Indians Tidbits (2008 season)

[LitlBuck]

Can someone explain to me how the Indians have their own tv network, yet todays game isn't on tv?

That game will be the only Indians game not televised this season but after last night we might wish more games would not be televised especially the ninth inning when Joe Blow comes in to relieve.

I think he was very lucky in many games last year and if he is not "lucky" again the Indians could be in for a very long season if they do not admit their mistake and put Raffy B in as their closer or someone else who knows how to save games without giving up a ton of hits.

 

[LitlBuck]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

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.

I will agree that Shapiro is great at finding young talent and locking them up and down the minors for the most part and not using them as trade bait or something. He gets the young talent and lets them sit down in the minors and rot or jerks them up and down until they run out of options and he is stuck with them or has to let them go for free. I guess my problem is what good is having young talent if we are not going to use them for some reason. You can only save that talent for so long that he becomes waste.

He is afraid to upset Dolan and bite the bullet and lose some money just to save face. I think all Indians fans know that and that is one of the reasons Indians fans do not like the higher-ups in the organization.

 

[billmac91]

I don't really care that it worked, and Vlad hit a bullet directly at Cabrera......why the hell does Wedge draw the infield in, in the bottom of the first inning, in a 0-0 game?

They're lucky Vlad didn't pull one down the line and kill Casey Blake.

I also enjoy the fact that we could have our "regular" starting line-up in tonight, but Wedgie gives Peralta the night off. Plus, Peralta is probably the hottest hitter on the team.

 

[NFBuck]

The fact that this team continues to make average pitchers look like all-stars is beyond frustrating.

Well, at least they ain't the Tigers.

 

[NFBuck]

...and right after I type that, Pronk nails a 2-run HR to take the lead.

Please, no JoeBo tonight. :(

 

[billmac91]

The fact that this team continues to make average pitchers look like all-stars is beyond frustrating.

Well, at least they ain't the Tigers.

NF, if you could just continue to make these comments in every critical part of the game we might be in good shape.

Can you make a comment about Westbrook right now that will help him bring the game home?

 

[billmac91]

I've got to be honest...the managing in this game was terrible, IMO.

From bringing the infield in, in the first, to letting Jake go 9 innings, I'm thought it was pretty amateurish.

I'm sure Jake was saying he felt great, but thi sguy missed several starts in Spring Training because of arm issues.

I'm not bitching to bitch, I'm just surprised at some of these moves tonight.

 

[NFBuck]

NF, if you could just continue to make these comments in every critical part of the game we might be in good shape.

No kidding.

From bringing the infield in, in the first, to letting Jake go 9 innings, I'm thought it was pretty amateurish.

I'm sure Jake was saying he felt great, but thi sguy missed several starts in Spring Training because of arm issues.

I'm not bitching to bitch, I'm just surprised at some of these moves tonight.

I don't have a problem leaving Jake in. Aside from the one inning, he had their number and his pitch count was only at about 85 going into the 9th. Better than Borowski IMO.

 

[billmac91]

No kidding.



I don't have a problem leaving Jake in. Aside from the one inning, he had their number and his pitch count was only at about 85 going into the 9th. Better than Borowski IMO.

I didn't know the pitch count was at 85...I guess that expalins that. That's what I get for internet surfing during the game.

And yes, every pitcher on the roster might be a better option than "being a closer isn't about stuff, it's about mental make-up" Borowski.

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ
Hafner homer sets up victory Westbrook closes it out himself to secure complete-game win
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008
ANAHEIM, CALIF.: Let Jake do it.
It's that kind of a decision that makes managers fan favorites. In a departure from the norm, manager Eric Wedge elected to allow starter Jake Westbrook pitch the ninth inning with the Indians leading the Los Angeles Angels 4-3.
Why?
For two reasons. Westbrook threw only 89 pitches through eight innings, and Monday night closer Joe Borowski blew a two-run lead by giving up a grand slam to Torii Hunter.
Westbook yielded a leadoff single to Gary Matthews Jr. but a double-play grounder took care of him, and Westbrook retired the side to pitch a complete game. He gave up only seven hits and struck out four, using only 94 pitches to get the job done.



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[osugrad21]

ABJ

Catching, throwing join list of Tribe's concern... Published on Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008


ANAHEIM, CALIF.: In addition to their balky offense, the Indians have had problems catching and throwing the ball lately, with Jhonny Peralta and Casey Blake having committed two errors apiece.
Asked about the defensive lapses, manager Eric Wedge said, ''We've had a little trouble with everything. It's not just in one area.''
RUNNING WILD ? The Los Angeles Angels stole five bases Monday night and were thrown out only once, with four of the steals coming when Fausto Carmona was on the mound.
However, Wedge did not fault Carmona or catcher Victor Martinez.
''Three times, the ball was there,'' Wedge said. ''One time, a guy got a real good jump on Fausto, but that was really it.''



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[osugrad21]

CPD

Going nine is divine

Westbrook keeps Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Anaheim, Calif.- Jake Westbrook, mild-mannered and polite, left the mound after the sixth inning Tuesday night screaming into his glove in frustration. The frustration, however, turned to jubilation.
The Indians, seemingly beaten by a late-inning homer for the second time in as many days, turned the tables on the Angels. Travis Hafner, with two out in the ninth, drove a two-run homer over the right-field fence off Justin Speier (0-1, 9.00) to give the Indians a 4-3 victory over the Angels.
Westbrook (1-1, 2.76) threw a seven-hitter for the victory. It was the Tribe's first complete game of the season and evened their record at 4-4.

He struck out four and didn't walk a batter. It took him 94 pitches, including 64 strikes, to go the distance.
Still, it was hard to see this victory coming after Vladimir Guerrero took Westbrook deep in the sixth to give the Angels a 3-2 lead. Westbrook, sharp and in control, entered the sixth with a 2-0 lead and a low pitch count. Then it all disappeared in one swing of Guerrero's bat.




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[osugrad21]

CPD

Management wants quick end to slow start


Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Anaheim, Calif.- Manager Eric Wedge and General Manager Mark Shapiro have not been pleased with the way the Indians have started the season.
When asked about his team's struggling defense before Tuesday night's game against the Angels, Wedge said: "We've had a little bit of trouble with everything the last couple of series. It's not one area, it's a little bit of everything that we've got to get better at."
The offense has been nonexistent since the first two games of the season. The Indians entered Tuesday's game hitting .188 (30-for-160) over their past five games with 11 runs.




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[osugrad21]

CPD

Serving up some meatballs


Wednesday, April 09, 2008Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
Anaheim, Calif.- The scout drew this conclusion after watching closer Joe Borowski crumble in the ninth inning Monday night against the Angels.
"Borowski must be hurt," he said. "He has to be hurt."
The scout asked another question.

"If they know Borowski isn't throwing well, why didn't they have someone else up and ready in the bullpen?" he asked.
When Borowski saved the Indians' 2-1 victory over Oakland on Sunday, the fastest pitch he threw was 86 mph. The majority of his 19 pitches ranged between 75 and 85 mph.
Monday night, he topped out at 84.
After the Indians scored three runs off closer Francisco Rodriguez in the top of the ninth to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead, Borowski started the ninth by getting Chone Figgins on a fly ball to left. Then came the avalanche.




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[osugrad21]

Canton

Hafner's ninth-inning homer helps Indians beat Angels, 4-3
[FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Westbrook pitches complete game[/FONT]
UPDATE: 1:27 AM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ANAHEIM, Calif. Travis Hafner hit a two-run homer off emergency closer Justin Speier with two outs in the ninth inning, and Jake Westbrook earned his first complete game win since 2006 to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night.

Speier, forced to close because of Francisco Rodriguez's ankle problems, got the last out in the eighth and retired his first two batters in the ninth before walking Asdrubal Cabrera.

Hafner drove the right-hander's next pitch far over the right-field fence for his second homer, costing Speier his first save since 2004 with Toronto.

It also ended the Angels' streak of victories in games in which they led after eight innings at 163. Until Tuesday, They hadn't lost under those circumstances since April 19, 2006, at Minnesota. Los Angeles extended the streak Monday on Torii Hunter's grand slam in the ninth.

Rodriguez, who was charged with his first blown save Monday, had an MRI on his sore right ankle. X-Rays were negative.


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