpark and in their city."

Eric Wedge said he doesn't manage any differently with a roster full of multiyear contracts or one-year deals.

"But it's good to know that you have someone like Jhonny Peralta tied up," he said. "You know he's going to be there."

No problem:

Brandon Phillips started at second base Saturday after spending Friday night icing his left shin. He fouled a ball off it Friday against Atlanta.

Just do it:

Matt Miller allowed one run on two hits in two innings Saturday. He struck out four of the eight batters he faced.

"We need Matt to go out and be normal from here on out," Wedge said. "He needs to go out and trust that he's healthy."

Miller missed most of the second half last year with a sore right elbow.

Bite your tongue:

Peralta's apparent grand slam became a two-run double in the sixth.

Umpires ruled the ball didn't clear the fence in center field, but went through a gate in the wall.

"I don't like to go out and argue in spring training," Wedge said. "If this had been the regular season, I don't think I would have been around for the rest of the game."

To reach this Plain Dealer Reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-5754

 

[JCOSU86]

In sad news, http://www.gradysladies.com has now outpaced http://www.jcsbabes.com in average hits per day.....

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

3/12/06

Indians laying sound foundation

Sizemore, Peralta key to Cleveland’s rebuilding plan

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Scott Priestle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>RICHARD DREW | ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>High hopes for the Indians are pinned on center fielder Grady Sizemore, right, being congratulated after a spring training home run. </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>

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WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Grady Sizemore hit a hard grounder to first base and tore out of the batter’s box as if it would be a close play. In the time it took Daryle Ward of the Washington Nationals to peek into his glove and make sure the ball was there, Sizemore made it a race to the bag.
He ultimately lost but left no doubt he has not changed in the whirlwind 12 months since he first broke camp with the Cleveland Indians.
"It’s just instinct," he said of running out ground balls with maximum effort. "Intrasquad, spring training, it’s all the same. It’s routine now."
Sizemore put last season in his rearview mirror as intently as he puts the batter’s box in his rearview. He said he did not allow himself even a moment to savor what he achieved in his first full major-league season — a .289 average, 22 home runs, 22 stolen bases and a growing popularity, particularly among the team’s female fans.
"I don’t have time to go back," he said. "I’m moving forward."
The Indians need him to. The emergence of Sizemore and Jhonny Peralta last season — and their potential — fuels much of the optimism surrounding the team.
Sizemore joined Robbie Alomar as the only players in team history to have at least 20 doubles, 10 triples, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season. He took over as the leadoff hitter in mid-May and finished in the top 10 in the American League in extrabase hits (70), triples (11), total bases (310), runs (111), multi-hit games (52) and road batting average (.324).
Peralta set a franchise record for home runs by a shortstop with 24, and he was 10 th in the American League with a .521 slugging percentage. By late July, Peralta had moved up to No. 3 in the lineup, meaning the Indians made their push for the pennant with 23-year-olds in two key positions, offensively and defensively.
"I just tried to be everything I can," Peralta said.
The previous year, the Indians made their push with Travis Hafner batting third and Victor Martinez fourth. Hafner and Martinez were in their first full seasons in the big leagues. Upon arrival in spring training last season, they were well-known around the league, which made for a different pressure.
"You have a little bit of a target on your back," Hafner said. "It makes you work that much harder. You don’t want the game to catch up to you."
Hafner has earned a reputation for his almost-fanatical preparation before games and even between at-bats. It is why Indians officials approached him last spring — after his one full season — about signing a multiyear contract, and they eventually committed to paying him at least $7.25 million over three years.
Sizemore and Peralta also made an impression. The Indians recently signed Peralta to a five-year contract that reportedly will pay him at least $13 million, and it is believed they have discussed a multi-year deal with Sizemore.
"What made them so special last year as the leadoff and No. 3 hitters is their particularly impressive poise and mental maturity for players of their experience," general manager Mark Shapiro said. "There may be a slight adjustment this year, but what served them so well last year will continue to."
Of course, Indians officials felt strongly about Jody Gerut, too, but Gerut was unable to build on his standout rookie season of 2003. He has since been traded twice. Milton Bradley, Jason Davis and Ben Broussard also showed flashes of greatness in recent seasons but were unable to do so consistently.
Baseball history is littered with similar careers that flamed out early. Sizemore is aware, which is why he shrugs off the accolades and attention.
"I don’t focus on that," he said. "I can’t. There is still a lot I need to learn. Things are slowing down for me, and that helps. I’m picking things up here and there, day by day, just learning as much as I can from my teammates and coaches. That will help a lot. But I haven’t figured it out yet. I won’t figure it out. No one is going to master it. It’s a matter of working hard and staying consistent."
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

3/13/06

Wickman not sure when career will close

Indians tried to replace him but will finish with 37-year-old

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Now that he is in the twilight of his career, Bob Wickman is totally focused on today.
Ask him about pitching next year, and the Indians' closer will say that he'll worry about that when the time comes.
``As soon as the season is over, I'll let you know,'' he said. ``We'll play as long as the arm feels good, unless I have another kind of injury. I am getting up there, you know, and you can't play indefinitely.''
That's what he said before the 2005 season, and Wickman, 37, is perfectly willing to face reality.
Real life has been kind to Wickman. He has forged a long and distinguished career in the bullpen, the past eight seasons as a closer. He has a wife and three children and lives happily in northern Wisconsin, not far from Green Bay, where he was born.
On the other hand, there have been bumps in the road.
Wickman underwent Tommy John elbow surgery in December 2002 and was forced to pitch only on rehab assignments at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Buffalo the next year. He wasn't quite sure what would happen after that.
Since returning to the big leagues in July 2004, Wickman has accumulated 58 saves in 64 chances, a 91 percent success rate.
Considering that he seldom threw his money pitch, a sinker, last season, succeeding in 45-of-50 save opportunities has to rank as a special achievement, though he did litter the bases with runners.
``Last year I protected my arm a little bit by not throwing the sinker over the plate,'' he said. ``The ball didn't sink much, and hitters would say, `Where's your sinker?'
``In the winter, I tried to turn it over ( sink the ball), and I had no pain. So I'm going to throw it until it starts to hurt.''
It was difficult to predict how efficient Wickman would be post surgery, so General Manager Mark Shapiro has tried to replace Wickman with a high-priced free agent the past two winters.
After the 2004 schedule, Shapiro went after Troy Percival and Armando Benitez. This past winter, the Tribe chased B.J. Ryan and Trevor Hoffman. In the end, Shapiro came back to Wickman, who understands that baseball is a business.
He still has the marquee job in the bullpen for a team that is expected to challenge for the playoffs. The only thing that concerns him is getting batters out.
``I try to let guys get themselves out,'' said Wickman, who attempts to induce hitters into swinging at bad pitches. ``I'm not going to strike guys out anymore.
``I'm a garbage pitcher now, and that's fine with me. I'll do that as long as I can. When I played basketball, I rebounded and got garbage points. If I could throw 95-96 (mph), I'd let 'em have it.''
The bullpen Wickman leads will look significantly different than last season's. Gone are Bob Howry, Arthur Rhodes and David Riske. In their place will be Guillermo Mota, Matt Miller, injured much of last year, and the winner of the competition for the seventh and final spot.
``The main thing is if I do what I usually do, and the guys who've been here do what they usually do, we'll be all right,'' Wickman said. ``But just because we had the best bullpen last year doesn't mean we'll do it again this year. Relievers are inconsistent.''
Wickman has thought about his future and decided that it will not include a job in the big leagues as a coach or manager.
``I have a little one (Ethan), who's 2,'' Wickman said. ``Maybe I could come back in about 16 years, but that would be tough. I'm going to be selfish and say when it's over, it's over.''
How is that selfish?
``What I'm saying is that baseball has given me an awful lot, and I'd like to give something back,'' Wickman said. ``But if I have to pick, I'm going to pick being with my wife and kids.''
Wickman's wife, Sue, and three children are seldom far away. All four arrived in Winter Haven in late February and will be with Wickman the entire season, with Kaylee, 9, and Ryan, 7, going to school in the Cleveland area.
Until the end of spring training, the two older children will do homework that the school sends.
``The school has been really good about things,'' Wickman said. ``If I was on another team and the school refused, I'd look for another school. I think the kids learn more if they're with me every single day.''
If events play out in the usual manner, Shapiro will search for a replacement next winter and end up signing Wickman again.
Wickman's response probably will be the same as this spring: ``I made it through the whole year without pain, so why not another season?''

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

3/13/06

Posted on Mon, Mar. 13, 2006
Sloppy Indians don't

<!-- begin body-content -->WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - please manager in win
Eric Wedge wasn't happy with the Indians on Sunday, even though the Tribe beat the New York Yankees 7-4 at Chain O' Lakes Park.
``We didn't play particularly well,'' the manager said. ``The pitchers did a good job, but from a position-play standpoint, we didn't execute. We had some poor at-bats.''
From an offensive perspective, the Tribe failed miserably to take advantage of its opportunities. In the first four innings, New York pitchers walked six and hit a batter.
The Indians didn't score until the fourth, when Travis Hafner doubled home two runs and Jason Michaels and Jhonny Peralta each had an RBI single. Situational hitting was non-existent until that inning.
In the first, the Tribe loaded the bases with nobody out and failed to score, with Ben Broussard bouncing into a double play to end the threat.
``We still have plenty of time,'' Wedge said. ``We want to make sure our work translates into the games once the season starts.''
Defensively, the Indians made their usual two errors -- one each by third baseman Andy Marte and catcher Einar Diaz -- giving them 24 in 132 innings.
Said Wedge: ``We have been very sloppy defensively, but we have been doing our work.''
Most of the errors have been made by players who have almost (or absolutely no chance) to make the team. Aaron Boone (four errors), Peralta (two) and Ramon Vazquez (one) are the only players with roster spots assured (Vazquez doesn't quite have one locked up) that have contributed to the error total.
C.C. SHARPER -- C.C. Sabathia gave up three runs but only one was earned in his four-inning stint. He allowed two hits and one walk.
``I felt better as the game went along,'' he said.
The game obviously didn't count, but Sabathia was asked if he felt any extra adrenalin flowing because he was facing the Yankees.
``I could have been pitching against the Tigers in a `B' game, and it would have been the same,'' he said.
ALL IN A ROW -- Wedge listed the order in which his starting pitchers would work.
Sabathia is set for the opener, followed by Jake Westbrook, Cliff Lee, Paul Byrd and Jason Johnson.
Wedge does not plan to skip his fifth starter regularly, but Johnson will miss his first turn.
``The way the schedule works out, C.C. will get his second start before Johnson pitches,'' Wedge said.
ON THE LOWER FIELDS -- Westbrook and Byrd each got their work in, pitching in a makeshift intrasquad game with throwing about 55 pitches.
MARCHING ONWARD -- The Indians remain home to play the Tampa Bay Devil Rays this afternoon at Chain O' Lakes Park.
Fausto Carmona will start against Scott Kazmir with Bob Wickman, Scott Sauerbeck, Kazuhito Tadano and Andrew Brown scheduled to work out of the bullpen.

SHELDON OCKER​

​

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

3/13/06

Willis: Rotation could surpass ’05

Monday, March 13, 2006


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Indians first baseman Travis Hafner dives after an errant throw by third baseman Andy Marte during the second inning Sunday at Winter Haven, Fla. Two Yankees scored on the error, but the Indians still won, 7-5.​

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WINTER HAVEN, Fla. The Cleveland Indians now have a pitching rotation — one that has a tough act to follow.
Manager Eric Wedge announced the order of his season-opening rotation Sunday. Opening Day starter C.C. Sabathia will be followed by Jake Westbrook, Cliff Lee, Paul Byrd and Jason Johnson.
Last season, Cleveland’s five primary pitchers combined to make 158 starts, worked at least five innings 142 times and compiled a 3.96 ERA.
“I do think this year’s (rotation) has the potential to be as good, if not better,” pitching coach Carl Willis said. “If we do our job and the guys pay attention to detail like they did last year, our results are going to be there. They have that type of ability.”
The rotation was set up to separate left-handers Sabathia and Lee, to separate sinkerball pitchers Westbrook and Johnson and to put the crafty Byrd between the more power-oriented Lee and Johnson.
“We have some different types of pitchers on this staff, so we can give clubs a different look,” Willis said.
The early schedule — three off days in the first nine — presents some difficulties in maintaining the initial order of the rotation. Sabathia will actually have pitched twice before Johnson makes his first start, Willis said.
That means Byrd will start the April 7 home opener against Minnesota, followed by Sabathia and Johnson.
Wedge said Jason Davis will continue to pitch in relief, meaning Fausto Carmona and Jeremy Sowers would be the first two options to be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo.
“Fausto was outstanding when he threw those three innings the other day,” Wedge said. “They weren’t getting good cuts off him at all. We haven’t seen the best of Jeremy in a game yet as far as command, but we’re all impressed with how he can command the baseball.”
INDIANS 7, YANKEES 5
The Indians (10-3) scored three runs off Scott Erickson in the bottom of the eighth to pull away from a 4-4 tie in front of the first sellout crowd of the spring (7,852).
Jason Michaels singled and doubled. Todd Hollandsworth and Ben Broussard had two hits each. Travis Hafner drove in two runs with a fourth-inning double.
Sabathia allowed three runs (one earned) over four innings.
“My fastball felt good and I was able to throw a few more changeups,” Sabathia said. “I felt strong. I felt better as the game went along.”

TODAY The Indians host Tampa Bay this afternoon at 1:05. Fausto Carmona will start for Cleveland against Scott Kazmir. Bob Wickman, Scott Sauerbeck and Kazuhito Tadano are scheduled to follow Carmona.
K IS FOR KARSAY Right-hander Steve Karsay said he has been encouraged by his recent outings. “I feel like I’m getting my body back under me,” Karsay said. “It’s all about how I feel physically, and I’m feeling better every day.” Karsay said he will probably not accept an assignment to Triple-A Buffalo if the Indians decide not to keep him. “If I’m healthy, I have to think somebody will give me a big-league job,” Karsay said.
SLOPPY SPRING The Indians were charged with two errors Sunday, giving them 24 in 13 games. “We’ve been sloppy defensively,” Manager Eric Wedge said. “They’re doing the work. They just need more repetition.”
WORKOUT Paul Byrd and Jake Westbrook each pitched during an intrasquad game Sunday. Wedge said the regular starting pitching rotation will start to fall into place following Tuesday’s final split-squad game. Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail [email protected].
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

INDIANS INSIDER
Indians' network on the air


Monday, March 13, 2006

Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter

Winter Haven, Fla.- The Indians' new regional TV network made its debut Sunday in a 7-5 exhibition victory over the Yankees at Chain of Lakes Park.

Team President Paul Dolan welcomed having New York as the opposition.

"It's fitting," said Dolan. "The model, the Yankees and YES Network, is right in front of us. We want to try our best to keep up with them."

YES, which made its debut in 2002, generated a reported $60 million last year for the Yankees.

The Indians started SportsTime Ohio as opposed to signing a new deal with FSN Ohio this winter. They are in the process of signing deals with cable and satellite providers to carry 130 regular-season games and seven more spring training games this year.

Twenty additional regular-season games will be shown on WKYC Ch. 3.

"The distribution is coming along," said Dolan. "We should be in good shape by Opening Day."

The Indians open the season April 2 against Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field.

Sunday's game was shown on tape delay to coincide with the Indians radio broadcast on WTAM AM/1100. The WTAM broadcast was delayed because the station carried the Cavaliers game live.

It's unclear how many Indians fans in and around Cleveland were able to watch the game, because the Indians have yet to sign deals with cable outlets Adelphia and Comcast. Time Warner Cable in Northeast, Northwest and mid-Ohio carried the game. Wadsworth Cable and TSC in Auglaize County also carried the game.

Easy does it:

Guillermo Mota made his second exhibition appearance Sunday, throwing a scoreless fifth inning.

The Indians are bringing Mota along slowly to protect his right shoulder and elbow. He had problems with both last year.

Mota will pitch again Thursday.

Cooperation:

So far, Travis Hafner's right elbow has allowed him to play first base this spring. When he tried to make a throw last year - Hafner had surgery on the elbow after the 2004 season - he lost strength in his biceps and triceps.

"I couldn't get my bat through the strike zone," said Hafner, who started at first Sunday.

It's been speculated that Hafner could play 25 to 30 games at first this year. He calls it a rough estimate.

"I just want to give them the option of playing me," said Hafner.

Congratulations:

Manager Torey Lovullo and members of the Class AA Akron Aeros received their Eastern League championship rings before Sunday's game. Jeremy Sowers and Ryan Mulhern, Indians minor-league players of the year in 2005, also received their awards.

Finally:

Paul Byrd and Jake Ditler pitched in intrasquad game Sunday morning on one of the minor-league fields. Byrd threw 54 pitches and impressed manager Eric Wedge.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

3/14/06

Carmona leading pack

<!-- begin body-content -->WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - of Tribe depth starters
Fausto Carmona will start the season in Buffalo, but he might already have one foot in Cleveland.
There has been a lot of talk about ``depth starters'' in this Indians camp. That is the group of Triple-A pitchers who will be considered for promotion if someone in the major-league rotation gets hurt or falls into a prolonged slump.
Carmona has been in this group from the start of spring training, but Monday, manager Eric Wedge elevated his status.
``I feel strong about our depth starters, and Fausto is the guy who is leading that pack,'' Wedge said after the Tribe defeated the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 8-7 at Chain O' Lakes Park.
Carmona, Jeremy Sowers and, lately, Jeremy Guthrie have been proclaimed the primary contenders for the No. 6 starter. Jason Davis is also a possibility, though he might pitch in the Triple-A bullpen if he doesn't win a spot as a reliever with the Tribe.
Carmona started against the Devil Rays and gave up two runs (one earned), six hits and no walks in four innings. They were the first runs he has allowed all spring, in nine innings.
``Carmona was fantastic again today,'' Wedge said, adding that in addition to an effective assortment of pitches, ``He has tremendous poise and confidence.''
BOONE BUSTS OUT -- Aaron Boone hit his first two home runs of the spring and singled to raise his batting average to .500 (9-for-18). In contrast to last spring, when he was coming off knee surgery, Boone can concentrate strictly on getting ready.
``Now, it's a matter of getting ready to play games and seeing the pitchers,'' he said.
Jason Dubois hit his second spring homer and doubled to drive in two runs, and Einar Diaz hit a two-run blast.
Asked if Boone looks different this spring, Wedge said, ``I saw it the first day of camp. He has a hop in his step. You don't see the wear in his eyes. He's fresh mentally and physically.''
TALKING IT OVER -- The Tribe staff held a meeting after Monday's game to talk about the first major cuts of the spring.
More than likely, the names of players who are sent back to the minor-league camp will be announced Wednesday.
It is unlikely that anyone will be released.
STILL TRUCKIN' -- By this time of the spring, season-ticket sales usually dwindle to almost zero, but the Tribe is continuing to find a demand. The team recently passed its goal of 13,000 full season-ticket equivalents, a mix of full and partial plans.
MARCHING ONWARD -- The Indians will split their squad this afternoon for games against the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers.
Jason Johnson will start against the Blue Jays' Josh Towers at Chain O' Lakes Park. Andrew Brown and Ben Howard are also scheduled to throw.
Jeremy Sowers will start against Kenny Rogers in Lakeland. Steve Karsay, Danny Graves and Jeremy Guthrie will be in the bullpen.

SHELDON OCKER​

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

3/14/06

Crack of light at end of tunnel for Guthrie

Spring performance might give Tribe pitcher chance to erase doubt

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Jeremy Guthrie received an upgrade in status a week ago, when General Manager Mark Shapiro included him among the candidates to be the Indians' No. 6 starter.
That might not seem like much of a boost to a 26-year-old former first-round draft choice. After all, depth starters, the guys who are judged to be major-league ready if someone in the rotation gets hurt or slumps badly, still must ply their trade in the minors while they wait for an opportunity.
Shapiro's inclusion of Guthrie in that group is an indication that his struggles might be coming to an end.
Guthrie's tribulations are a familiar story to Northeast Ohio fans. He was the 22nd overall pick in 2002 draft, but he didn't pitch until 2003, when he took Double-A Akron by storm, compiling a 6-2 record and 1.44 ERA.
He was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo before season's end and blew up, going 1-2 with a 7.91 ERA at Triple-A.
``Even in Buffalo, I felt good,'' Guthrie said. ``That whole year was positive. But I came into '04 just not feeling right. Something was out of whack. I had no idea where my pitches were going.''
Since then, Guthrie has been trying to play catch-up with himself, making all sorts of corrections. Finally, something clicked at Buffalo in the second half of last year.
``I worked with (Triple-A pitching coach) Kenny Rowe and other pitchers, and things started to feel right,'' Guthrie said Monday. ``I started to get the confidence to be able to throw a pitch where I wanted.''
Rowe's advice was relatively simple and fundamental.
``He talked about balance and staying tall,'' Guthrie said, ``and that I should really focus on keeping the ball down in the zone.
``If you have 13 pitchers, probably all but two of them need to keep the ball down. The other two might have the kind of velocity or stuff to pitch up in the zone.''
Doesn't every pitcher know that coming in?
``Sure, but keeping the ball down wasn't really my major focus,'' Guthrie said. ``Instead, maybe it was hitting the corners or something else. I wasn't really thinking, `Keep the ball down.' ''
This spring, Guthrie has pitched in two exhibition games, a total of seven innings, allowing five hits, two runs, two walks while striking out six.
All along, Guthrie was raising false hopes by making one good outing followed by two or three clinkers at Double-A or Triple-A, but the Tribe's deep-thinkers continued to announce that his stuff was good, his arm healthy.
They scratched their heads, though, wondering what to do next. They thought that maybe seeing the big leagues might help.
In 2004 and 2005, Guthrie was promoted for brief stints with the Indians, making a total of seven relief appearances (17 2/3 innings pitched, 10 earned runs).
``That was an absolutely awesome experience,'' Guthrie said. ``Getting to pitch six times in '04 was a big boost to my confidence.''
Guthrie concedes that he wasn't ready to retire big-league hitters when he made his debut.
``I was very nervous in my first few games,'' he said. ``I didn't have a lot of confidence. It was more of a hope that I could throw some good pitches. But last year, I felt 100 percent more comfortable.''
Guthrie came to camp in a good frame of mind because of the way that he threw in the second half of 2005.
``There's a big difference,'' he said. ``I've tried to carry the momentum of those three months last year into this spring.''
When Guthrie takes stock of what has slowed his development, he concludes that he didn't know a whole lot about pitching. He had a live arm, but his knowledge about mechanics was wanting.
``I am an inexperienced pitcher,'' he said. ``I never had a pitching coach in high school. I just threw fastballs as hard as I could, and guys would swing in fear and usually miss the ball.''
Although Guthrie pitched two years at Brigham Young University, he said his pitching education didn't begin in earnest until he transferred to Stanford. Even there, he only got the basics.
``I didn't know myself as much as I should have,'' he said. ``I still need experience.''
Maybe this year, Guthrie's experience will come in the big leagues

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

3/14/06

Sowers OK to wait and watch

Tuesday, March 14, 2006


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WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Jeremy Sowers has spent much of the last month in the Cleveland Indians clubhouse, but he still doesn’t exactly fit in.
He is 22, but looks much younger. He plays chess. He reads books. He graduated from Vanderbilt in December after picking up the final 18 credit hours needed for his degree in political science. He has become one of the more high-profile prospects in the Indians organization despite rarely touching 90 mph on the radar gun.
One other thing sets Sowers apart in the clubhouse — he seems to do very little talking and a lot of watching.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned this spring is how big-league players go about their business every day,” Sowers said. “You see how much they care. You try to emulate that.”
The Indians expect Sowers to someday be a big-league player to emulate. He and fellow right-hander Fausto Carmona will be Cleveland’s first line of defense at Triple-A Buffalo this summer if one of the Indians’ starters is injured.
Sowers has pitched in two spring-training games, allowing two runs in five innings, and will start this afternoon against Detroit. He and Carmona could be sent back to minor-league camp as soon as Thursday. Even Sowers admitted to not yet being a finished product.
“There are things I’m still working on,” Sowers said. “I need to be more consistent with my changeup. I need to keep my fastball down. I’d like to keep the ball in the park more. I’d like my curveball to be better, but I’ve accepted that the slider is a better pitch for me.”
“I’ve really been impressed this spring with the way he commands the baseball,” Manager Eric Wedge said. “He has a great feel for a young pitcher. He’s very impressive. It’s good for him to be here.”
Cleveland’s first-round draft pick in 2004 rocketed from Single-A to Triple-A in his first pro season, compiling a 14-4 record and 2.37 ERA. Minor-league hitters were befuddled by Sowers’ pitch selection and pinpoint control.
Big-league hitters are another story, of course. They’re older, stronger and wiser. Sowers was facing them for the first time this spring.
“You’re extremely nervous,” Sowers said. “Then, when you throw that first pitch, you rethink that. You know everything will be OK.
“You see how hard they hit it, but you also see that you can get them out. It sort of bridges the gap for you. They’re not mythical people. You feel like you can be mentioned in the same sentence.”
Sowers struck out 149 in 159 innings in 2005, allowed just 1.7 walks per nine innings and was named Cleveland’s minor-league pitcher of the year. Still, he admits, self-criticism remains his most daunting battle. “I used to hate myself after every bad bullpen,” Sowers said. “I’ve gotten better at that. You have to have confidence.” Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail [email protected].
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

3/14/06

Dubois has the poise

Tuesday, March 14, 2006


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WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Baseball means a lot to Jason Dubois.
“This is what I do,” Dubois said Monday after he walked, doubled and hit a two-run home run against Tampa Bay at Chain of Lakes Park. “This is my life. I don’t have anything else. It’s what I do 12 months a year.”
Dubois moved to Winter Haven on Feb. 1 — two weeks before pitchers and catchers were to report — to begin preparing for spring training. He signed up for a membership at a local gym the next day and began lifting weights.
That year-round focus appears to be paying some dividends. Dubois is hitting .409 (9-for-22) this spring with three doubles, two home runs, four walks and eight strikeouts.
“I’m having a little bit of fun,” Dubois said. “It’s a fun game, and I enjoy playing it.”
Dubois is battling veteran Todd Hollandsworth for a spot on the roster as the Tribe’s No. 4 outfielder. Hollandsworth, 32, is not having nearly as spectacular a spring, but he has the advantage of 11 years of service time and previous experience as a part-time player.
That lack of experience can’t really be held against Dubois. The Indians traded outfielder Jody Gerut to the Cubs for Dubois on July 18, but Dubois played in only 14 games after coming to Cleveland (10-for-45, .222).
“I would say 95 percent of (struggling) was pressing,” Dubois said. “When you come to a new organization, you want to show them you belong.”
Manager Eric Wedge said Dubois may just be a player who needs to be in the lineup every day to be at his most effective.
“He’s really done a good job loosening up his hands and giving himself a better chance to compete at the plate,” Wedge said. “We know he has power.”
“It’s tough to get your timing down, coming off the bench and playing,” Dubois said, “but you need to take your opportunities as they come.”
INDIANS 8, DEVIL RAYS 7
Aaron Boone singled and hit a pair of solo home runs, Einar Diaz added a two-run homer and Fausto Carmona pitched four solid innings as Cleveland (11-3) outlasted Tampa Bay at Chain of Lakes Park.
Boone’s two home runs and the two-run shot by Dubois all came off Tampa Bay’s Scott Kazmir, who shut down the Indians last year during the season’s critical final week.
Carmona allowed two runs on three consecutive hits and an error in the third inning, but was otherwise unscathed.
“He repeats his delivery, he throws downhill, he has a good feel for his changeup and he pitches with poise,” Wedge said of Carmona. “We feel strongly about our depth starters. Fausto is leading the pack right now.”

TODAY The Indians will split their squad today for games against Toronto in Winter Haven and against Detroit in Lakeland. Jason Johnson will start against Toronto’s Josh Towers. Jeremy Sowers will start against Detroit’s Kenny Rogers. There is no local radio broadcast of either game.
JUST WIN, BABY The Indians are 11-3 this spring with 19 games remaining. The club record for most wins in a spring is 21, set in 1996 (21-13). The Indians have recorded five final exhibition records of .500 or better in the last six years. The 2005 Tribe was 16-13-1 in spring training. The only losing spring during that span was 2002 (15-17).
ON THE FARM Minor-league spring-training games begin Friday. Four of Cleveland’s five teams will open against Houston affiliates. Class A Mahoning Valley will conduct an intrasquad game Friday, then play Detroit’s Class A Oneonta team Saturday in Lakeland.
ALUMNI REPORT Former Indians reliever Jack Cressend was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Devil Rays on Saturday.
Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail: [email protected]
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

3/14/06

<TABLE class=bg0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=428 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=418>[FONT=arial,sans-serif]Monday, March 13, 2006[/FONT]</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD width=5>

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[FONT=arial,sans-serif]Our Week in Winter Haven: Day 6
Photos and slideshow up!
You can check out my pictures from my final day in Winter Haven here.

I also put together a slideshow, capturing some of the sights and sounds that made this trip to spring training a memorable one. You can watch it here.

Homers lift Tribe over D-Rays
Indians manager Eric Wedge hasn't been satisfied with the team's play in spring training thus far despite their gaudy 10-3 record coming into Monday's game against the Devil Rays.

There was, however, plenty to like about the Tribe's 8-7 win over Tampa Bay at Chain of Lakes Park.

Aaron Boone, batting in the No. 2 spot, put the Indians ahead in first inning with a solo home run to left. When he came to bat again in the third inning, he jumped on the first pitch and deposited it to almost the same spot in the seats for his second homer of the game.

Boone added a single to go 3-for-3 and made a couple of diving stops at third base.

"It's like night and day from last year," manager Eric Wedge said of Boone. "[He's] free and easy. You don't see the wear in the eyes. He's fresh mentally and physically."

The power surge didn't end with Boone. Jason Dubois went 2-for-2 with a double and a two-run home run, raising his average to .409. His slugging percentage is an eye-popping .818.

"He's done a good job loosening his hands and giving himself a better chance to compete at the plate," Wedge said. "You know he has power, you know he can drive the ball to all fields."

Like Dubois, catcher Einar Diaz had a double and a two-run homer. He also picked off a runner at first and threw out a would-be base stealer at second.

"Einar needed to have a good day today," Wedge said. "He had been struggling. It was good to see him throw the ball the way he did and swing the bat."

On the mound, Fausto Carmona was impressive again. The young right-hander kept his poise after an error by Ramon Vazquez to give up only 2 runs, 1 earned, in four innings. He gave up six hits, but most of those were of the infield variety.

"He was fantastic again today," Wedge said. "He pitches with tremendous poise and confidence.

"His command as well as his stuff is what really makes him who he is."

The Indians resume their spring schedule tomorrow with a pair of games, traveling to Lakeland to face the Tigers and hosting the Blue Jays in Winter Haven.

Listen to Eric Wedge's post-game comments here

Battle Tracker: Andrew Brown, competing for a bullpen spot, rebounded from a rough outing on Thursday. He had his fastball working, striking out two in a scoreless inning. Ramon Vazquez, battling Brandon Phillips at utility infielder, booted a ball at shortstop and grounded into a rally-killing double play.

Hey, Hoynsie!
Listen to my chat with The PD's Paul Hoynes here as we talk about what the Indians are doing well and what they're not doing well so far this spring.

Photo of the Day: I snapped this photo yesterday of Bob Feller and Yogi Berra in the Yankees dugout. I've been so busy, only on the drive over to Chain of Lakes this morning did the significance of that moment hit me. I mean to be in the presence of two Hall of Famers whose impact on the game will last forever was pretty darn cool.

The Dinner Report: Classic sampler (spaghetti, lasagna, fetuccini alfredo) at Fazoli's. $5.99
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