Indians Tidbits (2006 season)..

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/10/06

Jones tosses `good luck' to Wickman

Tribe's ex-leader in saves unaware record broken, wishes closer well

By Stephanie Storm

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->Doug Jones had no idea history was on the line Sunday afternoon as Indians closer Bob Wickman walked his usual tightrope in the ninth inning of the Indians' 2-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
Although Jones had been the Tribe's all-time saves leader with 129 until Wickman surpassed him with No. 130 Sunday, Jones said he hasn't kept up much with the game since retiring after the 2000 season.
``What happened?'' the 48-year-old asked Monday from his home in Tucson, Ariz. ``I don't follow much baseball these days. You'll have to fill me in.''
When informed of Wickman's feat, the soft-spoken Jones said simply: ``Let him go. What am I supposed to do, stop him? I'm done playing.''
Now, Jones' days are filled with church and family time with his wife and three sons, who all play baseball.
``Plus, I've been on the road a lot, traveling with a friend who's a recording artist,'' said Jones, who runs the soundboard.
``If I'm lucky, I'll catch a game or two a week on TV.''
Despite Jones' nonchalant feelings about his place in Tribe baseball history, the mustachioed 6-foot-2 right-hander always will be remembered for his unusual approach to closing.
Unlike most closers today who throw hard, Jones racked up save after save with the Tribe thanks in large part to a deceptive circle change-up that was 10 to 15 mph slower than his fastball.
Change of speed, not heat, was the key to his success.
``I would have rather started, but when I came to Cleveland, they didn't have a closer,'' he said. ``I just fell into it. But I was consistent, and just happy to be playing.''
After spending his first seven professional seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, Jones signed with the Indians as a minor-league free agent in 1985. He made it to Cleveland for parts of the 1986 and '87 seasons before sticking for good.
Ironically, it was Wickman who took over for Jones as Milwaukee's closer when Jones left there after a second stint in the late '90s.
``I remember that,'' Jones said. ``But there was no hard feelings. It's just the way baseball works.''
By 1988, Jones had become the Indians' full-time closer, setting a team record for saves with 37 that season. Quietly, but effectively, Jones began to cement his place in team history, including recording a major-league record 15 saves in consecutive appearances that season.
During his 14-year career, Jones recorded 20-plus saves eight times while playing for seven teams, compiling a 69-79 record and 3.30 ERA in 1,128 1/3 innings.
``I never thought of my time as special because of what I did specifically in Cleveland,'' Jones said.
``What was special, and what I tell my boys, is that I was fortunate to play in the major leagues.''
With Sunday's historic save, Wickman has 220 career saves, including six this year. No one is certain whether the new Indians saves leader will continue his career after this season.
``I tried walking away three or four times, but they kept talking me into playing another year,'' Jones said with a gentle laugh. ``Tell him good luck.''
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

5/10/06

TRIBE NOTEBOOK: Blake moving in order

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

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



KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Looking to change things up a bit, Indians Manager Eric Wedge moved up Casey Blake in the order Tuesday.
Blake, who entered with the American League’s third-best average (.370), moved to seventh. He has spent the most of the season batting ninth.
“He’s handled moving around before,” Wedge said. “He’s been really good with that. Putting him in the seven hole shouldn’t change anything in his mindset. It might get him another at-bat or get him up in a key situation.”
The Indians entered Tuesday having struggled offensively in their last three games, totaling six runs. They went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position in Monday’s loss to the Royals. They still lead the AL in runs, at 6.18 per game.
“I separate the first night from these last two,” Wedge said. “I really think that kid, (Seattle’s Joel) Pineiro, pitched a gem (Saturday). But I felt like the last two nights we missed some opportunities.
“... I think we’re trying to do a little too much with pitches. We’ve got to get back to staying within ourselves and playing our game.”
Blake has batted everywhere in the lineup during his Indians career. Wedge wasn’t sure how long he’d have Blake hit seventh.
“We’ll play it day by day right now,” Wedge said.
Wedge does not like to make a lot of adjustments to the lineup. The bottom third of the Indians order usually has been Ronnie Belliard, Aaron Boone and Blake. Belliard and Boone each dropped down one spot.
“I’m big on trying to create consistency in the lineup,” Wedge said.
Wedge is not too concerned with the recent lack of production by the Indians. And it’s not like the team is in a complete slump. Monday, seven of the nine starters had a hit. But no one had the clutch hit to trigger a big inning.
“There’s always a domino effect in baseball ... positive or negative,” Wedge said. “We’re one hit away. ... You’re going to have stretches like this over the course of a long season.”

ON DECK The Indians face former teammate Scott Elarton in today’s series finale at 2:10. “Anytime you face somebody that’s been a part of your ballclub, it’s a little bit odd at first,” Wedge said. “But it quickly goes away.” Elarton is 0-4 but has a 3.86 ERA. He has received the worst run support in baseball, with the Royals averaging 1.36 runs in his seven starts. Jake Westbrook (3-2, 5.23) starts for the Indians.
FROM THE MINORS Jeremy Sowers continues to be dominant at Triple-A Buffalo, improving his record to 4-1 Monday. He went 8 1/3 innings allowing six hits and just one run (a solo homer). He lowered his ERA to 1.40. ... Double-A Akron reliever Edward Mujica has pitched 19 innings this season without allowing an earned run. He got his eighth save Monday by pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings.
Reach Repository sports writer Chris Beaven at (330) 580-8345 or e-mail [email protected]


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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/11/06

Indians tank it, Royally

Kansas City finishes sweep, Tribe falls below .500 mark

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->KANSAS CITY, MO. - It can always get worse. The Indians proved it Wednesday, when the Kansas City Royals completed a three-game sweep at Kauffman Stadium with a 10-8 win.
The Royals began the series with a 7-22 record, worst in the major leagues. Owner David Glass announced he was on the verge of making significant changes, which to interested observers meant firing General Manager Allard Baird.
Philanthropists that they are, it appears the Tribe saved his job, at least temporarily. So maybe something good came out of the series, though nothing positive for the woebegone warriors from Cleveland.
The pitching fell apart in the series finale, as it did in the second game. First Jake Westbrook stumbled badly, then the bullpen took over. Guillermo Mota finished the job in style, giving up solo homers to Aaron Guiel and Angel Berroa in the eighth inning to snap an 8-8 tie.
``It seems like we were five feet short either way, where the ball was going or where we hit it,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ``We are not executing on the mound, not making pitches and that's the difference.''
Over the course of the series, the Indians had the lead five times and forged three ties, but nothing Wedge tried worked to keep his pitchers from giving away runs.
For the first time since June, 2004, the Royals scored in double digits in consecutive games.
Westbrook began the game in promising fashion, giving up one run the first three innings. He yielded two runs in the fourth, one unearned because of a throwing error by second baseman Ronnie Belliard.
Westbrook couldn't quite keep it together and left with two outs in the sixth, having been charged with eight runs (seven earned) and nine hits. Westbrook's final two runs were let in by Mota, who had an all-around lousy game.
``I wasn't good today,'' Westbrook said. ``Our offense was swinging the bats too well for us to lose a game that way. I might have gotten a no-decision, but I lost the game.
``I wasn't able to keep a lead. I have to do a better job. My job is to pitch a good ballgame, and I didn't do it.''
The Tribe charged out of the gate against former teammate Scott Elarton, who walked Grady Sizemore, yielded an RBI double to Jason Michaels and Jhonny Peralta's fourth home run of the season.
But by the fifth inning, the 3-0 lead was gone. Even so, the Indians tied the score 8-8 with two runs in the sixth -- one on Casey Blake's fourth homer -- and three in the eighth, the final run scoring on a balk.
Mota's dramatic meltdown came against two players who are among the league's lower-echelon hitters. Berroa began the game with a .234 average and one home run; Guiel was batting .158 at the start of the game with one homer, which he hit Tuesday night.
On getting beat by two hitters who seldom beat anyone, Wedge said: ``That's the big leagues. People are here for a reason. Regardless of their numbers, you give them a pitch to hit, they're going to get to it.''
The loss dropped the Indians to 17-18, the first time since their Opening Day loss to the Chicago White Sox they have been below .500.
``Everyone hates to lose, especially when you string a few in a row,'' Blake said. ``It makes you feel that much worse. But the saving grace is we have a long way to go.''
Blake insists that the skid has not dimmed the team's enthusiasm or confidence.
``Everyone comes in and prepares themselves the same way every day,'' he said. ``We go out and expect to win every night. We went through stretches like this last year. The mark of a good team is how they handle it, how they bounce back.''
The Tribe's relief corps was the biggest contributor to the club's downfall against the Royals. In 6 2/3 innings, the bullpen gave up six runs and three homers.
``We feel we have the people who can do the job,'' Wedge said. ``Having said that, they have to start doing it. We're going to work to find the hot hand.''
Or maybe just a pitcher or two who doesn't have cold feet.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/11/06

Indians report

Pitching staggers, puts Tribe in bind

Inconsistency from starters, relievers costing victories. Betancourt hopes to return next week

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->KANSAS CITY, MO. - Being swept in a three-game series by the Kansas City Royals has highlighted the Indians' deficiencies.
Indians manager Eric Wedge was asked to outline the most pressing problem on Wednesday and said: ``I still think the most important area of the game is starting pitching. But we have to do a good job in all areas.''
Wedge usually makes a point of answering pointed questions as vaguely as possible, but there's no question the Tribe's rotation, especially Jason Johnson, has created some bumps in the road.
In his past four starts, Johnson is 0-2 (the team is 1-3) with a 9.95 ERA.
Johnson is hardly the only problem. Closer Bob Wickman has become something of a non-entity, because his fellow relievers have blown leads before the ninth inning.
``We've had trouble late in the game,'' Wedge said. ``Maybe we'll use some guys earlier if the situation calls for it, like Guillermo Mota.''
Mota is the setup man, but Wedge needs a reliever to bridge the gap between the starter and the late-inning relievers, especially someone who feels comfortable entering a game with runners on base.
``Our young guys (Jason Davis, Fernando Cabrera, Jeremy Guthrie) have done a good job starting an inning, but they've had problems when they come in during the middle of an inning,'' Wedge said.
Scott Sauerbeck also has been inconsistent when summoned to retire a left-handed batter.
``He's been a little more erratic than we'd like,'' Wedge said.
The players have not escaped without hearing a few harsh words from the manager.
``Yes, that's safe to say,'' Wedge said.
``It happened yesterday but not necessarily after the game. These guys have to understand what they're capable of doing and believe it.''
Maybe the high expectations of the public and management have created too much pressure.
``I think they're comfortable with the expectations,'' Wedge said. ``We're just not playing very well. Now the ball is in their court.''
The philosopher
Ben Broussard had three hits and scored two runs, all for nought, in Wednesday's loss.
He tried putting the three-game sweep against the Royals in perspective, saying, ``Hopefully, three or four months from now, we'll look back and say Kansas City was our low point.''
Less than a week?
Wedge is hoping that Rafael Betancourt (sprained back muscle) can be activated from the disabled list in a matter of days.
``Hopefully, he can be here by early or the middle of next week,'' Wedge said. ``That would help Guillermo Mota and our young kids considerably.''
Base running 101
In the sixth inning of Tuesday night's 10-7 debacle, Grady Sizemore was thrown out easily from third on a 200-foot fly ball.
``Grady was being a little overaggressive,'' Wedge said. ``But when he does something (wrong), it only happens once.''
What was third-base coach Jeff Datz's responsibility?
``Jeff assumed Grady wasn't going to go,'' said Wedge, explaining why Datz didn't say anything.
Farm facts
Fausto Carmona (0-3, 4.84 ERA) yielded one earned run (three total) and six hits in six innings, but Buffalo lost a 3-0 decision to Rochester in Class AAA.... Michael Aubrey doubled and drove in two runs, as Kinston defeated Potomac 5-1 in Class A. Joe Ness (3-0, 2.53 ERA) gave up one run and three hits in 5 2/3 innings in the first game of a doubleheader. In the second game, Trevor Crowe and Stephen Head each had two hits and two RBI, and Argenis Reyes tripled and had three RBI in Kinston's 11-6 win.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Obviously, there needs to be some changes made at this point, the pitching has been horrible the last few weeks.

ABJ

5/11/06

Struggling Tribe needs changes now

By Terry Pluto

<!-- begin body-content -->General Manager Mark Shapiro said he planned to wait about 40 games before making any major judgments and changes with the Indians.
The Indians are 35 games into the season, and there are enough indications of what needs to be changed. The Tribe's record is 17-18 after Wednesday's loss against the Kansas City Royals, but that's deceiving.
Once upon a time, the Indians were 6-1 and seemed serious about contending in the Central Division. Since then, they often have been sloppy and shaky, staggering around as if they were satisfied with the 93 victories and serious contention of 2005.
Let's not hear about the Tribe's 9-14 start last season, and how there are 127 games left. The Indians are in the same division as the World Champion Chicago White Sox, who had baseball's best record at 23-9 heading into Wednesday night's games.
Other than the first week of the season and a few isolated games since, the Indians have played with little urgency and too much comfort. The obvious problem is the pitching, which has sustained some injuries and has been inconsistent.
Let's look at Tuesday's loser, Jason Johnson.
He has allowed 13 runs in his last two starts, covering seven innings. I hear how most of the hits are ground balls, implying he has been a bit unlucky. I have a feeling we're seeing why Johnson has a 44-76 record since 2000. He throws just good enough to make you think he's better than the numbers indicate.
Yes, the Indians signed him to be a fifth starter, but he's 2-2 with a 5.06 ERA and struggling. They have Jeremy Sowers at Class AAA Buffalo, coming off a game in which he allowed one run in 8 1/3 innings. On the season, he's 4-1 with a 1.40 ERA for the Bisons. He was 14-4 at three minor-league levels last season.
Sowers' day is coming. If Johnson continues to pitch as he has lately, I would have no problem with the Indians putting Sowers in the rotation and moving Johnson to long relief.
Options available
Also at Buffalo, Steve Karsay (1.69) and Andrew Brown (2.41) have had some nice moments in the bullpen. Perhaps one of them is ready.
The combination of Jason Davis, Jeremy Guthrie and Danny Graves is not doing the job in middle relief. The Indians have options; they should use them.
In 14 innings, Graves has been shelled for 18 hits, including three homers. He's fooling no one; he has only three strikeouts. His ERA is 5.79 and opponents are hitting .354 against him with a .525 slugging percentage. Last season, he had a 6.52 ERA and was cut by the Reds.
The Indians don't have time to wait for Graves. Begin using Fernando Cabrera in the sixth inning. Continue to work with Guthrie, who has the power arm to be an effective middle reliever. At least those pitchers are young and have a chance to get better.
In Graves and Johnson, the Indians appear to have exactly what the statistics show -- and that's not nearly good enough.
Woes on defense
There are other problems.
Guess who has the lowest fielding average among American League third basemen?
It's Aaron Boone, with five errors. Boone moves well coming in for slowly hit balls, but has struggled on grounders to his left. He's hitting .241 -- only .226 in May -- and .217 in the last 10 games heading into Wednesday.
Do the Indians continue to wait for Boone?
I'd prefer to bring up Andy Marte. Yes, I know Marte has been in a funk lately at Buffalo, but not with his attitude, which remains solid, according to people in the Indians' front office. But he's hitting only .255 with no homers and five RBI. He made three errors in the first week and has six for the season.
Marte had an impressive spring. He also was one of the best players in this same International League last season, when he batted .275 (.372 on-base percentage) with 26 doubles, 20 homers, 74 RBI and 51 runs scored in 109 games at Richmond.
In his mind, he wonders why he's back at Buffalo. If he were off to a hot start, he might force the Indians to promote him. But I'd take a chance and bring him up anyway.
What about Boone?
He can be the utility infielder, even though he has only 21 major-league games at second base and 30 at shortstop. How much does Ramon Vazquez play? They can send Vazquez back to Buffalo, where he's a phone call away.
I saw Marte in spring training and liked him. Scouts whom I respect from other teams believe he can be an impact player. Come on, does anyone really expect Boone to suddenly make a great leap forward?
Boone batted .243 last year. He's hitting .241 this year. He has two homers. Maybe he would perform better playing less and matching up against certain pitchers, the same approach manager Eric Wedge has taken with Ben Broussard and Eduardo Perez.
As for Vazquez, he's 5-of-28 (.179) with a .226 on-base percentage. He can catch the ball in the infield, but has shown few signs that he can hit it.
Maybe this isn't something that must be done now, but it should be considered seriously in the near future.
Overall defense
There are other trouble spots.
Like defense.
Jason Michaels has played a strange left field. He hustles, but has had too many balls get past him, too many times when he dives and comes up empty. Instead of trying for the great play, he needs to play some of those line drives on a bounce and give up a single.
Overall, the Indians have been fuzzy in the field.
They don't throw out baserunners. And why not let Kelly Shoppach catch every week to 10 days? He can throw. Victor Martinez needs some days off.
Or how about this? Yes, the Perez/Broussard platoon is working at first base, but the Indians want Travis Hafner to play at first once interleague competition begins later this month. So every 10th day, the Perez/Broussard combo gets a day off, Martinez becomes the DH, Shoppach the catcher and Hafner plays first.
Do you realize Hafner has yet to play an inning at first base this season? June is not far away.
I'm not suggesting the Indians make all these changes, certainly not right now. But they must consider doing something of significance.
Somehow, the front office and Wedge have to get the attention of the team that the Central Division is not waiting for them. I didn't expect the Indians to play like the White Sox this season, but it's the Detroit Tigers who have a major-league best 3.41 ERA and a sense of confidence about themselves.
Maybe it won't last for the Tigers, but they've made some changes and they are charging. Give them credit. And give the Indians a boot in their baseball behinds, because they can't afford to waste any more of this season.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

5/11/06

TRIBE NOTEBOOK: Wedge: Tribe just not solid

Thursday, May 11, 2006

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By Chris Beaven REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER [/FONT]



KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Chaos on the field at Kauffman Stadium kept Indians Manager Eric Wedge in his office before Wednesday’s game with the Royals.
Wedge peeked outside long enough to see “School Day at the K” festivities: A helicopter in the outfield, exploding fake clouds near the dugouts, the Marching Elvises performing around the pitching mound.
Wedge could laugh about all of that. Not so funny to him is the chaotic performances his team delivered on that field the previous two nights.
“We patch something here, and something else pops up here,” Wedge said.
A road trip that began with promise — a 14-3 rout of Oakland one day after a 7-1 home win over the White Sox — developed into a frustrating 3-5 finish. It leaves the Indians at 17-18 heading into a 10-game homestand that begins Friday.
Poor pitching and baserunning mistakes were problems in two ugly losses to the last-place Royals. But those areas are just part of the team’s disappointing play.
“We’ve just got to solidify everything,” Wedge said.
The Indians continue to lead the league in scoring, at 6.21 runs per game. Wedge is satisfied with consistency there.
He’s not all satisfied with several other areas.
The starting pitching has been shaky, resulting in the bullpen getting stretched early. And the bullpen, thinned by injuries to Rafael Betancourt and Matt Miller, has struggled to get the game into the hands of the late-inning specialists.
“And when we’re not as consistent ... on the mound, the defense has to pick those guys up and that’s not happening either,” Wedge said.
The first step to turning it around would be for starters to last six and seven innings.
“The most important area of the game is starting pitching,” Wedge said.
The bullpen situation could settle over time, as several young relievers gain experience. Injuries thrust Jeremy Guthrie, Jason Davis and Fernando Cabrera into more prominent roles.
“We have people here to get the job done,” Wedge said.
A healthy Betancourt (back strain) would be a big plus. Wedge hopes to have him back next week.
“If he comes back as the Rafael Betancourt we’ve known before, he’ll help us out considerably,” Wedge said.
What also will help out is the players remaining confident.
“What they need to understand is what they’re capable of,” Wedge said. “They need to understand and believe that, and then go out and do that.”

ANOTHER OPTION Wedge said he will use late-inning set-up man Guillermo Mota earlier in games, particularly in the middle of innings with runners on. The bullpen has struggled to get out of those situations. “I’ll do whatever he wants me to do help the team,” said Mota, who took Wednesday’s loss in one of those situations.
BETANCOURT UPDATE Wedge said the injured reliever will throw two innings of a simulated game Friday. If all goes well, Betancourt could make a rehab appearance in the minors Sunday and return early next week.
BAD GAMBLE Wedge said Grady Sizemore went on his own when he tried to score from third on a shallow flyout to left with the bases loaded in Tuesday’s game. He was thrown out. “He was overly aggressive,” Wedge said. The manager added Sizemore is the type of player that learns from those mistakes. “That won’t happen again,” Wedge added.
COMING ON STRONG Reliever Fernando Cabrera has not allowed a run over his last four appearances. Since coming off the disabled list April 30 because of bruised heel, the right-hander has allowed two runs and a walk while striking out five in five innings. “He’s settling in,” Wedge said. “He looks good, he feels good.”
FROM THE MINORS Single-A Kinston swept the Carolina League weekly awards. Lefty Chuck Lofgren was the pitcher of the week, while OF Ryan Goleski was batter of the week. Lofgren won both of his starts, striking out 13. Goleski hit .438 with two homers and 11 RBI.
THIS ‘N’ THAT The Indians had a streak of at least one hit in 13 straight innings end in Wednesday’s second when they were retired in order. ... Jhonny Peralta had never walked more than twice in a game before his four walks Tuesday.
Reach Repository sports writer Chris Beaven at (330) 580-8345 or e-mail: [email protected]


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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

5/11/06

Mota fails to get Indians out of tight jams


Thursday, May 11, 2006

Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter

Kansas City, Mo.- Manager Eric Wedge increased Guillermo Mota's workload for a day. He may think twice about doing it again.

Wedge has been looking for a reliever to pitch out of trouble with runners on base since Rafael Betancourt and Matt Miller went on the disabled list in April. Jason Davis, Jeremy Guthrie and Fernando Cabrera haven't been the answer so Wedge turned to Mota.

He practiced what he preached in Wednesday's 10-8 loss to Kansas City.

Mota, normally the Indians set-up man, relieved Jake Westbrook with runners on second and third, two out and the Royals leading, 6-5. Kerry Robinson greeted him with a two-run triple into the right field corner.

He came back with a scoreless seventh and the Indians responded with three runs in the top of the eighth for an 8-8 tie. Mota went out for the eighth and gave up homers to light-hitting Aaron Guiel and Angel Berroa to seal Kansas City's first sweep of the season.

When a reporter asked Mota what happened, he said, "You didn't see what happened? That's what happened."

Mota (0-2) said he wasn't fazed by coming into the game earlier than normal.

"It's no different," he said. "Pitching is still pitching. I'll do whatever helps the team."

As for the triple and two homers, Mota said, "They were lucky, lucky the whole series."

The Royals hit .373 in the series. They out-hit the Indians, 38-33, and outscored them, 24-18. The move with Mota was prompted by the bullpen's sixth-inning disappearance Tuesday.

The Indians entered with a 6-4 lead and left trailing, 10-6. They used four pitchers in the inning, including starter Jason Johnson and relievers Danny Graves, Scott Sauerbeck and Davis.

Testing, testing:

Betancourt (strained back) will throw a two-inning simulated game Friday. If he's sound, he'll go on a rehab assignment Sunday and could rejoin the Indians sometime next week.

"I think Raffie would help us considerably," Wedge said. "He would push everyone back in the bullpen."

When Betancourt returns, Wedge could send Mota back to the set-up spot.

Oops:

It turned out Grady Sizemore was running on his own Tuesday.

Sizemore, with the bases loaded and no one out in the sixth, tried to score from third on Travis Hafner's fly ball to shallow left field. Esteban German threw him out at the plate for a pivotal double play.

Jeff Datz, who replaced Joel Skinner as third base coach this year, said, "I take full responsibility for not telling Grady to stay. I thought he was going to tag up, go half way and come back. But I should have told him to stay."
Said Sizemore, "I should have stayed. I was trying to get Haf an RBI, but it didn't work the way I wanted."

What gives?

Last year, Wedge felt the Indians started the season poorly because of the pressure of preseason expectations.

"This year, I feel we're just not playing well," Wedge said. "We've got the people, the talent. This year, we brought in some experience. It's up to us to go out and play the way we're capable of playing."

Short shots:

In case you're wondering, Wedge thought third baseman Aaron Boone should have caught Tony Graffanino's RBI double in Tuesday's sixth. As for Casey Blake taking the steam out of the two-run second in the same game by getting caught in a rundown between second and third, he gave Blake a pass. "The ball was air-mailed [high throw] from center field, but it died and they cut it off," Wedge said. "Everyone who saw it said the same thing."

Finally:

Sizemore's error in the sixth Wednesday was his first in 96 games.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-5158

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/12/06

Tribe bullpen in need of face-lift

Shapiro addresses inconsistent pitching as concern, says role and personnel changes are forthcoming

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - General Manager Mark Shapiro was unequivocal in his assessment of the Indians on Thursday.
``In general, I'm disappointed and concerned,'' Shapiro said. ``And not just because of the last three days. All that did was bring to a head things we were evaluating for a period of time.''
``The last three days,'' or ``The Series that Will Live in Infamy,'' refers to the Tribe being swept by the Kansas City Royals, who had the worst record in the big leagues, at least until the wobbly Wahoos showed up in Kansas City on Monday night.
It's no secret where the problem lies: Indians pitching has been deficient, particularly in the bullpen, and Shapiro vowed to make changes.
In talking about the relief corps, he said, ``Other than Bob Wickman, we really haven't had anyone pitch effectively in the bullpen.
``I'm not giving a timeline, but there are going to be changes in roles and personnel. Rafael Betancourt can make the biggest impact, but that is not the only move we're going to consider.''
Betancourt has been on the disabled list with a strained back muscle but probably will be activated early or midway through next week.
More than likely, there will be other adjustments in the bullpen, beginning tonight against the Detroit Tigers.
Shapiro's best options at Triple-A Buffalo probably are Steve Karsay (1.69 ERA, 16 IP, 1 BB, 12 SO) and Brian Slocum (1.35 ERA, 13 1/3 IP).
Karsay remained in the team's extended spring training program to regain his edge before going to Triple-A. Whether Karsay is big-league ready yet, Shapiro wouldn't say.
Slocum made his major-league debut earlier in the season and after an initial clinker, seemed to adjust to the higher level of play.
In addition, Shapiro did not rule out calling up Fausto Carmona to help out in the bullpen, even though he has been a career starter.
Andrew Brown probably would be in the mix except for one thing: He throws hard, but he has not mastered the strike zone, having walked 17 in 20 2/3 Triple-A innings. He had the same difficulty in training camp.
Shapiro wouldn't rule out calling up a reliever from the Double-A Aeros. The two most logical choices are lefty Tony Sipp and closer Edward Mujica.
Sipp has been strengthening his arm as a starter (2.14 ERA, 21 IP, 15 H, 6 BB). Opposing batters are hitting only .197 against him.
Mujica already has eight saves and has yet to allow an earned run (he has given up one unearned run) in 19 innings. He has yielded 11 hits, nine walks and has struck out 17. Opposing hitters are batting .169 against him.
Keep in mind that Shapiro also mentioned pitchers changing roles. Was he referring to Guillermo Mota, the setup man who gave up two home runs in the eighth inning Wednesday to give the 10-8 win to the Royals?
Shapiro didn't name names, but Mota, like many of his lodge brothers, too often has been ineffective. He has compiled a 6.14 ERA in 13 appearances and allowed 12 walks and four home runs in 14 2/3 innings.
Who would be the setup man for Wickman, if not Mota? Possibly Jason Davis, at least until Betancourt returns.
For the moment, Mota's roster spot is not in jeopardy.
The same cannot be said of Danny Graves, who has compiled a 5.79 ERA and given up three homers in 14 innings. Opposing batters are hitting .354 against him, which on this staff is nothing extraordinary (They're hitting .400 against Mota).
The rotation has not been a picture of stability, either, and Shapiro didn't mince words about that.
``What has become apparent in the past 30 games is that the mix in the bullpen is not working,'' he said. ``But that's not the only issue.
``Bob Wickman, Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia have done a good job. The other nine slots on the staff have to do better.''
That includes Paul Byrd (4-3, 6.52 ERA) and Jason Johnson (2-2, 5.82 ERA).
One note on momentum: Byrd's ERA a couple of weeks ago was 9.15; Johnson's ERA is moving in the opposite direction.
Nevertheless, don't anticipate any changes among the starting pitchers in the short term.
``I feel strongly right now that a change in the rotation is not in order,'' Shapiro said. ``I think Byrd is trending in the right direction, and we're not going to jump off guys haphazardly.''
Shapiro said nothing about Johnson.
If at a later date, Shapiro alters course and summons a starter from the farm system, he said, ``I would feel comfortable calling up Jeremy Sowers.''
And another thing
In addition to being critical of the pitching, Shapiro isn't too thrilled about the defense, which is tied for last in the American League with the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles in errors (25).
The Tribe is 10th in turning double plays.
``I have not been happy with the team defense,'' Shapiro said. ``Two or three guys have done a good job. Other than that, everyone else can do better.
``This is not our biggest problem, but it's another area that we need to address.''
And furthermore
Shapiro does not think the club's numerous base-running gaffes is something that will continue.
``It's been ugly, and it sticks with you,'' he said. ``I want it to be better, but we're not much different than most teams, and it's not our biggest problem.''
To sum it up
For now, it appears that any personnel moves will involve players already in the Tribe farm system.
``I've talked to teams about trades, but this is not prime trading time,'' Shapiro said. ``Guys who are traded now usually are players who are failing. I'm not sure I want to look at them.''
Farm facts
Jake Dittler (1-6, 5.56 ERA) gave up four runs in five innings, as Buffalo dropped a 6-3 decision to Rochester.
Lou Merloni had three hits, raising his average to .327.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/13/06

Indians' struggles continue

Tribe loses fourth game in row as Rogers, Tigers keep them baffled

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - At least, it was close. The Indians finished second for the fourth consecutive time, but they made a game of it.
The Detroit Tigers came away with a 5-4 win Friday night at Jacobs Field, thanks to Kenny Rogers and Cliff Lee.
Rogers, the starter for the Tigers, in his usual fashion, held the Tribe in check. Lee, on the other hand, was just a little too vulnerable.
``We lost because of me today,'' said Lee (2-4, 4.04 ERA). ``It was totally my fault.''
That would be an overstatement of the first magnitude, inasmuch as three more base-running mistakes cost the Indians at least one run.
``That wasn't the reason we lost,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ``But all these things contributed. Little things add up.''
On attack, Casey Blake swatted two home runs. Unfortunately for the Indians, both came with nobody on base.
The one positive note: No Indians reliever gave up a run. Jason Davis and Bob Wickman combined to throw two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.
So it's back to the drawing board for Wedge and his troops, who might be pressing.
``We talk about separating from game to game,'' Wedge said. ``You have to block all of this out and come to the park the next day ready to play again.''
Considering the way the Tribe pitching staff has been leaking runs lately, Lee's performance seemed exemplary, to say the least. But a closer look at his pitching line revealed five runs allowed in seven innings.
That put Lee's outing in a different light. He gave up 11 hits, including home runs by Marcus Thames and Craig Monroe, but his saving grace was not yielding a walk and striking out seven.
The Tigers didn't get as much as they could have with the number of hits they produced.
In the first three innings, Lee gave up three singles, a double, plus Thames' homer, but Detroit managed only one run.
Lee yielded another on Monroe's leadoff double in the fifth and Brandon Inge's bouncing single through the middle.
``Cliff was rolling along,'' Wedge said. ``He threw the ball well, and he was strong. But he kind of ran into it in the seventh.''
If Lee had held the line there, nobody would have had cause to criticize his workmanship.
But in the seventh, after the Indians had tied the score 2-2, Lee gave up Monroe's two-run homer, plus Ivan Rodriguez's RBI double to push the Tigers' lead to 5-2.
``That home run in the seventh kind of got me,'' Lee said. ``That was pretty much it. When we score, my job is to keep the momentum going and get us back in the dugout as quickly as possible.''
In the meantime, Rogers (6-2, 3.23 ERA) did his usual number on the Tribe.
Throwing slow and slower, the Tiger veteran limited the Indians to two runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings.
The Tribe wasted an opportunity in the first inning, when Jason Michaels singled with one out, then got picked off.
``Rogers has one of the better moves around,'' Wedge said. ``You can't let yourself get picked off like that.''
Blake's solo blast in the fifth should have been a two-run homer.
However, Eduardo Perez, batting ahead of Blake, was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double.
``Eddie was being overly aggressive,'' Wedge said. ``But the ball was off the wall, the play was in front of him, so that shouldn't have happened.''
Perez's explanation was a little different.
``It was a wet track,'' he said, referring to pregame showers. ``Some horses don't run well on a wet track.''
Michaels' double and Travis Hafner's bloop single produced another run in the sixth, but Hafner was caught in a rundown between first and second and tagged out.
Blake's led off the seventh with his second homer off a 97-mph fastball against hard-throwing Joel Zumaya.
In the eighth, Grady Sizemore led off with a walk and stopped at second on Michaels' single.
Jhonny Peralta yanked a potential double-play grounder to short, and Michaels was forced at second.
But Placido Polanco's relay to first was over the head of Chris Shelton for an error that allowed Sizemore to score.
Peralta ended up on second and advanced to third after Hafner's long fly to right field, but Victor Martinez bounced out to end the rally one run short of a tie.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/13/06

Indians notebook

Carmona called to bolster bullpen

Graves designated for assignment as rookie makes return

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - The Indians waited until after Friday night's game, but as promised, General Manager Mark Shapiro made a move to bolster the bullpen.
Fausto Carmona was called up from Class AAA Buffalo, and Danny Graves was designated for assignment, which means the Tribe has 10 days to trade, release or send him to the minors.
Graves would have to give his permission and clear waivers to end up back at Triple-A.
But why Carmona, who is a starter in waiting?
``With his arm and his stuff, we think he can help us,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ``We'll use him somewhere in the middle and go from there.''
At Buffalo, Carmona, 22, was 0-3 with a 4.84 ERA in four starts. He made his major-league debut by starting three times (1-2, 7.94 ERA) for C.C. Sabathia, who was on the disabled list.
Wedge does not regard this as a prelude to a career change for Carmona, who will remain a starter for the long term.
``For me, this is more a need for us right now,'' Wedge said.
Graves was unable to settle in after making the team in spring training. In 13 appearances, he was 2-1 with a 5.79 ERA.
``Danny showed signs, but this was about inconsistency,'' Wedge said. ``He needs to keep pitching. He's come a long way since last year. Danny has a huge heart, and he's a great competitor.''
Wedge also altered the job description of setup man Guillermo Mota, who has struggled along with most of his bullpen lodge brothers.
``We've been looking at our bullpen, and one thing we'll probably do is get Mota more work, get him into games more frequently,'' Wedge said. ``We've been waiting until the eighth inning to use him, but I think we'll use him earlier.
``That should get him out there more often and maybe keep his pitch count down. Hopefully, giving him more consistent work will get him back on track.''
Mota entered in the eighth inning of an 8-8 tie against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday and gave up two solo homers to lose the game. Before that, he hadn't pitched since May 5.
It wasn't clear whether Wedge intended to continue using Mota as the setup man for Bob Wickman when it fit Mota's routine. But the manager mentioned two other pitchers who can take over that role.
``We'll try to give Jason Davis and Fernando Cabrera more work late in games,'' Wedge said.
Moreover, when Rafael Betancourt (strained back muscle) comes off the disabled list, presumably early next week, he will slip into the setup role.
Betancourt pitched a two-inning, 40-pitch simulated game indoors Friday and is scheduled to throw one inning in a rehab assignment for the Aeros on Sunday.
``I'll be ready to pitch on Tuesday for the team,'' Betancourt said. ``I feel good, and 10 days ago, I don't know if I could say that.''
Getting out the vote
All-Star balloting began Friday night at Jacobs Field and will run through June 21, a total of 23 home dates.
Fans also can vote on Indians.com and at Indians Team Shops. The All-Star Game is July 11 in Pittsburgh.
Making the rounds
Lenny Barker was a busy man Friday, making countless appearances on radio and TV to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his perfect game.
Barker met Curtis Danburg, manager of the communications and creative services for the Indians, at Jacobs Field to tape a live interview on Channel 3 at 5:30 a.m. Then it was on to radio stations WTAM, WGAR, WMVX and WMJI, finishing by 8:30. In the afternoon, Barker did a phone interview on WKNR radio and appeared live on WTAM again.
Farm facts
Ryan Garko hit his fourth homer of the season and Ben Francisco hit his sixth, as Buffalo defeated Rochester 7-3. Jason Stanford (1-3, 3.82 ERA) gave up two runs in six innings.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

5/13/06

INDIANS NOTEBOOK

Graves gone in bullpen change

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Scott Priestle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CLEVELAND — Indians relievers recently discussed shaving their heads, as a sign of solidarity and in the hopes of changing their fortunes. Closer Bob Wickman balked, so Danny Graves compromised and got 3 inches chopped off what had been a shoulderlength do.
"I don’t care," he said. "I’ve had short hair, long hair, blond hair, all kinds of hair. Even cornrows Whatever we have to do to change things, we’ll try it."
Indians officials had more significant changes in mind. So after a 5-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers last night, they designated Graves for assignment and promoted rookie Fausto Carmona, who will work out of the bullpen beginning tonight.
"We felt like we needed to make a move, get an arm like Fausto’s up here and work him in," manager Eric Wedge said.
The Indians will use Carmona as the Tigers have used Joel Zumaya, the White Sox have used Brandon McCarthy and the Twins have used Francisco Liriano: They will let him apprentice for a spot in the bigleague rotation by first bailing out the big-league bullpen.
Carmona, 22, went 1-2 with a 7.94 ERA in three starts earlier this season.
Graves was 2-1 with a 5.79 ERA in 13 games. The Indians have 10 days to trade or release him.
Indians relievers have posted a combined 5.48 ERA, nearly twice their league-best ERA a year ago. Cleveland also should get Rafael Betancourt back from the disabled list Tuesday.
Betancourt threw 40 pitches off the mound yesterday and felt no discomfort in his upper back. He is to pitch one inning for double-A Akron on Sunday, then re-join the Indians.
"I want to be part of the bullpen, not the guy who is going to turn anything around," he said. "We’re a team."
Graves was not available for comment after the game, but before the game he seemed resigned to his fate.
"Any major-league team I’ve been on, you don’t keep the same guys from April 1 to Oct. 1," he said. "Sometimes it’s injuries, sometimes it’s bad performance. Whatever it takes to spark the team, if it’s me or somebody else — it happens."
Down on the farm

Entering a double-header yesterday, double-A reliever Edward Mujica had allowed only one unearned run in 19 innings. ... Andy Marte snapped a 3-for-30 slump with a two-run home run last night for Buffalo, his first in 118 at-bats. ... Veteran reliever Felix Heredia was released from Buffalo. Vic Darensbourg, another veteran lefty, took his roster spot.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/14/06

Tigers 3, Indians 0

Bonderman baffling, Indians' skid hits five

Sabathia strikes out 10 in eight innings, gets little help from teammates

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - It's tough to be on a team, but not part of it. C.C. Sabathia found himself on the outside looking in Saturday night at rain-soaked Jacobs Field.
Most every Indians player that participated in the 3-0 loss to the Detroit Tigers had a hand in making it happen.
Then there was Sabathia. What did he do wrong? Oh sure, he gave up all the runs, but one of them was unearned -- unearned to a fault -- because of errors by Aaron Boone and Jhonny Peralta in the sixth inning.
But at least they were in on the action. They can say, ``We helped lose it.'' It would be a stretch to say that about Sabathia, who in eight innings allowed six hits and one intentional walk, while striking out 10.
Giving up two earned runs to the hard-hitting Tigers is like holding Kobe Bryant under double figures.
``C.C. was really good,'' Indians manager Eric Wedge said. ``It was a great effort by him tonight. He gave us every opportunity to stay in the game and win it. Actually, he went beyond that. I thought he was outstanding.''
Wedge did not have the same high praise for Peralta, who on one play demonstrated a lack of hustle, a trait the manager will not abide.
With two outs and a runner on first in the eighth, Peralta topped a slow roller down the first-base line. Initially, it crawled into foul territory, but swerved fair about 30 feet from the bag.
First baseman Chris Shelton tracked it closely, and when the ball took a turn into fair territory, he grabbed it and ran to the base.
Peralta barely jogged down the line. If he had run hard, he probably would have forced Shelton to pick the ball up in foul ground, keeping the at-bat alive.
``That bothered me about as much as anything that's happened this year,'' Wedge said, seething. ``We talked about it. He thought the ball was (going to stay) foul, but it was too close to assume that.
``Whenever anything like that happens it's bad, any way you cut it. It doesn't matter what the score or the situation is.''
Sabathia put the Tribe's mistakes -- three errors and Peralta's misjudgment -- in perspective when he said: ``We're in a slump. It seems like everything that can go wrong will go wrong. But we're a good team, and I know we'll come out of it.''
With Sabathia (2-1, 2.31 ERA) having done his job, the reason for the Tribe's fifth-consecutive loss had to lie elsewhere, and it wasn't difficult to figure out where. In addition to the two crucial errors, plus another harmless one (by Ronnie Belliard), Tribe hitters were rendered helpless by Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman.
There's no embarrassment in getting beat by Bonderman, though the Indians usually make life miserable for him. Coming into Saturday night's game, he had a 4-8 record and 6.81 ERA against the Indians.
The last time Bonderman faced the Tribe, April 15 in Cleveland, he took the loss, giving up seven runs in 3 2/3 innings.
``He did a better job with his breaking ball tonight,'' Wedge said.
Bonderman's checkered past quickly became irrelevant, when he took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. Todd Hollandsworth broke it up with a two-out double, but that had little bearing on the outcome of the game.
``We didn't lose because of one thing here or one thing there,'' Sabathia said. ``Bonderman was just on. He was the story.''
Ben Broussard concurred.
``It seemed like he would get ahead, then set guys up,'' he said. ``After that, he'd throw his slider down in the zone, and it was hard to lay off. He got two strikes on a lot of guys then used that put-away pitch.''
Wedge gave Bonderman his due but qualified his praise.
``Bonderman was good, but we could have done a better job,'' he said. ``Our guys could have made him work harder. He threw 20 pitches (actually 18) in the first inning, then coasted.''
Bonderman finished with 98 pitches.
The closest the Indians came to scoring against Bonderman -- and it wasn't close at all -- came in the sixth, when Grady Sizemore led off with a single and stopped at second on Casey Blake's infield hit.
Peralta followed with a broken-bat, soft liner to shortstop Ramon Santiago, who took two steps and thumped the second-base bag with his shoe, beating Sizemore for a double play.
Like Sabathia, Bonderman (4-2, 3.74 ERA) pitched through the eighth inning and allowed three hits and three walks, hitting one batter but striking out eight.
For the first time at Jacobs Field this season, a game (which started 10 minutes late) was delayed by rain. The only other weather stoppage occurred in the opener at Chicago.
The Tribe lost both games.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/14/06

Ocker on the Indians

Tribe must clean up this mess of a team

Now, Indians in no position to make run for division title or wild card

By Sheldon Ocker

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - The Indians are a mess.
Things can change, and quickly, but as presently constituted, this is not a team that is ready to challenge for the Central Division championship or the American League wild-card berth.
Manager Eric Wedge can't feel anything but insecure when Jason Johnson and Paul Byrd start.
Johnson has pitched every bit like the guy who came to the Tribe 34 games below .500 in all or parts of nine major-league seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers.
The company line is that at least a part of Johnson's inability to win had to do with pitching on bad teams. That could be, but maybe he was part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
No doubt, if he had pitched for the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox, he would have won a few more games. The Yankees and Red Sox never sought him out and probably for good reason.
Backed by the opinion of a scout from another AL team and my own observations, I thought that Johnson might have turned the corner by becoming a sinkerball pitcher midway through last season. So far, his new weapon has not been a magic bullet.
Then there's Byrd. He is the consummate pitcher. He knows what to do and when to do it, partly because he never has been a guy with an overpowering fastball or a breaking pitch that buckles hitters' knees.
Moreover, injuries have cut into his physical ability. So he has learned the hard way how to win, but won he has.
Byrd is an admirable example of a player who makes the most of what he has. He is the overachiever, a thinking man's athlete with the capacity to adapt to whatever adverse conditions he is facing.
This season, his control has failed him, the one thing that he always could count on. It's not that he walks five or six batters every start. Most of the hitters whom he has walked have come around to score, because he has gotten behind in the count to subsequent batters and has had to take his chances at throwing fat pitches.
The odds say that Byrd will figure out what he has been doing wrong and become a winner again. What if he doesn't? What if both he and Johnson continue to live on the edge and often slide into the abyss?
Then there's the bullpen. The season had hardly begun when Rafael Betancourt, Matt Miller and Fernando Cabrera got hurt.
Miller will not be back this season. Cabrera has returned, but he's just a talented kid who has yet to learn to ignore the base runners who threaten his well-being when he trots in from the bullpen.
Wedge probably will get Betancourt back Tuesday, and it will be none too soon. Whether Betancourt can immediately gain his fine edge is open to question.
Like Cabrera, Jason Davis -- having grown up as a starter -- is unaccustomed to seeing runners on base when he enters a game. There's no reason why he can't adjust to that situation. While Davis undergoes on-the-job training, Wedge must cross his fingers and hope that the learning curve is swift and directly upward.
It was thought that Danny Graves would become the veteran presence who stops the enemy in the midst of a rally. Graves has been there. He closed successfully for the Cincinnati Reds, and he has pitched in every kind of situation.
Graves neither had the kind of stuff that made him a valued closer nor the pinpoint control that kept opposing hitters off balance. That's why he's gone.
What else? Oh yes, is there a worse base-running team than the Indians? How many runners have been thrown out on the bases unnecessarily? And why do they keep making the same mistakes?
Through Friday, 15 Tribe runners had been tagged out on the bases, with Jason Michaels and Casey Blake leading the pack with three each.
Does it really matter if the base running is less than perfect? In the 5-4 loss to the Tigers on Friday, blunders on the bases cost the Indians at least one run.
This is not an issue of executing drills in spring training. Some players excel at base running, others don't. Certain players have an instinct for doing the right thing (Grady Sizemore, Aaron Boone), others don't (all the rest).
No, that isn't fair. Not everyone on the Indians has screwed up on the bases but far too many have and repeatedly.
Of course, there's no sense even talking about the steals allowed by the Tribe. It's a given that if an opposing runner takes off from first or second, he will be safe at the next base.
What to do about this? Catcher Victor Martinez never will turn into Johnny Bench. Therefore, pitchers must take the initiative and hold runners to their bases as much as possible.
As for the offense, it's fine. The hitters will produce. This is not a team that will lead the league in home runs, but the pitchers will have plenty of runs to work with.
So far, I have dwelled on the team's deficiencies and not the cure. Maybe Fausto Carmona can help settle the bullpen. Also, once Betancourt is activated, Wedge will have a reliable, consistent reliever to stop rallies.
If Byrd or Johnson (or both) fail to make a turnaround, maybe Jeremy Sowers can make a successful leap to the big leagues.
Neither of these moves can be described as playing the odds, because young pitchers, even talented ones, usually take time to develop in the big leagues. General Manager Mark Shapiro has the money to make one or more trades in July, but the current dilemma won't wait that long.
And keep one thing in mind: Not all problems lend themselves to quick and easy solutions.
Ranking the mediocre
You've heard it often enough: ``He's only a .500 pitcher.'' But where does a starter rank who wins half his games? How many win more than half?
In the past three years, since 2003, 64.6 percent of pitchers with at least 26 starts per season have won more than half their decisions.
The three-year totals: 271 starters won more than half their decisions; 78 lost more than they won; 18 were .500, putting them in the most exclusive group.
Keep in mind that there are scores of pitchers with fewer than 26 starts who fail to win at least half their decisions. It says something for the starter's credibility to keep the job the entire season.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/14/06

Class AAA Buffalo

<!-- begin body-content -->News from around the Indians' minor-league system. (Statistics are through Thursday.)
Class AAA Buffalo
STATUS: The Bisons are 18-18 overall, 5-5 over their last 10 games, and have dropped to third in the International League North Division behind Scranton and Rochester.
WHO'S HOT: The Indians' 2004 first-round pick, left-hander Jeremy Sowers, improved to 4-1 and lowered his ERA to 1.40 In his start Wednesday, the left-hander gave up one run on six hits in 8 1/3 innings while striking out three in Buffalo's 3-1 victory over Ottawa. In seven starts spanning 45 innings, he has limited opponents to seven earned runs while striking out 26.
WHO'S NOT: Although he made his major-league debut with the Indians last month and was recently called up again, prospect right-handed pitcher Fausto Carmona has been so-so at Buffalo. In four starts, the right-hander is 0-3 with a 4.84 ERA. In 22 1/3 innings, he has allowed 12 earned runs, including giving up a pair of home runs. He has shown command, striking out 22 with just four walks.
WHAT'S UP WITH . . . : Former major-league veteran Steve Karsay has looked good since joining the Bisons from extended spring training two weeks ago, going 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA in seven appearances. In 16 innings, Karsay, a right-hander, has allowed three earned runs (including two home runs) and has struck out 12 while walking one.
Class AA Akron
STATUS: The Aeros are 10-2 over their last 12 games and are coming off a three-game sweep at Erie. With a 22-12 record, Akron owns a 1 ½-game lead over Altoona in the Eastern League Southern Division.
WHO'S HOT: Aeros outfielder Jon Van Every is batting .309 (34-for-110) with nine doubles, three triples, four home runs and 19 RBI. Although he has struck out 36 times in 31 games, he also owns a team-leading 15 walks.
WHO'S NOT: Shortstop Brandon Pinckney is batting .214 (3-for-14) in four games since joining the Aeros from Class-A Kinston last week.... Side-arming right-hander Jim Ed Warden is still looking to find his form (0-0 with a 5.02 ERA in 14 relief appearances). Over 14 1/3 innings, the right-hander has allowed eight earned runs and seven walks.
NEWCOMER: Right-hander Kyle Collins joined the Aeros on Thursday from Class-A Kinston, where he was 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in 13 appearances. In 15 1/3 innings, Collins had given up two earned runs while striking out 15 and walking seven.
Class A Kinston
STATUS: The Indians have gone 7-3 over their last 10 games to improve to 22-10 and increase their lead in the Carolina League Southern Division to six games over Myrtle Beach.
WHO'S HOT: Outfielder Ryan Goleski is batting .289 (22-for-76) with three doubles, four home runs and 20 RBI in 25 games.... Second baseman Argenis Reyes is hitting .280 (37-for-132) with six doubles, three triples and 18 RBI.
WHO'S NOT: Outfielder Jordan Brown is hitting .243 (26-for-107) with five doubles and nine RBI. He has struck out 14 times and walked four times in 26 games.
PROSPECT UPDATE: In four games since joining Kinston from extended spring training, first baseman Michael Aubrey is batting .200 (3-for-15) with two doubles and six RBI. Aubrey has not begun playing every day.
Class A Lake County
STATUS: The Captains are 3-7 over their last 10 games, dropping into fourth place in the South Atlantic League Northern Division with a 17-16 record.
WHO'S HOT: In seven starts, right-hander James Deters has 40 strikeouts and just six walks. He is 2-1 with a 3.51 ERA.... Another right-handed starter, Kevin Dixon, is 2-1 with a 1.36 ERA in seven starts, striking out 21 in 39 2/3 innings. He earned a promotion Thursday to Kinston.
WHO'S NOT: Catcher Omar Casillas is hitting .161 (10-for-62) with 20 strikeouts in 18 games.... Reserve infielder P.J. Hiser is batting .111 (3-for-27) with 14 strikeouts in eight games.
WHO'S OUT: Catcher Chris Gimenez was placed on the disabled list week with a right thumb ligament tear. He was batting .203 (13-for-64) with 16 strikeouts in 19 games. Catcher Josh Roberts was transferred from the Mahoning Valley roster to take his roster spot in Lake County.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/15/06

Tigers capture rare sweep in Cleveland

Streak reaches six; Indians still upbeat

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - Six-game losing streaks are not uncommon, so the Indians are not approaching historic territory. At least not yet.
But in dropping a 3-2 decision to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday at Jacobs Field, the Tribe did shatter a milestone that stood for almost 16 years. Not since June of 1990 had the Tigers swept a series in Cleveland.
The celebratory parade will not be today.
``Detroit is playing good baseball, but our guys fought the whole game,'' Indians manager Eric Wedge said. ``They're right there, ready to pop out of this.''
If the losing lasts long enough, some players are apt to show up at the ballpark expecting things to go wrong.
``No, that's not it with us,'' Indians third baseman Aaron Boone said.
``We come in thinking today's the day we're going to get it going. It's not as fun when you lose a few in a row, but we get here thinking this is the day we're going to shake hands.
``Tomorrow, we'll come in with that feeling. I think everyone in here knows how good we are and how good we can be.''
Unfortunately for the Indians, saying it is a lot easier than proving it on the field.
As has been the pattern during the losing streak, more than one aspect of the game went awry for the Tribe. Much of it had to do with the Tigers doing things right.
Foremost among those was the pitching. Mike Maroth dominated for six innings, giving up one unearned run and seven hits.
He was vulnerable only in the fifth inning, when Casey Blake and Boone singled with one out to put runners on first and second. Grady Sizemore also followed with a single to right that Magglio Ordonez bobbled for an error that allowed Blake to score.
Maroth (5-2, 2.18 ERA), a lefty who changes speeds and commands the plate, almost always gives the Indians problems. He entered the game with a 7-3 career record and 3.30 ERA against the Tribe, including a 1-0 win April 16 at Comerica Park.
``There are a lot of successful pitchers like him,'' Boone said, naming Jamie Moyer, Kenny Rogers and Mark Buehrle, among others. ``It's not all stuff. What I mean it's not always what the radar gun says.
``A guy can have good stuff and throw 89. You ask, `How's his heater?' Someone will say, `It's good.' Maybe another pitcher throws 94, and you say, `It's good to hit.' ''
A rain delay ended Maroth's tenure on the mound, but the Tigers' bullpen gave up only one run.
The Indians put five runners on base in the final two innings, but the only score came on a pinch-hit sacrifice fly by Ben Broussard.
Jason Johnson started for the Tribe and for a change navigated through each inning with a lethal efficiency. For six innings, he gave up five hits and one walk, and only three runners reached second.
But in the seventh, Carlos Guillen led off with a single, Chris Shelton followed with a single, and Craig Monroe doubled to score one run, leaving Shelton on third and Monroe on second.
That was the end of the line for Johnson (2-3, 5.44 ERA), who gave way to Fernando Cabrera. Vance Wilson, the first batter he faced, slapped a spinning ground ball toward first.
With Shelton running on contact, Eduardo Perez tried to capture the ball in his glove, thinking he would make a quick throw to the plate. Instead the ball got by him for an error, and both runners scored.
Ballgame. Yet another error -- the 29th for the team -- had contributed to the Tribe's slide. But this time, there were mitigating circumstances.
``Obviously when you're not playing well, that kind of thing looks bad,'' Boone said. ``But that is a very tough play.''
Said Perez, ``There was a lot of spin on it coming off the end of the bat. Sometimes it's as tough to grab that kind of grounder as it is to catch a knuckleball. You don't know which way to go. It played me good.''
Had no runner been on third, Perez would have opted to block the ball.
``That's the beauty of playing first base,'' he said. ``You just have to knock it down.''
According to Wedge, ``That ball literally came off the top of the bat and had a lot of English. It just squirted away from Perez.''
Another key play involved one of the Tribe's weaknesses: getting down sacrifice bunts.
After Boone walked to lead off the ninth, Sizemore laid down a bunt. Wilson leaped out from behind the plate to glove the ball and made a dangerous throw to second, his one-hop throw barely beating Boone.
But the way the Indians have been going, it was almost the percentage play