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Indians Tidbits (2008 season)

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ABJ

Offensive struggles reminiscent of 2007 Wedge blames current scoring drought on poor approach at plate
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Monday, Apr 07, 2008
OAKLAND, CALIF.: Brief batting slumps the first week of the season often are forgotten quickly, unless they are repeated throughout the schedule.
That's what happened to the Indians last year, when virtually the entire lineup periodically fell into scoring skids that lasted a week or more.
During a 12-game stretch last April, the Tribe posted a 5-7 record and averaged only 2.9 runs. A 25-game stretch in June produced a 13-12 record but only 4.4 runs per game, and it would have been far less except for two games of 10 runs each and three of eight. Eleven times the offense produced three or fewer runs, but a dominating pitching staff came through for 1-0 and 2-1 wins.
In an eight-game stretch in July, the Indians went 2-6, averaging 3.3 runs and scoring two or fewer runs six times. August produced a 12-game span when the attack averaged only 2.8 runs and the club's record was 5-7.
During a long season, there are inevitable ups and downs, but the offense must carry its weight no matter how excellent the pitching.



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CPD

Lee helps O with A game

Garko gets check as Tribe triumphs
Monday, April 07, 2008Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
Oakland, Calif.- Last year, it may have ended differently for Cliff Lee and Ryan Garko.
Lee pitched the Indians to a 2-1 victory over Oakland on Sunday at McAfee Coliseum. The win ended the Indians' three-game losing streak even though the offense still needs work.
The Tribe's hitters certainly didn't overwhelm Oakland. Their two runs came on a botched double-play grounder and a bases-loaded walk - did somebody just yell "Roll on, Big O!" - but Garko took it as a sign of maturity.
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It was Garko who drew the bases-loaded walk with two outs in the seventh inning to force home the winning run against Joe Blanton.
"I guarantee you last year that was a strikeout," said Garko. "I have a tendency to be overaggressive in that situation. I stayed under control and took a good 2-2 pitch and a good 3-2 pitch."
Garko checked his swing on Blanton's 3-2 pitch and was awarded first base as Kelly Shoppach scored to break a 1-1 tie. The A's appealed, but first-base umpire Jim Reynolds ruled that Garko stopped his swing in time. Garko pumped his fist in celebration.
"I was happy," he said. "That's a two-out RBI, and we've been so bad at getting guys in with two out. I understood that it was a big moment in the game. To hand our bullpen a lead late in the game like that . . . we've got a pretty good chance at winning."




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CPD

Catch this: Martinez could return tonight


Monday, April 07, 2008Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
Oakland, Calif.- Catcher Victor Martinez could return to the Indians lineup tonight against the Angels.
Manager Eric Wedge and Martinez were encouraged by his early workout Sunday morning before the Indians beat the A's, 2-1, at McAfee Coliseum. Martinez has missed five straight starts since straining his left hamstring in the season opener against the White Sox on March 31.
"Victor ran around out here real well this morning," said Wedge. "We'll bring Victor out early Monday and let him run the bases. If he feels all right, he'll be in the lineup that night."
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Said Martinez: "I feel a lot better. I ran some gassers and felt good."
Wedge has used five different lineups in the games Martinez missed.
"It's different with Victor not being in here," said Wedge. "When Victor is in there, we're going to be a little more consistent. Without him being in there, we're going to be a little more creative and maybe a little more proactive."
Wedge benched third baseman Casey Blake and right fielder Franklin Gutierrez on Sunday. He gave Andy Marte his first start at third, and he started Jason Michaels in right and David Dellucci in left.
"I'm just trying to find something to help get these guys going," said Wedge.




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Canton

Tribe's Lee gets A's in return
Monday, April 7, 2008
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OAKLAND, Calif. Cliff Lee is much happier with his start in 2008.

Lee sat out last April with an abdominal injury and spent most of the season in the minor leagues. On Sunday, he won his first outing of the year by retiring 10 of his last 12 batters in the Indians' 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

Lee gave up four hits and struck out four in 6 2-3 innings to beat A's ace Joe Blanton (0-2), who carried a shutout into the seventh before Cleveland scored twice on just two hits. Just 5-8 over 16 starts during an injury-filled 2007, Lee retired his first seven hitters.

"The season I had last year, just the motivation from that helped more than anything," Lee said. "Going into the offseason, I couldn't wait to get back to this point right here. To start it out like this feels good."

Lee walked one and only gave up one unearned run in his first start of the season, helping to stop the Indians' three-game losing streak.

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NFBuck;1133557; said:
Definately, if he can regain his 2005 form, the Tribe will be tough to beat. On a less positive note, I'd like to point out what a waste of a roster spot Dellucci is.
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michaels and delucci have a combined one hit in 6 games between them. andy marte, who couldn't hit the clap if he fell into paris hilton's snatch matched that output in 3 AB's.

why francisco who had a great spring, and who is smashing the ball in Buffalo doesn't get AB's over these two chumps is a mystery.
 
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tsteele316;1133846; said:
michaels and delucci have a combined one hit in 6 games between them. andy marte, who couldn't hit the clap if he fell into paris hilton's snatch matched that output in 3 AB's.

why francisco who had a great spring, and who is smashing the ball in Buffalo doesn't get AB's over these two chumps is a mystery.
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I don't think it is a mystery...we already spent the money, and we're too cheap to not see it through.

It also sucks because Francisco had a stretch last year in the bigs where he looked amazing.
 
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tsteele316;1133846; said:
why francisco who had a great spring, and who is smashing the ball in Buffalo doesn't get AB's over these two chumps is a mystery.
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$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Shapiro is great at finding and locking up young talent, but he sucks at free agency. I was, and continue to be, baffled by signing Dellucci, and Michaels is a 4th outfielder at best. Hopefully Francisco gets the call up sooner rather than later. He's out of options too, correct?

Side note...I can't believe Garrett Anderson is still playing.
 
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NFBuck;1134458; said:
Hopefully Francisco gets the call up sooner rather than later. He's out of options too, correct?
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I think this is his last year. Once they use an option, which they have, they can move you up and down the whole season. Michaels will be gone next year and Francisco will be the most of the time LF. The best they can hope for is DD getting another season ending injury to clear space for Ben. They could possibly trade Michaels since this is the last year of his contract and he isn't totally worthless. If you want Francisco to be the LF the only position they can trade for is 3B or RP.
 
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Michaels and Dellucci are a combined 1 for 23. That's not worthy of the 2-hole or any other spot in the damn lineup for the matter. I guarantee Fransisco or Choo (if he wasn't hurt) could be doing better than 1 for 23. Hell I'd bet we have someone in AA who could produce more than that.
 
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