Indians Tidbits (2006 season)..

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

6/23/06

Indians notebook

Time for Tribe to get tougher, Wedge says

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - There is no magic formula to turn the Indians' season around. But one thing seems clear: The team needs an attitude adjustment.
``We've got to be tougher,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ``And we're not showing that right now.''
On the other hand, Wedge and pitcher C.C. Sabathia insist the team is trying.
``If someone told me that he was quitting, I wouldn't associate with him anymore,'' Sabathia said.
Season not over
General Manager Mark Shapiro said not to expect wholesale trading of veterans if or when the Indians fall completely out of the race.
``There are a few guys we might consider trading,'' he said. ``But we don't have to trade anybody. If I can make a deal that makes us better now and in the future, I would certainly consider it.''
Shapiro isn't trying to con anyone into thinking that the team is on the verge of making a big move in the standings.
``Can we get back in the race? I don't know,'' he said. ``But that's our focus. And pulling the plug is not in our vocabulary.''
Sudoku fever
Sudoku has been sweeping the nation and recently landed in the Tribe clubhouse.
Outfielder Jason Michaels has been caught in the Sudoku web.
``I probably play three or four games a day,'' he said. ``I can usually do one in 10-15 minutes.
``It takes my mind off other things, and I can put on my headphones on the (team) charter and go at the puzzles.''
In Sudoku, the player tries to arrange numbers from one through nine in various patterns.
The Marte factor
Triple-A Buffalo third baseman Andy Marte has gone on a major power surge the past two weeks, increasing his home run total from three to 11.
That does not mean the Tribe is prepared to dump Aaron Boone and bring up Marte.
``I'm excited that Andy has gotten it going,'' Shapiro said. ``That might present a question at some point. But he's not coming up here unless we can find a place for him that can help us.''
In other words, Marte won't be summoned to the big leagues to sit on the bench, and unless Boone falls into a lengthy slump, he will continue to be the third baseman.
Cincy man
Brandon Phillips warmed up for his trip to Cleveland by driving in the tying and winning runs with a single in the ninth inning Wednesday night against the New York Mets.
Phillips, whom the Indians traded to the Cincinnati Reds in early April, is batting .312 with seven homers and 42 RBI. He also has stolen 14 bases and has yet to be thrown out.
Until Wednesday night, Phillips had made only one error since May 4. He has five for the season.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

6/23/06

Tribe leaders causing losses

Friday, June 23, 2006

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Indians starter C.C. Sabathia hasn’t helped of late, going 0-3 in June as the team has slipped seven games under .500.​

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CLEVELAND - Before Mark Shapiro went before the cameras and delivered his word to fans via the media, he took a deep breath.

It was Tuesday evening and the Indians still weren’t a good team. But the Cleveland general manager made a move — however subtle it may have been — in ridding the rotation of Jason Johnson. If we’re being honest here, Johnson was the worst idea Shapiro has had in his five seasons in charge.
Eventually, the conversation turned to how Shapiro was holding up during a miserable season. After all, this summer was supposed to be the summer of contention. It was supposed to be the year when it all came together, and is, instead, crashing down like unlocked Legos.

“I’m happy in my life, my personal life,” Shapiro said. “I’m not happy where the club is.”

Cleveland’s dismal 32-39 record is putting Shapiro in a tough spot. Clearly, moving Johnson can be seen as both a move of necessity (he stunk), and a move to get his team’s attention (they stink).

But the Indians, right now, lack leadership. They have no veteran player the rest of the clubhouse looks up to on a daily basis. They have some young players who tasted success a year ago, but no one who’s proven themselves over the test of time.

“What makes this frustrating — and it’s not acceptable and it is disappointing no matter what — is you can’t pinpoint what’s wrong,” Shapiro said.

Apparently, everything isn’t an option.

“It’s still a moving target,” he said. “Our starting pitching (before C.C. Sabathia imploded Wednesday night after Ben Broussard and Ronnie Belliard lit the wick) has been better over the last three weeks. It just happens that we haven’t been hitting that well over the last three weeks. We were being congratulated for the best bullpen in the the big leagues last year.”

Last year might be part of this year’s problem. Maybe the players believed the hype. It was a notion Manager Eric Wedge didn’t dismiss.

When times are brutal, fingers point. Point most of them at Wedge, Shapiro and owner Larry Dolan. Lay the rest, what’s left, at the feet of the players. They’re likely to stumble over it.

Wedge expects his team to start playing with an edge. Just as soon as he gets his, they will as well. He shouldn’t be fired ... yet, but look what a veteran manager is doing in Detroit.

Shapiro is walking a fine line right now. He shot down the notion the team will try to compete and rebuild at the same time.

OK, then, how about retool? If Cleveland continues to lose at this pace, Shapiro will deal veteran players and stock the shelves. He’ll dump salary and you’ll watch a Class AAAA team the rest of the season with prospects like Jeremy Sowers and Andy Marte.

You’ll be promised tomorrow again because Dolan is chasing the chicken-vs.-the-egg theory, never willing to pay enough for either.

In a nutshell, Dolan will spend money as soon as the fans pack more fannies in the seats. Fans won’t spend their money until Dolan spends his, and that’s the way it should be.

Dolan overpaid for this team and bought it when the stock was falling from an all-time high. It isn’t Dick Jacobs’ fault that he enjoyed the late 1990s as the only show in town with Browns gones and the Cavs lingering in mediocrity.

Dolan wouldn’t spend Jim Thome money, so Cleveland’s rivals, the World Series champion White Sox, did. Wedge didn’t want Brandon Phillips on the roster. Cincinnati didn’t mind him and he’s hitting over .300 for the Reds.

Shapiro passed on Kevin Millwood because of money and health. Millwood is Texas’ best pitcher at 8-3. Shapiro also said dealing Coco Crisp to Boston wouldn’t hurt the team this year. Ahem.

This isn’t just all bad luck.

The Indians made of some of this themselves.
Reach Repository sports writer Todd Porter at (330) 580-8340 or e-mail: [email protected]

Canton

6/23/06

Laker hopes to become a coach

Friday, June 23, 2006


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CLEVELAND - Tim Laker says he’s ready for the next chapter in his life. He’s just putting off turning the page as long as possible.
“I told (Indians farm director) John Farrell in spring training that coaching would definitely be something I’d want to do,” Laker said. “But, everybody I talk to says to play as long as you can and get it out of your system. Once you retire, you can’t go back out there.”
Laker is getting it out of his system with the Indians this summer, serving as the backup catcher to Victor Martinez. Laker, who will turn 37 in November, is certain he wants to become a coach or manager when his playing days are over.

The Indians organization is likely to find a spot for him.
“Tim is a student of the game,” Manager Eric Wedge said. “He has a leadership personality. He brings energy to the ballpark. He’s passionate and a hard worker. He has every attribute you look for in a coach or manager.”
Laker, to quote Johnny Cash, has been everywhere, man. He’s played for 10 minor-league teams and five major-league teams. He’s accumulated a few stories to tell during that time, including:
• Hacking at the first pitch he saw in the big leagues in 1992 and coming through with a single to right — off future Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine.
• Pinch-running for Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter following Carter’s final big-league hit later that summer.
• Coming back from Tommy John elbow surgery in 1995.
• Coming back from a pancreas and liver infection in 2002 that put him in the hospital for a month and caused him to lose 50 pounds.
“This is my 19th season,” Laker said. “I’ve been playing since I was 18. It’s a little late to go to school now and find a job. I’m stuck in this game, for better or worse. It’s all I know. You can’t play forever. I love this game, and (coaching) is the only way to stay in it.”
Laker first began considering coaching as a way to stay in baseball following the 1999 season, when he turned 30.
“That was when I started getting pitchers asking for me to catch them,” Laker said. “That’s also about the time people started telling me they thought I’d make a good coach.”
The tradition of catchers becoming coaches and managers is long. Wedge was a catcher for Boston and Colorado, and five of his coaches — Jeff Datz, Luis Isaac, Derek Shelton, Joel Skinner and Danny Williams — were also catchers in the major or minor leagues.
Bad knees, collisions at home plate and being struck by errant pitches tend to shorten the careers of most catchers. Laker’s longevity in the game may have been aided by being used primarily as a backup.
He has accumulated six years of service time and 651 at-bats (.226 career average) in the major leagues since his 1992 debut. His 162 at-bats with the 2003 Indians are the most of any season in his career. Laker has played for Montreal, Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh.
When Laker was on the big-league bench, however, he wasn’t just sitting next to the manager. He was learning.
“My high school coach (Mike Scyphers) taught me how to compete and win,” Laker said. “I was also fortunate to play for Felipe Alou in ‘A’ ball and the big leagues. He has a lot of baseball wisdom, a real feel for the game. Jim Tracy taught me how to be a really positive guy. He taught me the value of patting a guy on the back.”
Laker long ago learned the value of listening — both for his present career and his future one.
“I watch how the game goes and think about what I might or might not do,” Laker said. “I find myself being inquisitive, especially the last four or five years. I’d ask Buddy Bell and Eric Wedge why they made certain moves. You pick up things as you go. And, if you’re interesting in coaching, you need to learn those things.”
n The Indians open a three-game series against Cincinnati tonight at 7:05 at Jacobs Field. Jake Westbrook (6-3, 4.35) will start against Aaron Harang (7-5, 3.92). Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail: [email protected]



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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

6/23/06

Indians aren’t planning to make major changes

Friday, June 23, 2006

Scott Priestle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CLEVELAND — The Indians will not be rebuilding during or after this season. One look at the roster should make that clear.
"Our core is in place," general manager Mark Shapiro said.
Pitchers C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee, center fielder Grady Sizemore, designated hitter Travis Hafner, catcher Victor Martinez and shortstop Jhonny Peralta should anchor the club for the next few years.
Youngsters Fausto Carmona, Jeremy Sowers and Andy Marte could take on big roles by the start of next season.
The key to keeping pace in the increasingly talented American League Central is assembling the right supporting cast, and the Indians’ spotty play through 71 games suggests they have the wrong mix. The bullpen has been shaky, the starting rotation inconsistent and the defense uninspiring.
"It’s up to us to determine what those negatives mean and how to address them," Shapiro said.
He and assistant general manager Chris Antonetti are not likely to rush into judgments. They generally study trends throughout the game, look for historical comparisons and try to forecast ramifications before making a move.
They are reluctant to discuss their intentions, for fear of putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage while pursuing players, but there seem to be a few areas of emphasis as they tweak the roster:

• Find relievers capable of pitching the late innings
Carmona is the latest pitcher to serve as the primary setup man for closer Bob Wickman, and the early returns have been encouraging.
He could be closing games by the end of the season if the Indians choose to trade Wickman, a free-agent-to-be and perhaps their most tradable veteran.
Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge prefer to have at least one experienced late-inning reliever on the staff, and they would like to set roles as quickly as possible. How Carmona, Fernando Cabrera, Edward Mujica and the other youngsters fare over the final 91 games could go a long way toward determining whether the Indians pursue a veteran closer, setup man or middle reliever.

• Improve the infield defense
Peralta, second baseman Ronnie Belliard and third baseman Aaron Boone have committed 28 errors and allowed too many ground balls to get through for base hits, which is particularly troubling considering the number of groundball pitchers on the staff.
"It doesn’t look big, but it is big," infield coach Luis Rivera said.
Rivera has been working with Peralta on anticipating contact and getting a quicker first step, which Indians officials hope will help Peralta overcome a relative lack of speed.
Peralta’s ability at the plate will keep him in the lineup. Ditto for Marte at third base.
Belliard will be a free agent after the season, and there are no obvious replacements ready in the farm system. Whether the Indians trade for a young middle infielder or sign a free agent, expect defense to be a priority.

• Maintain a deep lineup
Despite recent struggles at the plate, the Indians were third in the league in runs at the start of play yesterday, after finishing fourth last season.
If Marte is as good as advertised, he will help. The Indians also should have money available to pursue a proven hitter, just as they pursued Brian Giles and Nomar Garciaparra last winter. If they can add a potent hitter in the outfield, it might make it easier to settle for a defensive option at second base.
[email protected]

 

[JCOSU86]

Time for fucking Wedge to go. This team is devoid of any fucking spirit or will. "Going through the motions" doesn't cover it. Only 1 (one) team in the AL has less wins: KC.

Can you fucking believe THAT?

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

6/25/06

INDIANS 4 REDS 0

Byrd still hopes club can follow his lead

Pitcher says there’s time for turnaround by Tribe

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Scott Priestle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CLEVELAND — The sun shined brightly yesterday, Jacobs Field was crowded and there were zeroes on the scoreboard. It is what Paul Byrd had in mind when he left Los Angeles to sign with the Indians last winter.
It is what he still sees in the Tribe’s future, despite a disappointing 33-40 record.
"We are not satisfied with getting a little bit over .500 and finishing off the season well," Byrd said yesterday after leading the Indians to a 4-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds. "We can still make the playoffs. Anybody who doesn’t feel that way needs to get off the field.
"This team has great players. I’ve played on playoff teams, and I’ve been on teams that lost 100 games. This is not a below-.500 team. We cannot be satisfied with just getting a little better.
"I don’t want to sound like Zig Ziglar, Mr. Positive Thinking, but I’m excited about what this team can still do."
It will take a monumental turnaround. The Indians are currently in fourth place in the American League Central, 16 games behind the Detroit Tigers and 15 1 /2 behind the Chicago White Sox.
The Reds have a much better chance to reach the postseason, but their hopes have taken a hit in recent weeks as they have struggled to get timely hits. The offense has produced only 50 runs in the past 15 games – off its previous pace of 5.3 runs per game – and the Reds have lost 10 of those 15.
Byrd kept them off the board for eight innings, allowing only one runner past first base. Bob Wickman pitched a perfect ninth.
Byrd has a 1.93 ERA in his past four starts, 3.08 in his past 11. After a dismal April, he is giving the Indians what he and they expected when he signed a two-year, $14.25 million contract in December. If nothing else, it will be another reason for optimism heading into the off-season. Not that Byrd is thinking that way with more than three months remaining.
"We have the type of team that’s capable of winning 15 out of 16 or 18 out of 20," he said. "I’m not saying we’re going to do it, but we have a team that’s capable of it."
If it happens, it will be because the pitching and defense settled down after 2 1 /2 months of wild inconsistency. Byrd was a chief offender in April, and it is driving him in June.
"I still hurt from my April. I owe this team a lot," he said. "These guys were scoring a lot of runs and I didn’t come through. I feel like I owe this team, big time."
He shouldered the load yesterday, allowing only five hits without a walk. He threw 81 strikes among his 113 pitches and used every inch of the ballpark.
"That’s what Paul Byrd does," Reds catcher David Ross said. "He tries to frustrate you and get you to swing at his pitches. We hit some balls on the screws, and that stinks. Usually when we hit the ball that hard, with this lineup, we’re going to score some runs. But we didn’t today, and that’s what he does."
The Indians had only slightly more success against Reds starter Bronson Arroyo. Todd Hollandsworth hit a two-run homer and Grady Sizemore homered. Because Byrd was so sharp, it did not matter that his teammates went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position.
[email protected]

Dispatch

6/25/06

INDIANS NOTEBOOK

Rookie Sowers admits to being nervous

He will make debut against Reds, who once drafted him

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Scott Priestle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CLEVELAND — The Indians officially added Jeremy Sowers to the roster yesterday, giving him a day to get comfortable in his new surroundings before he makes his major-league debut today.
He was the typical rookie, with eyes and ears open.
"Hopefully, I won’t do anything dumb and it will work out well," Sowers said.
His track record suggests "dumb" will not be a problem. Sowers, a Vanderbilt alumnus, rose through the Indians’ farm system in less than 1 1 /2 seasons, impressing at each stop with a pitching style described frequently as mature beyond his 23 years.
In 42 minor-league starts, he went 23-5 with a 2.00 ERA — including 9-1 with a 1.37 ERA in 15 starts for triple-A Buffalo this season.
"Any time I asked him to do something, he was capable," said Indians catcher Kelly Shoppach, who caught a number of Sowers’ starts in Buffalo and figures to catch him today. "Usually in triple-A, you pitch to the pitcher’s strengths. He actually allowed us the opportunity to pitch to hitters’ weaknesses."
Sowers said he expects to be "extremely nervous" today. He admittedly was nervous during spring training when he allowed 11 hits and six walks in 6 2 /3 innings.
"There are still a lot of things I have to work on," he said. "Now I’ll work on them here."
Sowers originally was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds, 20 th overall in 2001. He elected to attend Vanderbilt rather than sign. The Indians then drafted him sixth overall in 2004 and gave him a $2.475 million signing bonus. Now he will make his big-league debut against the Reds and likely will face them again next weekend in Cincinnati.
On the shelf

To make room for Sowers on the roster, outfielder Jason Michaels was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained right ankle. The move is retroactive to June 16, so he is eligible to be activated Saturday.
Head trainer Lonnie Soloff said Michaels will begin running the bases and shagging fly balls Monday, with an eye toward returning the day he is eligible. He probably will need a short minor-league rehabilitation stint.
Soloff said Casey Blake is no longer feeling pain in his side and the Indians hope he can be back before the All-Star break July 10-12.
In the books

Joe Inglett made his first career start and manager Eric Wedge indicated it would not be his last. Inglett just missed on a diving attempt in left field, and he grounded out in each of his two at-bats.
"It’s nice to know I’m going to get more than one AB," he said. "Maybe next time I can do something with ’em."
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

6/26/06

Indians remain without savior

Tribe bats produce little to support rookie's debut

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - So this is the guy who is supposed to rescue the Indians from their season of despair.
It says in the media guide that Jeremy Sowers is 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, which appears to be an exaggeration (How about 160 pounds?). On the other hand, unbeknownst to Sowers, while he was laboring at Triple-A Buffalo he was becoming a superhero in Cleveland.
By the time he actually took his first walk to the top of the pitcher's mound on Sunday at Jacobs Field, the crowd of 33,139 probably decided he was at least 10-feet tall.
Or so they hoped.
As it turned out, Sowers' major-league debut was more good than bad, but the Tribe lost yet another game, this time 4-2 to the Cincinnati Reds.
``You never know what to expect in terms of a pitcher's first start,'' Indians manager Eric Wedge said. ``Overall, I thought he did a good job. His composure was fantastic.''
Sowers gave up all the runs in the fourth inning. Usually he exhibits the kind of accuracy throwing a baseball that is demonstrated by a sharpshooter armed with a telescopic sight.
But for one brief inning, Sowers' command of strike zone failed him. He started the fourth inning by walking Brandon Phillips then fell behind 3-and-1 to Ken Griffey Jr., who walloped the next pitch over the center-field wall to make it 2-0.
Rich Aurilia followed by beating out an infield single, and Adam Dunn worked the count to 3-and-0 before whacking a two-run homer to put the Reds ahead 4-0.
``I've allowed tons of home runs before,'' Sowers said. ``The difference today is that I gave up one to a future Hall of Famer (Griffey). Maybe that justifies it a little more -- that I wasn't the first, and I won't be the last.''
Sowers admitted to being nervous.
``There was some nervousness, some butterflies,'' he said. ``But that's just something you have to work through, like I had to do when I made my college debut, my high-school debut and minor-league debut.
``It wasn't too bad. I was here for a couple of days acclimating myself to everything.''
In 97 1/3 innings at Buffalo, Sowers allowed one home run, none in his past 57 1/3 innings (including Sunday), dating to May 8.
As quickly as his control had deserted him, it returned. He retired the final two batters in the fourth inning with ease, gave up a leadoff single in the fifth, but got through the inning with no further trouble, inducing hot-hitting Ryan Freel to bounce into a double play.
Even though Sowers threw only 82 pitches, Wedge elected to remove him after five innings, five hits and a lone hurtful walk.
``If Jeremy hadn't worked so hard in the fourth (37 pitches), I probably would have sent him out for the sixth,'' Wedge said.
Pitching coach Carl Willis didn't think Sowers' one-inning breakdown was caused by the realization that he was facing major-league hitters in front of tens of thousands of onlookers.
``No, it wasn't like all of a sudden Jeremy was in awe, that `I'm in the big leagues,' '' Willis said. ``In the fourth inning, he was just missing. He wasn't missing that badly.
`He kept his composure. Good major-league pitchers have to do that. And that's something inside. It's hard to learn.''
Sowers' debut performance served to divert attention from the Tribe's most serious recent problem: the club's suddenly-futile attack.
``We're definitely not as polished, as we were earlier,'' Wedge said. ``We're missing a couple of guys (Casey Blake, Jason Michaels), but we have to do a better job.''
Eight hits -- only one extra-base hit -- scattered throughout nine innings was not doing a better job Sunday.
Only in the sixth inning did the Indians put together a rally. It consisted of Ronnie Belliard's one-out double, a single by Jhonny Peralta, Travis Hafner's RBI single, a bases-loading walk to Victor Martinez and Todd Hollandsworth's sacrifice fly.
In the past nine games, against the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs and Reds, the Tribe has averaged 3.2 runs and 8.2 hits.
Wedge continues to hammer away at the club's emotional response to losing.
``We are trying to do everything we can, push every button we can push,'' he said. ``But it's up to them. They can't worry about the press, about the scrutiny. This is Major League Baseball. And if you don't like it, you should get out.''
And Wedge's bottom line?
``I know they care,'' he said. ``I know they're working hard. But the intestinal fortitude, the mental toughness is lacking.''
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ABJ

6/26/06

Indians report

Peralta rebounds with Belliard's help

Shortstop batting .459 in his past 10 games after having trouble at plate earlier this season

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - Two weeks ago, Jhonny Peralta was a symbol of the Indians' unexpected swoon.
After a breakout season in 2005, he was having problems at the plate and, at times, seemed disconnected from the game when he went to his position at shortstop.
But in his past 10 games, Peralta is batting .459 with seven doubles, two home runs, five RBI and 12 runs.
Peralta's resurgence coincided with a revival of Ronnie Belliard, who had not been providing the team with the same spark as he had for two years running.
Belliard has given aid and comfort to Peralta during his developmental years in the big leagues.
``He will say to me, `You can do it. Don't think about yesterday, just about tomorrow,' '' Peralta said.
Belliard thinks Peralta's aggressive approach at the plate will serve him well over the long haul.
``He's going to swing hard,'' Belliard said. ``He's not going to strike out looking. Jhonny's been here for a year and a half, and he knows what he's doing.''
Manager Eric Wedge is all for players taking care of one another.
``I think they fed off each other last year,'' he said of Belliard and Peralta. ``And that's what seemed to be happening the last couple of weeks.''
Peralta thinks he knows what put him into a slump the first two months of the season.
``Last year, I saw more pitches down the middle,'' he said. ``I also would see a lot of first-pitch fastballs. This year, I'm getting breaking pitches or something besides fastballs on the first pitch.''
Wedge said that Peralta has begun to make adjustments after opposing pitchers had caught up with him.
``He's getting back to seeing the ball better, and he's more consistent with his swing,'' Wedge said. ``You don't put yourself into position to get good pitches when you're not seeing the ball well.''
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ABJ

6/26/06

Debut of rookie welcomed

By Tom Reed

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - Jeremy Sowers' first big-league start wasn't a Cleveland sports debut crackling with the anticipation of greatness.
It didn't feature a physically gifted athlete such as LeBron James or C.C. Sabathia looking to extend his dominance to the highest level.
This was more like the Browns handing the ball to Charlie Frye last fall -- a season already lost, a start made newsworthy as much by circumstance as relevance.
Sowers' credible performance in a 4-2 setback to the Cincinnati Reds leaves us wanting to see more, if for no other reason, there's really not much else to see.
Let the Ohio-born prospect pitch out the rest of this lost season in Cleveland and try to earn a spot in next year's rotation.
His first effort was neither satisfying nor particularly discouraging. He yielded five hits over five innings and allowed two two-run, fourth-inning homers to Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn.
A pitcher could do a lot worse than having his first home run come off the bat of a future Hall of Famer.
``I guess I have that if nothing else for the rest of my life,'' Sowers said.
Sowers, a cerebral left-hander, has more than that going for him. His most immediate attribute in the eyes of Tribe fans is that he's not Jason Johnson, who somehow wore out his welcome quicker than Frye's predecessors, Jeff Garcia and Trent Dilfer.
Sowers posted terrific minor-league numbers (9-1, 1.39 ERA in 15 starts at Triple-A Buffalo) but his Jacobs Field arrival was hastened by Johnson's dreadful 2 ½ months in a Tribe uniform. His off-season signing was one of several questionable moves by a management team hamstrung by thrifty ownership.
With the Tribe (33-41) out of contention before the All-Star break, it makes sense to give Sowers an extended audition. It also gives fans a reason to maintain interest.
Sowers is intriguing, his career 23-5 minor-league record alluring.
He was a 2004 first-round draft pick who demonstrates ample maturity and composure for a 23-year-old. He can throw all of his pitches for strikes. He has excellent location.
Sowers breezed through the first three innings Sunday, surrendering only one hit.
His shortcomings, however, contributed to his fourth-inning undoing. Sowers, much like Frye, isn't blessed with a strong arm. His fastball probably could get off with a warning from most state patrolmen. He was often clocked in the range between 86-89 mph.
Sowers also isn't big. Actually, there are H&R Block tax consultants with more imposing physiques than Sowers, who the Indians ambitiously list at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds.
Translation: Sowers can't afford to fall behind many hitters at this level without being punished. He walked Brandon Phillips to open the fourth before getting behind Griffey.
Griffey deposited a 3-1 pitch over the center-field wall for his 549th career homer. Dunn followed an infield hit by lining a 3-0 pitch into the stands for his 24th home run of the season to make it 4-0.
It was Sowers' first home-runs allowed in the last 57-plus innings.
``They weren't terrible pitches, but when a guy can sit dead red and knows what's coming it's a lot easier,'' said Sowers, who threw 82 pitches. ``Those guys have been-there done-that more than the average person.''
Manager Eric Wedge praised Sowers' outing while questioning his club's mental toughness. Sowers exhibited grit by rebounding to face just three batters in the fifth inning.
The Tribe's slumping offense could not prevent Sowers from absorbing the loss. Argentina has more World Cup goals (10) in their past four games than the Indians have runs (eight) in the same span.
They have scored more than four runs only once in their past nine games.
Wedge sent a terse message to players who might be hurting from recent criticism: ``It's Major League Baseball, it comes with the territory. If you don't like it, you should get out.''
Such is the frustrated environment that Sowers finds himself. He called Sunday an ``overwhelming experience'' but didn't perform like it with many family and friends in attendance.
If Sowers spots his pitches, he can be effective in the majors without the ferocious fastball. He should be given every opportunity.
Sowers can't help deliver a division title the way Sabathia did in his rookie season, but maybe he enables fans to forget the mistake that was Jason Johnson.
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ABJ

6/26/06

Mota strives to be key

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - part of bullpen again
Guillermo Mota has become a reclamation project for the Indians. In this respect, he made only his third appearance out of the bullpen since June 4 on Sunday, working a hitless inning and allowing one walk while striking out two.
``It's hard when you don't get to pitch,'' he said. ``But when you have a chance, you have to be ready. My last three outings have been good, and, so maybe I can be one of the big guys in the bullpen like I was early in the season.''
KEVIN WHO? -- In addition to winning the American League ERA title last year, Kevin Millwood was the unluckiest pitcher in the league, a guy who rarely had enough runs to work with.
Paul Byrd replaced Millwood in the Tribe's rotation this season, and this is the result: After 15 starts, Byrd is 6-5 with a 4.37 ERA. In 2005, Millwood was 3-7 with a 3.58 ERA after 15 starts.
OTHER STUFF -- The Indians have lost their past seven series, and are 3-9 in the past 12 games and 4-8 in interleague play.... Travis Hafner has an eight-game hitting streak (.355).
FARM FACTS -- Jason Davis got his first save for Triple-A Buffalo, working one hitless inning and striking out one in the Bisons' 3-1 win over Scranton-Wilkes Barre.... John Drennen doubled and singled in Lake County's 9-3 win over Delmarva in the first game of a doubleheader. In the second game, Drennen homered and singled, and Chris Gimenez singled and doubled a 9-2 loss in Class A.

 

[NFBuck]

This is getting downright painfull to watch.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

6/27/06

Indians find life against Cardinals

Lee pitches well, offense backs him up with four home runs

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->ST. LOUIS - Let's see which team has dug itself the deeper hole? Is it the Indians? Is it the St. Louis Cardinals?
Over the long haul, the Tribe has a big edge over the Cardinals, who remain in first place in the National League Central despite losing their seventh consecutive game Monday night at Busch Stadium 10-3.
On the other hand, the Indians have nowhere to go but up, having recently noticed that even the downtrodden Kansas City Royals aren't that far behind them anymore.
That's what happens when a team loses 15 out of 23 games in June. But you can only play one game at a time. Every journey starts with a step. You have to crawl before you can walk. The usual cliches apply.
At least the Indians won. Not only that, but victory was achieved not by accident.
In chronological order, Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner, Todd Hollandsworth and Hafner (again) swatted home runs. Cliff Lee pitched six strong innings, despite putting himself in some jeopardy.
Lee allowed eight hits but only two runs. That's because he walked only two, and the Cardinals were unable to produce an extra-base hit or a timely single against Lee.
The Indians began their offensive attack against Jason Marquis in the third inning, when Franklin Gutierrez led off with a single and Sizemore whacked his 15th home run of the season.
St. Louis answered in the third, as So Taguchi singled with one out, Albert Pujols walked and Scott Rolen singled to drive in his team's first run. The rally got no further, as Lee retired Juan Encarnacion and Hector Luna.
In the fourth, the Cards tied the score on Aaron Miles' one-out single, David Eckstein's two-out single and an RBI single by Taguchi.
From that point, Lee (7-5, 4.61 ERA) limited St. Louis to one baserunner, retiring seven of the last eight batters he faced.
Marquis ran into serious trouble in the fifth. Gutierrez led off with a double and moved to third when Lee grounded out. Marquis struck out Sizemore then hit Ronnie Belliard with a pitch to put runners on first and third. Jhonny Peralta drove a two-out, two-run triple to right and Hafner followed with a two-run homer to make it 6-2.
The Indians padded their lead in the sixth, when Hollandsworth led off with a homer. Marquis left after retiring the side, having given up seven runs and nine hits.
The Cardinals bullpen proved vulnerable in the seventh. Josh Hancock walked Sizemore and Belliard to lead off the inning. Peralta flied out, but Hafner also walked to load the bases.
Victor Martinez followed with a line-drive single off the third baseman's glove to bring in one run. Hollandsworth's sacrifice fly off Tyler Johnson scored the Tribe's ninth run.
Hafner went to work again in the ninth, hitting his 21st home run of the year and lifting his RBI total to 62. He leads the team in both categories.
Fausto Carmona relieved Lee and yielded one run and four hits in two innings.
He gave up all the hits in the eighth, starting with an infield hit by Taguchi, who was erased on a double play. But the Cards begin to rally again, as Lee gave up a double to Rolen and a bloop single to Encarnacion that scored a run.
Luna continued the rally with a single, but Yadier Molina flied out to end the inning

ABJ

6/27/06

Spring home search thickens

Osceola County appears to lead race to be Indians training site

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->ST. LOUIS - The Indians' continuing quest to land a new spring training complex has taken a turn for the better.
After months of dormancy, two Florida venues, Winter Haven in Polk County, and Osceola County, which plays host to the Braves, have made proposals to the Tribe.
Triggering the newest round of interest was a bill signed last week by Gov. Jeb Bush, allowing six cities to apply for five grants of $15 million each to upgrade or replace spring training facilities. Each of the six cities -- Winter Haven, Fort. Lauderdale, Sarasota, Bradenton, St. Petersburg, St. Lucie -- already have major-league tenants.
The Indians have trained in Winter Haven since 1993 but would prefer to move to more of a destination city.
Some Winter Haven officials wouldn't mind seeing the Tribe go so the city could develop Chain O' Lakes Park.
Tribe officials have been talking about a move to Osceola County, where the team would share Cracker Jack Stadium -- part of the Disney Sports Complex -- with the Braves. Disney has proposed building a new training complex for the Indians.
``We're waiting to hear from Osceola County,'' said Dennis Lehman, the Tribe's executive vice president for business. ``It would take a lot more money than the state is offering for Winter Haven to move forward, but we gave them our program.''
Winter Haven officials have proposed moving the Indians to a site on the eastern edge of the city, adjoining U.S. 27, and building a stadium and training complex.
The estimated cost of such an undertaking is upwards of $30 million, at least twice what the state is offering. However, Polk County officials approved $8 million in tourist development money for the project.
``Osceola County's proposal probably is the more realistic one, because the stadium is there already,'' Lehman said.
Although Osceola County is not on the list of six cities eligible to apply for state funds, Lehman said, ``It's my understanding that they can get state money.''
Arizona is not out of the picture, either.
``We've talked to people in Arizona a number of times,'' Lehman said. ``If we can't get an agreement (in Florida) we will talk seriously about Arizona (Phoenix).''
In the meantime, the Tribe will be back in Winter Haven for spring training in 2007.
First All-Star
Manager Eric Wedge will represent the Indians in the All-Star Game.
Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, who will manage the American League squad, named Wedge on Monday to his staff that also will include John Gibbons of the Toronto Blue Jays. The rest of the staff will be made up of White Sox coaches Harold Baines, Don Cooper, Joey Cora, Tim Raines, Greg Walker and former Akron resident Art Kusnyer.
``I'm honored that Ozzie thought of me,'' Wedge said. ``Obviously, it will be exciting to be a small part of that game.''
Guillen asked Wedge to be on his staff early in April, when the Tribe played the White Sox in Chicago.
We'll see
How many games will Travis Hafner play at first base this week as the Tribe travels to two National League cities, St. Louis and Cincinnati?
``We'll take it day by day,'' Wedge said. ``Hopefully, it will be at least a couple here.''
Hafner might be limited by chronic elbow soreness that flares up periodically.
``I don't think there have been any ill effects this year,'' Wedge said.
We'll see, part II
When will Jeremy Sowers start again?
His turn comes up Friday or Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds. But Wedge might hold him out until the next series against the New York Yankees.
``We can maneuver with that,'' Wedge said. ``I don't know if we want him to face the same team again, but then he would have to start against New York.''
Farm facts
Brian Barton homered and doubled in Kinston's 4-2 loss to Salem.... Thomas Cowley worked seven scoreless innings, giving up two hits as Lake County beat Delmarva 5-1.... Andrew Lytle had three hits and an RBI as Mahoning Valley beat Williamsport 8-4.
<!-- end body-content --><!-- begin body-end --><HR class=tagline color=#cccccc SIZE=1>Sheldon Ocker can be reached at [email protected]

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[Bob Saccamano]

Also:

6/27

Dispatch

<META content="The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, Ohio's Daily Newspaper" name=description> <META content="The Columbus Dispatch" name=publication><META content="Lee, Tribe extend Cardinals’ misery" name=title><META content="Tuesday, June 27, 2006" name=dateofpublication><META content=Sports name=category><META content=Indians name=section><META content="ST. LOUIS — The Cleveland Indians’ hottest pitcher helped them finally get off on the right foot. Cliff Lee worked six strong innings to win his fourth game this month and keep his perfect interleague record intact, and Travis Hafner homered" name=storylead>
Lee, Tribe extend Cardinals’ misery
Hafner hits two homers; St. Louis loses seventh in row
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
R . B . Fallstrom
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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</IMG> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


ST. LOUIS — The Cleveland Indians’ hottest pitcher helped them finally get off on the right foot.
Cliff Lee worked six strong innings to win his fourth game this month and keep his perfect interleague record intact, and Travis Hafner homered twice in a 10-3 victory over the sagging St. Louis Cardinals last night.
The win snapped a string of 10 straight losses in series openers dating to May 23.
"I didn’t even realize that, to be honest with you," Lee said. "I just wanted to go out there and pitch my game and go with the scouting report we had on the guys."
Jhonny Peralta hit a tiebreaking two-run triple in the fifth for the Indians, who also got homers from Grady Sizemore and Todd Hollandsworth and won for only the fourth time in 13 games. The Indians are 1-8-1 in their last 10 series, losing the last seven.
"This is a good start for us and that’s the way we’ve got to look at it," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "This will get the monkey off their back."
The Cardinals have lost seven in a row for the first time since 2002. Manager Tony La Russa prefaced his postgame news conference with these words: "Go on, punish me. Let’s go."
"We’re not having fun," La Russa said. "Most of the games aren’t close. It’s a real struggle, but they’re in the book."
Jason Marquis (9-6) was battered for the second straight start, allowing seven runs in six innings. He gave up three of the homers and has allowed seven in his last two outings to tie for the major league lead with 19.
In the last two games, he has allowed 20 earned runs in 11 innings.
"I felt great, I had a lot of life on my ball," Marquis said. "A couple of times, bad pitch selection, and a couple of times bad pitch location."
Lee (7-5) gave up two runs and eight hits with five strikeouts and two walks and is 6-0 with a 3.27 ERA against the NL, including a victory over the Chicago Cubs in his last start. He’s 4-0 with a 3.09 ERA in five June starts, one of the lone bright spots for a team that’s only 8-15 this month.
"About the last month or so he’s been the Cliff we expect to see out there," Wedge said of Lee, an 18-game winner last year. "That’s what we want to keep seeing." Victor Martinez added two hits and an RBI.

 

[scarletandgrey]

I love the Tribe guys I really do. But I'm starting to be very discouraged in their performance EVERY YEAR!!!! I haven't watched a complete game in about a month now. Someone just let me know when it's safe to look again.

 

[Bob Saccamano]

Looks like you can start watching again. Beating St Louis, while ending our '11 losses in first game of series' streak felt great. This is what should happen when both our pitching and hitting is consistent. Pronk unleashed yesterday, and Lee pitched great.

Hopefully we can sweep this series and get on a roll. Just need consistent bullpen pitching.

 

[Bucks21]

I love the Tribe guys I really do. But I'm starting to be very discouraged in their performance EVERY YEAR!!!! I haven't watched a complete game in about a month now. Someone just let me know when it's safe to look again.

I don't think its going to be safe to look again till next year or at least towards the end of August when they start bringing up some of the younger guys and give them some big league at bats.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

6/28/06

Pitching not all Sabathia can do

Starter solid, gets another hit as Indians win second in row

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->ST. LOUIS - An hour and a half before Tuesday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Indians starter C.C. Sabathia, wearing a batting glove, was pacing the visitors' dugout at Busch Stadium, checking out bats in anticipation of getting his practice swings.
The longer Sabathia stays on the mound, the more at-bats he receives when the Indians play at a National League ballpark. And he loves to hit.
With that in mind, it should be no surprise that Sabathia had one of his better outings of the season, as the Tribe earned a 3-1 win.
This is the first time Cleveland has won consecutive games since May 31 and June 1 against the Chicago White Sox.
Tuesday night's victory also ensured the Indians' first series win since that May-June set against Chicago.
It also was a milestone game for the Cardinals, who have lost eight in a row for the first time since 1988.
Sabathia (6-4, 3.86 ERA) worked eight strong innings, giving up five hits and walking none. He did all this within the framework of throwing 104 pitches, an efficient night, indeed.
The only St. Louis run came in the third, when Hector Luna led off with a double and scored on David Eckstein's two-out single. Eckstein had three hits off Sabathia.
At the plate, Sabathia was 1-for-4, giving him a 2006 average of .286 (2-for-7) and .281 (9-for-32) for his career.
He also waved off both corner infielders to catch a high pop fly that ended the seventh inning.
Putting runners on base was no problem for the Tribe. Bringing them around to score was a different matter.
St. Louis starter Anthony Reyes gave up only four hits, but his four walks pushed his pitch count to 93 by the end of the fifth inning, forcing manager Tony La Russa to go to his bullpen early.
The Indians started the game with a bang, Grady Sizemore leading off the first inning with a walk and Ronnie Belliard following with his fifth home run of the season.
But the Tribe did little in the way of follow-up against Reyes.
Sizemore began the third inning with a double and reached third on a one-out fly ball to center by Jhonny Peralta, but that was as far as he got.
In the sixth, Sabathia led off with a line-drive single and was forced at second by Sizemore. Reyes walked Belliard and one-out later, he walked Travis Hafner to load the bases. But again, the Tribe failed to produce a run, as Victor Martinez popped out.
During Reyes' five-inning stay, the Indians stranded six and were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. For the game, the Tribe was 1-for-9 with runners at second or third.
Adam Wainright took over for Reyes, and nothing much changed, though the Tribe finally broke through for a run in the seventh.
Peralta started the rally with a two-out single, and Hafner walked. With the count 3-and-2, Martinez singled to right-center, scoring Peralta, but Todd Hollandsworth was called out on strikes on a checked swing with a full count.
Bob Wickman retired the side in the ninth for his 11th save of the season and his first since May 30.
However, something had to happen to make it interesting. After Wickman retired the first two batters, Juan Encarnacion slapped a ground ball not far to Peralta's left at short.
Instead of moving his feet, Peralta reached for the ball and muffed it. The official scorer called it a hit, but it looked suspiciously like an error. In the end, it didn't matter, because the next batter, Jim Edmonds, grounded out to end the game.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

6/28/06

Indians players missing the vote

Hafner, in fourth at first base, tops All-Star ballots for Tribe

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->ST. LOUIS - The Indians have not generated much excitement with All-Star Game voters.
The Tribe's highest vote getter is Travis Hafner, fourth among American League first basemen. Hafner has the credentials to make the AL roster, with 21 home runs, 61 RBI and a .313 batting average going into Tuesday night's game.
It's doubtful the Indians will have more than one participant (every team must have at least one).
Grady Sizemore has the appropriate numbers (.300 BA, 15 HR, 38 RBI, 12 stolen bases), but he ranks 14th in votes among outfielders. Victor Martinez has amassed a quality set of statistics (.294 BA, 10 HR, 48 RBI), but like Sizemore, he might be only a long shot.
``A lot of guys are having real good years who are first basemen and DHs,'' Hafner said. ``And there always are guys left out who deserve to go.''
David Ortiz leads AL first basemen in the fan vote, Jason Giambi is second and Paul Konerko third, all worthy of being selected.
The fans will elect the eight position players who start the game.
Players voted Saturday for 16 more slots on the roster: eight position players, five starting pitchers, three relievers.
Ozzie Guillen, who will manage the AL team, will choose five players, and an Internet vote by fans will be used to choose the final player on the roster among three nominees.
``It's nice to think that fans across the country are voting for you,'' Hafner said.
``My first couple of years, nobody really knew who I was.''
With much of the voting done online, Hafner was asked what might happen if everyone in his home state of North Dakota cast a ballot for him.
``We don't have computers in North Dakota yet,'' he deadpanned.
Hafner has nothing planned for the All-Star break, so if he's picked to play in the game, he won't have to cancel any plans.
``My schedule is open,'' he said, smiling. ``If I don't go, I'll just be sitting around the house resting up.''
Getting closer
Head trainer Lonnie Soloff reported that Jason Michaels (sprained ankle) began throwing and taking fly balls Monday and was to continue getting back into baseball condition today at Mahoning Valley.
``If everything goes as planned, he could go on a rehab assignment Thursday,'' Soloff said.
The plan is to activate Michaels on Saturday.
Casey Blake (strained oblique) is almost ready to resume honing his skills on the field.
``We're hoping that Casey can join us in Cincinnati on Friday and start his baseball activity,'' manager Eric Wedge said.
Blake is tentatively scheduled to come off the disabled list on July 6.
Rotating rotation
Rookie Jeremy Sowers' second big-league start will be postponed until Monday in Cleveland, when the opponent is the New York Yankees.
Because there is no game on Thursday, Wedge had the option of using Sowers against the Cincinnati Reds or Yankees.
``This will keep Jeremy from facing the Reds twice (in a brief span), and it will keep him from having to go up and hit, which involves a different set of duties,'' Wedge said. ``Also, this keeps everybody on their regular day.''
No ill effects
So far, so good for Travis Hafner's chronically sore throwing elbow.
Hafner usually has nothing to worry about, because as a DH, he doesn't have to throw. But in National League parks, Wedge tries to use him at first base.
``I've limited my throwing this year, and that seems like it's helped,'' he said. ``When we got near interleague play, I started to throw more, and it still feels OK.
``So as long as I don't do anything crazy, like throw a few bullpens, I'll be fine. But no working on that knuckle-curve on the side.''
Hafner was kidding, of course.
Farm facts
Ryan Garko hit his 11th home run of the year and singled, driving in three runs as Buffalo beat Syracuse 10-4.... Andrew Lytle had four singles and one RBI as Mahoning Valley defeated State College 7-1.... Ramon Alvarado hit three home runs and had four RBI in Burlington's 15-1 win over Bristol.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at [email protected]
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[Bob Saccamano]

Dispatch

Back-to-back wins rare treat for Indians
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
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ST. LOUIS (AP) — Unlike his last start, there was no quit in C.C. Sabathia.
Eight dominant innings from the left-hander, who was battered in his last outing, helped the Cleveland Indians win consecutive games for the first time since the beginning of June and send the St. Louis Cardinals to their eighth straight loss with a 3-1 victory last night.
"I felt like a kid throwing a baseball," Sabathia said. "I was having fun. Just to get back out there and be pitching, it felt awesome."
Ronnie Belliard hit a two-run homer in the first for the Indians, who clinched their first series win since taking three of four from the Chicago White Sox from May 29-June 1. On Monday, they snapped a 10- game losing streak in series openers. Today, they’ll go for a sweep of the Cardinals, whose last eight-game slide was July 4-16, 1988.
The Indians last won consecutive games on May 31-June 1. They’re 10-3 all-time against the Cardinals.
"The pitching is starting to settle in and we’re starting to swing the bats a little bit," manager Eric Wedge said.
Sabathia (6-4) allowed nine runs in 2 1 /3 innings against the Cubs in his last start, the run total equaling his career worst, and had been 0-3 with a 10.24 ERA in four starts this month. He muffled the Cardinals, allowing one run and five hits with four strikeouts and no walks.
David Eckstein had three hits and an RBI for the Cardinals, who have been outscored 67-28 during the slump, although they still lead the NL Central by 1 1 /2 games. They’re 0-6 since getting Albert Pujols back from a side injury. "It’s the same group of guys that lost one of the best players in the game for two weeks and played like heroes," manager Tony La Russa said. "Now, we’re in a lull and can’t make anything good happen."

Man, can't remember the last time we won 2 in a row. Maybe Wedge was right when he said, 'when we get it going, it will be big.' JW needs to pitch a gem against Carpenter, always tough against him.