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ABJ
Lee in early lead for 5th spot Laffey, Sowers struggle in short stints against Reds. Battle far from over
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008
SARASOTA, FLA.: The three-headed monster that is the Indians' No. 5 starter was on display Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds.
It was Cliff Lee starting with Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers following, neither of the latter two very successfully. All three are competing for the final spot in the rotation, and if the decision rested on Tuesday's outing, Lee would be the winner by acclimation.
But this is not an election. Each pitcher has several more appearances to help or hurt his cause. In addition, manager Eric Wedge will not base his decision on spring training performances alone.
''It will not be based on results,'' Wedge said. ''It's what we are seeing.''
Moreover, track records will count, which is a plus for Lee, who was a solid winner before falling on his sword last year.
On the other hand, as Lee said, ''It doesn't really matter what you did in the past. . . . I don't have a spot because of that.''
He had little trouble vanquishing hitters Tuesday.
Cont...
Lee in early lead for 5th spot Laffey, Sowers struggle in short stints against Reds. Battle far from over
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008
SARASOTA, FLA.: The three-headed monster that is the Indians' No. 5 starter was on display Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds.
It was Cliff Lee starting with Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers following, neither of the latter two very successfully. All three are competing for the final spot in the rotation, and if the decision rested on Tuesday's outing, Lee would be the winner by acclimation.
But this is not an election. Each pitcher has several more appearances to help or hurt his cause. In addition, manager Eric Wedge will not base his decision on spring training performances alone.
''It will not be based on results,'' Wedge said. ''It's what we are seeing.''
Moreover, track records will count, which is a plus for Lee, who was a solid winner before falling on his sword last year.
On the other hand, as Lee said, ''It doesn't really matter what you did in the past. . . . I don't have a spot because of that.''
He had little trouble vanquishing hitters Tuesday.
Cont...
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CPD
INDIANS INSIDER
Cleveland Indians' Andy Marte gets his first hit of spring training
Wednesday, March 05, 2008Bud Shaw
Plain Dealer Reporter
Sarasota, Fla.- Andy Marte got his first hit of spring training, not that anyone - except him - was counting.
The Indians can tell him to relax. Manager Eric Wedge can talk about giving him space. But hits beat the alternative any time of year. And for Marte, validation, big or small, is welcome.
"I thought I hit the ball pretty well [Monday], and now I finally got my first hit," he said. "When I'm driving the ball in the middle of the field like that, that's when I know I'm swinging well."
Wedge said: "I just want him to see the ball and have good takes up there. He's really worked hard in batting practice. If he puts up good at-bats, he's going to naturally drive the ball."
Marte doubled to left-center in the second inning, bringing home Asdrubal Cabrera and Kelly Shoppach for a brief 2-0 lead. The Reds won, 7-4, in a rain-shortened game.
Marte also got the start at first base against Cincinnati. The idea is to play him at third, first and also in the outfield.
Cont...
INDIANS INSIDER
Cleveland Indians' Andy Marte gets his first hit of spring training
Wednesday, March 05, 2008Bud Shaw
Plain Dealer Reporter
Sarasota, Fla.- Andy Marte got his first hit of spring training, not that anyone - except him - was counting.
The Indians can tell him to relax. Manager Eric Wedge can talk about giving him space. But hits beat the alternative any time of year. And for Marte, validation, big or small, is welcome.
"I thought I hit the ball pretty well [Monday], and now I finally got my first hit," he said. "When I'm driving the ball in the middle of the field like that, that's when I know I'm swinging well."
Marte doubled to left-center in the second inning, bringing home Asdrubal Cabrera and Kelly Shoppach for a brief 2-0 lead. The Reds won, 7-4, in a rain-shortened game.
Marte also got the start at first base against Cincinnati. The idea is to play him at third, first and also in the outfield.
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CPD
INDIANS SPRING TRAINING
Cleveland Indians pitcher Cliff Lee tries to secure spot in rotation
Wednesday, March 05, 2008Bud Shaw
Plain Dealer Reporter
Sarasota, Fla.- Cliff Lee calls last year a "humbling experience." Baseball is an especially greedy game in that regard.
Lee isn't getting off the mat easily in a spring where a job in the rotation is not guaranteed and where, in addition to his competition with Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers, he has battled a sinus infection.
"I was pitching [Tuesday] regardless," Lee said of an illness that postponed his spring debut and forced him to return to the doctor for a second batch of antibiotics.
He threw a scoreless inning against the Reds in a rain-shortened game Tuesday. Cincinnati won, 7-4, in part because Laffey pitched as if he'd been bed-ridden and Sowers was victimized by some pesky hitting and his own throwing error.
Lee retired leadoff hitter Ryan Freel on a sinking liner to first, allowed a single to center and then retired Ken Griffey Jr. on a double-play grounder. That was as good as it got in the race for the No. 5 spot.
"I felt like I at least threw the ball remotely close to where I wanted to," said Lee. "The timing of [the illness] wasn't great, but I had no control over it. It was only four or five days [though], and it's still early."
A sinus infection is a minor inconvenience after last spring when an abdominal strain cost Lee his entire spring training. Manager Eric Wedge said Lee "never caught up." His 5-8 record and 6.29 earned-run average is proof of it.
Cont...
INDIANS SPRING TRAINING
Cleveland Indians pitcher Cliff Lee tries to secure spot in rotation
Wednesday, March 05, 2008Bud Shaw
Plain Dealer Reporter
Sarasota, Fla.- Cliff Lee calls last year a "humbling experience." Baseball is an especially greedy game in that regard.
Lee isn't getting off the mat easily in a spring where a job in the rotation is not guaranteed and where, in addition to his competition with Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers, he has battled a sinus infection.
"I was pitching [Tuesday] regardless," Lee said of an illness that postponed his spring debut and forced him to return to the doctor for a second batch of antibiotics.
Lee retired leadoff hitter Ryan Freel on a sinking liner to first, allowed a single to center and then retired Ken Griffey Jr. on a double-play grounder. That was as good as it got in the race for the No. 5 spot.
"I felt like I at least threw the ball remotely close to where I wanted to," said Lee. "The timing of [the illness] wasn't great, but I had no control over it. It was only four or five days [though], and it's still early."
A sinus infection is a minor inconvenience after last spring when an abdominal strain cost Lee his entire spring training. Manager Eric Wedge said Lee "never caught up." His 5-8 record and 6.29 earned-run average is proof of it.
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Canton
Indians notebook
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
BY Andy Call
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER
REDS 7, INDIANS 4 Andy Marte belted a two-run double and Franklin Gutierrez hit his first home run of the spring, but the Indians (2-3-1) fell to Cincinnati at Sarasota. Second baseman Aaron Herr had the other RBI hit for Cleveland. The game was called entering the bottom of the fifth inning due to rain.
TODAY The Indians host Atlanta this afternoon at 1:05. Paul Byrd is scheduled to start against Jair Jurrjens. Those scheduled to follow Byrd include Joe Borowski, Rafael Betancourt and Aaron Fultz.
CABRERA AT SHORT Second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera started at shortstop against the Reds. Wedge said Cabrera will often start there when Jhonny Peralta has a day off. "I haven't seen him much at shortstop, but it's fair to say he's pretty good at both," Wedge said.
OUT OF LEFT FIELD Wedge said utility infielders Andy Marte, Jamey Carroll and Andy Gonzalez will all take fly balls in left field as part of their daily routine.
REUNITED All three players obtained by Cleveland in the Bartolo Colon trade were on the field at the same time during the first inning Tuesday. Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips was on deck with Cliff Lee pitching and Grady Sizemore in center field when the inning ended.
Cont...
Indians notebook
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
BY Andy Call
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER
REDS 7, INDIANS 4 Andy Marte belted a two-run double and Franklin Gutierrez hit his first home run of the spring, but the Indians (2-3-1) fell to Cincinnati at Sarasota. Second baseman Aaron Herr had the other RBI hit for Cleveland. The game was called entering the bottom of the fifth inning due to rain.
TODAY The Indians host Atlanta this afternoon at 1:05. Paul Byrd is scheduled to start against Jair Jurrjens. Those scheduled to follow Byrd include Joe Borowski, Rafael Betancourt and Aaron Fultz.
CABRERA AT SHORT Second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera started at shortstop against the Reds. Wedge said Cabrera will often start there when Jhonny Peralta has a day off. "I haven't seen him much at shortstop, but it's fair to say he's pretty good at both," Wedge said.
OUT OF LEFT FIELD Wedge said utility infielders Andy Marte, Jamey Carroll and Andy Gonzalez will all take fly balls in left field as part of their daily routine.
REUNITED All three players obtained by Cleveland in the Bartolo Colon trade were on the field at the same time during the first inning Tuesday. Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips was on deck with Cliff Lee pitching and Grady Sizemore in center field when the inning ended.
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Canton
Three pitchers in battle for Indians No. 5 starter spot
[FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Lee, Laffey and Sowers in the running[/FONT]
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
By Andy Call
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER
SARASOTA, Fla. The three-way competition for the open spot in Cleveland's starting pitching rotation began in earnest Tuesday.
Cliff Lee, Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers all took the mound during Cleveland's 7-4 rain-shortened loss to Cincinnati at Ed Smith Stadium. All three are expected to battle for the No. 5 starter's role this spring.
"It's not just about results, it's about what we're seeing," Manager Eric Wedge said. "And we're seeing good things from all three."
Wedge might not have seen really good things from all three Tuesday, at least in terms of results.
Lee made his first start of the spring, working a scoreless first inning. He had not yet pitched due to a sinus infection.
"I was going to pitch today, regardless," Lee said. "I felt worse yesterday than I have all week. They changed my medication, so I hope that helps. I threw the ball remotely close to where I wanted it to go today, so I'll take it. My main problem right now is breathing."
First baseman Andy Marte made a nice stab of Ryan Freel's line drive. Jeff Keppinger's multi-hop single up the middle was followed by an inning-ending double-play ground ball off the bat of Ken Griffey Jr.
Cont...
Three pitchers in battle for Indians No. 5 starter spot
[FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Lee, Laffey and Sowers in the running[/FONT]
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
By Andy Call
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER
SARASOTA, Fla. The three-way competition for the open spot in Cleveland's starting pitching rotation began in earnest Tuesday.
Cliff Lee, Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers all took the mound during Cleveland's 7-4 rain-shortened loss to Cincinnati at Ed Smith Stadium. All three are expected to battle for the No. 5 starter's role this spring.
"It's not just about results, it's about what we're seeing," Manager Eric Wedge said. "And we're seeing good things from all three."
Wedge might not have seen really good things from all three Tuesday, at least in terms of results.
Lee made his first start of the spring, working a scoreless first inning. He had not yet pitched due to a sinus infection.
"I was going to pitch today, regardless," Lee said. "I felt worse yesterday than I have all week. They changed my medication, so I hope that helps. I threw the ball remotely close to where I wanted it to go today, so I'll take it. My main problem right now is breathing."
First baseman Andy Marte made a nice stab of Ryan Freel's line drive. Jeff Keppinger's multi-hop single up the middle was followed by an inning-ending double-play ground ball off the bat of Ken Griffey Jr.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Dispatch
Word from Indians camp
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 6:55 AM
By Scott Priestle
HOME FIELD: CHAIN OF LAKES PARK, WINTER HAVEN, FLA.
WEB SITE: The Official Site of The Cleveland Indians: Homepage
? Yesterday's game: Lost to the Reds 7-4 in five innings in a game shortened by rain. Aaron Laffey allowed three walks and five runs in two-thirds of an inning. Jeremy Sowers allowed four hits and two runs in an inning, but none of the balls was hit hard. Cliff Lee pitched one quick, scoreless inning.
Continued......
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ABJ
Westbrook working to get back in rhythm After an injury-spoiled 2007 season, he is relying on old, familiar routines
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Mar 06, 2008
WINTER HAVEN, FLA.: Jake Westbrook's numbers weren't pretty last year, but none of the Indians' deep-thinkers raised a worried eyebrow.
After winning 44 games the previous three seasons, Westbrook logged a 6-9 record and 4.32 ERA. Seven weeks on the disabled list can suck the air out of any pitcher's season. It took that long for Westbrook to recuperate from a strained left oblique that kept him inactive from early May to June 24.
''I just want to turn the page,'' Westbrook said. ''The injury didn't help. I'm such a routine and rhythm guy. When I'm going good, everything is flowing. The injury disrupted everything.''
Cont...
Westbrook working to get back in rhythm After an injury-spoiled 2007 season, he is relying on old, familiar routines
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Mar 06, 2008
WINTER HAVEN, FLA.: Jake Westbrook's numbers weren't pretty last year, but none of the Indians' deep-thinkers raised a worried eyebrow.
After winning 44 games the previous three seasons, Westbrook logged a 6-9 record and 4.32 ERA. Seven weeks on the disabled list can suck the air out of any pitcher's season. It took that long for Westbrook to recuperate from a strained left oblique that kept him inactive from early May to June 24.
''I just want to turn the page,'' Westbrook said. ''The injury didn't help. I'm such a routine and rhythm guy. When I'm going good, everything is flowing. The injury disrupted everything.''
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ABJ
Indians notebook Pitcher Byrd on track, then loses track Indians starter gets out nine of 10 batters faced, miscounts in 2nd inning
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Mar 06, 2008
WINTER HAVEN, FLA.: In contrast to his first training-camp appearance, Paul Byrd looked like he could start the season tomorrow.
As the first Indians pitcher to throw three innings this spring, Byrd retired nine of the 10 batters he faced and was no way culpable in the Tribe's 4-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Chain O' Lakes Park on Wednesday.
Byrd allowed a single to the first batter whom he faced but had it been the regular season, first baseman Ryan Garko probably would have been charged with an error on a ground ball he allowed to handcuff him.
Cont...
Indians notebook Pitcher Byrd on track, then loses track Indians starter gets out nine of 10 batters faced, miscounts in 2nd inning
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Mar 06, 2008
WINTER HAVEN, FLA.: In contrast to his first training-camp appearance, Paul Byrd looked like he could start the season tomorrow.
As the first Indians pitcher to throw three innings this spring, Byrd retired nine of the 10 batters he faced and was no way culpable in the Tribe's 4-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Chain O' Lakes Park on Wednesday.
Byrd allowed a single to the first batter whom he faced but had it been the regular season, first baseman Ryan Garko probably would have been charged with an error on a ground ball he allowed to handcuff him.
Cont...
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ABJ
Good enough, but no room Outfielder Ben Francisco likely headed to Triple-A due to 'numbers game'
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008
SARASOTA, FLA.: It didn't take Indians fans long to make a connection with Ben Francisco. It happened with his sixth big-league at-bat, when he homered to beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on June 29.
For a while, Francisco couldn't stop hitting. In his first 14 at-bats, he amassed seven hits, including three home runs and two doubles. No wonder the fans bonded with Francisco so quickly.
By season's end, Francisco had posted a .274 batting average with five doubles, the same three homers and 12 RBI in 62 at-bats.
He did not avoid returning to Triple-A, even after his stunning introduction to the majors, but after the minor-league season ended, Francisco came back to Cleveland and stayed with the club through September.
Tribe officials don't dispute that Francisco is good enough to play in the big leagues right now, but there's a problem: no room on the roster.
Cont....
Good enough, but no room Outfielder Ben Francisco likely headed to Triple-A due to 'numbers game'
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008
SARASOTA, FLA.: It didn't take Indians fans long to make a connection with Ben Francisco. It happened with his sixth big-league at-bat, when he homered to beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on June 29.
For a while, Francisco couldn't stop hitting. In his first 14 at-bats, he amassed seven hits, including three home runs and two doubles. No wonder the fans bonded with Francisco so quickly.
By season's end, Francisco had posted a .274 batting average with five doubles, the same three homers and 12 RBI in 62 at-bats.
He did not avoid returning to Triple-A, even after his stunning introduction to the majors, but after the minor-league season ended, Francisco came back to Cleveland and stayed with the club through September.
Tribe officials don't dispute that Francisco is good enough to play in the big leagues right now, but there's a problem: no room on the roster.
Cont....
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CPD
Cleveland Indians' Trevor Crowe has bought into team's process of preparation
Thursday, March 06, 2008Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
Winter Haven, Fla.- From General Manager Mark Shapiro to manager Eric Wedge and beyond, the Indians always talk about the process. They repeat it so often that it becomes background noise, a Gregorian chant on low volume.
Trevor Crowe had never struggled on a baseball field before last season. When he did, the process went from a low hum in his ears to a cranked-up iPod. He knew it was the theme of the Indians organization, but to be honest, he'd never had to listen before.
Crowe hit .329 (72-for-219), scored 51 runs and stole 29 bases in 60 games at Class A Kinston, N.C., in 2006. The Indians said their No. 1 pick in 2005 out of the University of Arizona might be in the big leagues sometime in 2007.
"When you're having success," said Crowe, "you can think about whatever you want. You're rolling, you're on that cloud."
Cont...
Cleveland Indians' Trevor Crowe has bought into team's process of preparation
Thursday, March 06, 2008Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
Winter Haven, Fla.- From General Manager Mark Shapiro to manager Eric Wedge and beyond, the Indians always talk about the process. They repeat it so often that it becomes background noise, a Gregorian chant on low volume.
Trevor Crowe had never struggled on a baseball field before last season. When he did, the process went from a low hum in his ears to a cranked-up iPod. He knew it was the theme of the Indians organization, but to be honest, he'd never had to listen before.
Crowe hit .329 (72-for-219), scored 51 runs and stole 29 bases in 60 games at Class A Kinston, N.C., in 2006. The Indians said their No. 1 pick in 2005 out of the University of Arizona might be in the big leagues sometime in 2007.
Cont...
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CPD
Cleveland Indians' Paul Byrd throws three scoreless innings
Thursday, March 06, 2008Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
Winter Haven, Fla.- Paul Byrd, the oldest of the Indians' starting pitchers, says time is gaining on him.
After striking out Atlanta's Tyler Flowers for the second out in the third inning Wednesday , Byrd strode off the mound as if the inning was over. When no one else followed him toward the dugout, Byrd knew he'd goofed.
"I showed my first sign of aging today when I could not keep track of the outs," said Byrd, 37. "That worried me a little bit."
Byrd, with his teammates kidding him, retook the mound and ended the inning by getting Martin Prado on a grounder to second. "If the next guy hit a home run, they would have hee-hawed me off the mound," said Byrd.
Byrd threw three scoreless innings in a 4-1 loss. He struck out two and allowed one hit.
Kelly Shoppach caught all of Byrd's starts last year as he went 15-8 and 2-0 in the postseason. Manager Eric Wedge said he's not sure if he'll keep that combination together. Yamid Haad, a spring-training invitee, caught Byrd on Wednesday.
Cont...
Cleveland Indians' Paul Byrd throws three scoreless innings
Thursday, March 06, 2008Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
Winter Haven, Fla.- Paul Byrd, the oldest of the Indians' starting pitchers, says time is gaining on him.
After striking out Atlanta's Tyler Flowers for the second out in the third inning Wednesday , Byrd strode off the mound as if the inning was over. When no one else followed him toward the dugout, Byrd knew he'd goofed.
"I showed my first sign of aging today when I could not keep track of the outs," said Byrd, 37. "That worried me a little bit."
Byrd threw three scoreless innings in a 4-1 loss. He struck out two and allowed one hit.
Kelly Shoppach caught all of Byrd's starts last year as he went 15-8 and 2-0 in the postseason. Manager Eric Wedge said he's not sure if he'll keep that combination together. Yamid Haad, a spring-training invitee, caught Byrd on Wednesday.
Cont...
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