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Indians Tidbits...

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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>LA Angels 2, Cleveland 1</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Preview - Box Score - Recap </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
May 18, 2005

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - May 18, 3:33 pm EDT</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>CLEVELAND (AP) -- Jake Westbrook got the ground balls he wanted, just not the groundouts he needed.

Westbrook carried a two-hitter into the ninth inning and was two outs away from his second career shutout when the Los Angeles Angels rallied for a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.

``I guess that's why we play nine,'' said Angels outfielder Darin Erstad, who tied it with an RBI single in the ninth. ``It doesn't seem fair to him (Westbrook).''

Nothing has been fair this season for Westbrook (1-7). The right-hander has lost two complete games, dropped three one-run games and hasn't gotten any help from Cleveland's sluggish offense. In his nine starts, the Indians have scored 19 runs. ``He has been our tough-luck guy,'' Indians manager Eric Wedge said. Bartolo Colon (5-3) matched Westbrook for eight innings, allowing just one run and four hits. He appeared to be on his way to his own tough loss before the Angels finally figured out Westbrook.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>``He was filthy,'' Erstad said of Westbrook. ``Both pitchers were great.''



Westbrook entered the ninth having retired 20 in a row and it quickly became 21 when he struck out pinch-hitter Juan Rivera leading off. Adam Kennedy then capped an eight-pitch at-bat with a single to give the Angels new life.

``I tip my cap to Mr. Kennedy,'' Chone Figgins said. ``If not for that at-bat I don't think we're celebrating right now.''

Figgins also came through with a clutch single on Westbrook's first pitch to advance Kennedy. Indians manager Eric Wedge didn't have anyone warming up and it was too late anyway when Erstad bounced an RBI single to right -- also on Westbrook's first offering.

``It's a tough one,'' said Westbrook. ``It's kind of frustrating. I was hitting my spots and I felt strong, even in the ninth. It's just one of those things.''

With runners at first and third, Westbrook was lifted for reliever Arthur Rhodes. He got pinch-hitter Bengie Molina to hit a fly to medium right that was deep enough to score Figgins, who slid home ahead of Casey Blake's throw.

The Angels felt fortunate to win and take two of three in the series.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - May 18, 3:26 pm EDT</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>``Westbrook pitched an incredible game,'' Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said. ``I don't think he could have done anymore than he did.''

Scot Shields pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save and second filling in for Francisco Rodriguez, who is sidelined with a strained right forearm. Shields struck out Jody Gerut looking for the final out.

For eight innings, Westbrook's nasty sinker had the Angels guessing, overswinging and pounding the ball into the infield grass.

Westbrook got 15 outs on grounders, and was helped by two double plays from Cleveland's defense. Third baseman Aaron Boone and second baseman Ronnie Belliard also made excellent plays to take hits away from the Angels.

Gerut, making his season debut in Cleveland's outfield, drove in the Indians' only run with an RBI double in the fourth off Colon, who was pitching on just three days' rest.

Gerut hadn't played in the majors since tearing a knee ligament at Jacobs Field on Sept. 17. He was recalled because Coco Crisp went on the 15-day disabled list after spraining his right thumb while sliding into third on Tuesday night.

Gerut wanted to make his season debut earlier, but the Indians felt he needed more work and left him in Buffalo to refine his game. After walking in his first at-bat, Gerut gave the Indians a 1-0 lead with his double.

``It felt good to be out there again,'' Gerut said. ``A lot of fans were saying, 'Welcome back.' It's good to feel a little of that again.''

<SMALL>Notes</SMALL> The Indians dropped to 5-11 in one-run games. ... Rodriguez, who didn't pitch in the series, played catch before the game and said he didn't have any pain. He will be examined on Thursday by Los Angeles team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum. ... Crisp bent his thumb all the way back on his ill-fated slide but played six more innings before the pain became too much. Doctors told him it could take at least three weeks for his thumb to heal completely. ... Los Angeles OF Garret Anderson sat out because of a tight right hamstring. Vladimir Guerrero took Anderson's cleanup spot for the first time this season. ... Cleveland's bullpen, a mess at this point a year ago, entered with the AL's lowest ERA (2.45) and 11 saves in 14 chances. Last season, Indians relievers had already blown 10 saves and had a 6.72 ERA.
Click to expand...
wow....how bad has Westbrook's luck been this year....
 
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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Indians Offense Heads South Again

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Kevin Millwood ... now 1-4.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: May 20, 2005

The Indians apparently can't hit National League pitching, either. Cleveland's offensively-challenged ballclub managed only six hits in a 2-1 loss in Cincinnati in the first interleague game of the season.
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The Reds got only seven hits, but two of them were home runs. Indians starter Kevin Millwood (1-4, 3.31 ERA) once again pitched well but got little offensive support. He allowed one run, Adam Dunn's 12th homer in the sixth inning. David Riske (0.98 ERA) gave up Felipe Lopez's fifth homer in the seventh.

The Indians scored in the eighth on a pinch-hit sacrifice fly by Jose Hernandez to make it 2-1, but Danny Graves came on to strike out Travis Hafner with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Aaron Boone opened the ninth with a single, but Graves came back to strike out Alex Cora and Jhonny Peralta. Indians manager Eric Wedge was ejected during Peralta's at bat for arguing that his young shortstop was trying to get out of the way of an inside pitch while attempting to bunt -- a move that was called a swinging strike by plate umpire Bill Welke.

"He squared around to bunt and the pitch came at him and he was jumping out of the way, that's what I saw," Wedge told reporters.

Grady Sizemore then lined a ball into the gap in right-center and fine fielding from centerfielder Ken Griffey Jr., kept Boone from scoring and held Sizemore to a single. Casey Blake then bounced to third to end the game.

Wedge also was upset with Ron Belliard, who missed a sign that got Jody Gerut thrown out between first and second for the first out of the seventh inning. "Ronnie missed the hit-and-run," Wedge said. "When you are not scoring runs and you miss a sign on top of it in a situation when you can get something going ..."

The Indians have lost four of five -- totalling only five runs in the losses and fell to 3-17 when scoring three or fewer runs. They were a welcome sight for Reds pitchers, who came into the game having allowed 25 runs over a four-game losing streak. The Indians left 10 men on base and were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

Cleveland dropped to 70-70 and the Reds are 49-61 all-time in interleague play.

MINOR MATTERS

CLASS AAA BUFFALO (25-15) won its seventh straight and 19th in 22 games with a 4-2 victory over visiting Louisville. Ernie Young (.303) put the Bisons ahead 2-0, with his eighth homer in the first inning. Mike Kinkade (.296) hit an RBI single in the fourth inning and another run scored later in the inning on a double play for a 4-0 lead. Steve Watkins (4-1, 3.94 ERA) gave up two runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out eight without a walk. Kazuhito Tadano (2.70 ERA) pitched a perfect eighth and Jake Robbins (3.60 ERA) worked the ninth for his eighth save.

CLASS A AKRON (23-16) lost at home to Norwich, 3-2. Left-hander Billy Traber (2-2, 3.33 ERA) pitched well except for the fourth inning, when he gave up three runs on four hits. He gave up only one other hit in eight innings overall, striking out six without a walk. Both Akron runs scored on groundouts as the Aeros totaled only five hits. Right-hander Brian Slocum (3-0, 3.48 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Aeros on Saturday.

CLASS A KINSTON (24-16) lost at Winston-Salem, 5-3. Rafael Perez (4-3, 4.05 ERA) had a 2-1 lead going to the sixth inning, but allowed three runs without getting an out. He gave up four runs, four hits and five walks over five innings. Jim Ed Warden (8.31 ERA) struck out three in one inning and Matt Davis (5.40 ERA) yielded an unearned run and struck out three over the final two innings. Ryan Goleski (.242) went 2-for-4, while Brad Snyder (.311), Kevin Kouzmanoff (.359) and Nate Panther (.266) each drove in a run.

CLASS A LAKE COUNTY (22-19) snapped a four-game losing streak by blanking Greensboro 2-0 as Aaron Laffey and two relievers combined on a four-hitter. Laffey (4-1, 2.78 ERA) gave up only two hits and one walk over six innings, striking out three. Scott Roehl (2.62 ERA) struck out three and gave up one hit over two innings and Kieran Mattison (2.25 ERA) allowed one hit and one walk in the ninth, but also struck out two for his seventh save. Argenis Reyes (.322) got two of the Captains' four hits.


<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>'Slugger' Sabathia Stops Reds, 5-3

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Jhonny Peralta congratulates C.C. Sabathia.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: May 22, 2005

Like most pitchers, C.C. Sabathia loves to talk about how he can hit. There may be no way to keep him quiet now after his mighty homer Saturday night in Cincinnati helped defeat the Reds, 5-3.
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Sabathia's first career homer, a two-run shot in the fourth inning, put Cleveland ahead to stay and came in front of his hero, Reds slugger Ken Griffey Jr. It also continued a tradition by Indians pitchers of going deep in interleague games, especially against the Reds. Dwight Gooden and Dave Burba also homered in games in Cincinnati and Jason Davis went yard last year in Atlanta.

Sabathia (3-3, 3.48 ERA) said he goes to the plate every time thinking home run. "I swing as hard as I can every time," he told reporters of his blast over the center-field wall. "I just lucked out up there and actually caught up with one. That was probably the best part of hitting the home run. You know I'm a big Griffey fan, and watching him chase that ball was huge."

The left-hander also got his first win since April 29. He allowed seven hits and three runs (two earned) over six innings -- striking out six without a walk -- though Griffey Jr. had two RBI against him with a single and a groundout in his first two at-bats to help Cincinnati take a 3-1 lead.

Bob Wickman (3.52 ERA) worked the ninth for his 12th save in 14 chances -- and eighth in a row. That came after Bob Howry (2.55 ERA) pitched 1 1/3 innings and Arthur Rhodes (0.92 ERA) gave up one hit and struck out two.

Victor Martinez (.195) snapped an 0-for-17 streak with an RBI single in the first inning and Jhonny Peralta (.258) continued his recent surge with a two-run single and then scored on Sabathia's shot.

C.C. SABATHIA'S MAJOR-LEAGUE BATTING CAREER: <TABLE borderColor=red cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=2 <TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>Yr

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="19%" height=20>Team

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>Age

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>G

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>AB

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>H

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="7%" height=20>AVG

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>HR

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>RBI

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>R

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>BB

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>SO

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>01

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="19%" height=20>Cleveland

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>20

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>33

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>4

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="7%" height=20>.000

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>02

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="19%" height=20>Cleveland

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>21

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>33

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>5

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>1

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="7%" height=20>.200

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>1

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>1

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>1

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>03

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="19%" height=20>Cleveland

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>22

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>31

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>6

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>3

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="7%" height=20>.500

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>1

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>1

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>04

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="19%" height=20>Cleveland

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>23

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>30

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>4

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>1

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="7%" height=20>.250

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>2

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>05

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="19%" height=20>Cleveland

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>24

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>7

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>3

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>1

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="7%" height=20>.333

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>1

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>2

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>1

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>0

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="19%" height=20>MLB Totals

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="4%" height=20>

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>134

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>22

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>6

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="7%" height=20>.273

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>1

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>2

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>2

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>1

</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="5%" height=20>4

</TD>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
MINOR MATTERS

CLASS AAA BUFFALO (25-16) had its seven-game winning streak halted by visiting Charlotte, 2-1. Brian Tallet (3-1, 2.53 ERA) allowed two runs and four hits over innings, though only one run was earned. Fernando Cabrera (1.17 ERA) gave up only one hit over two innings, striking out four, and Andrew Brown (5.68 ERA) worked a scoreless ninth. John Rodriguez (.266) got the Bison's only run on his fifth homer. Jeff Liefer (.242) went 3-for-3 and Jake Gautreau (.285) 2-for-4 for the Bisons. Former two-time AL MVP Frank Thomas went 1-for-4 on a rehab assignment for Charlotte.

CLASS A AKRON (23-17) was trounced at home by Norwich, 9-3. Brian Slocum (3-1, 3.63 ERA) gave up three runs over six innings, while Travis Foley (6.75 ERA) and Chris Cooper (2.82 ERA) each allowed three runs in one inning -- though two of the runs against Cooper were unearned. Eider Torres (.275) went 2-for-5 and Jose Morban (.260) went 2-for-4 to lead the Aeros' offense.

CLASS A KINSTON (24-17) lost at Winston-Salem, 3-2, though Nate Panther (.275), Chris De La Cruz (.263) and Ryan Goleski (.247) all got two hits. Ron Bay (4-2, 2.89 ERA) allowed three runs and six hits over six innings, striking out seven. Juan Lara (2.96 ERA) gave up one hit over two scoreless innings.

CLASS A LAKE COUNTY (23-19) won 11-7 as Chris Gimenez broke a 7-7 tie in the bottom of the eighth with a grand slam. Gimenez (.182) went 2-for-3, scored three runs and hit his fourth homer. Brian Finegan (.261) went 2-for-3 with his second homer, a three-run shot in the second inning, Brian Barton (.500) went 3-for-5 and Mike Butia (.227) and Marshall Szabo (.237) each had 2-for-5 nights for the Captains. Michael Hernandez (3-1, 1.98 ERA) suffered his first blown save as he gave up one run over two innings, but was still in the game when Gimenez homered and got the win. Captains starter Tony Sipp (1.36 ERA) gave up a season-high four runs (three earned) over five innings, but struck out six without a walk. Brandon Rickert made his season debut and allowed two runs in one inning and Kyle Collins (0.87) finished by working a perfect ninth.


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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Tribe Triumphs, As Do Farm Clubs
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Cliff Lee ... now 5-2.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: May 22, 2005

Ron Belliard and Casey Blake each had three of the Indians' 16 hits and Cliff Lee struck out seven in his fifth win as the Indians rolled to a 9-2 victory over the Reds in Cincinnati on Sunday.
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Grady Sizemore drove in two runs with a single and triple, Blake had three RBI, Ryan Ludwick hit his fourth homer and Josh Bard had two hits and drove in two runs as the Indians took two of three in the interleague series.

"I think it's more important for us to work off winning this series, look and see what we've done," manager Eric Wedge told reporters. "We've still got a long way to go. We need to be more consistent offensively."

Lee (5-2, 3.69 ERA) allowed only two singles over the first five innings, then gave up a run in the sixth on a double by ex-Indian Sean Casey and Joe Randa's two-out RBI single. Rafael Betancourt, Scott Sauerbeck, Bobby Howry and David Riske finished the combined eight-hitter.

Cleveland scored six runs in the ninth inning, including five off ex-Indians right-hander Danny Graves, who was booed off the field as the Reds lost for the 18th time in 23 games.

At least only Graves' pride was bruised. Reds starter Ramon Ortiz left in the sixth inning after a grounder hit by Belliard deflected off the left side of his face.

Ludwick's homer in the sixth hit off the foul pole. He strained his right shoulder when he ran into the padded outfield wall trying to make a catch in the seventh and was replaced an inning later.

MINOR MATTERS

Outfielder Juan Gonzalez concluded his play at extended spring training on Saturday by going 1-for-3 and will report to Class AAA Buffalo on Monday when the Bisons play at 10:30 a.m. against the Charlotte Knights. Gonzalez, MVP of the American League in 1996 and 1998, could be in the lineup against another two-time MVP winner on rehab assignment, Frank Thomas with the Knights.

CLASS AAA BUFFALO (26-16)</B> routed visiting Charlotte, 12-4, as Ernie Young hit two homers and drove in four runs. Young (.315) went 3-for-4 with his ninth and 10th homers, Mike Kinkade (.298) went 2-for-4 with his sixth homer, Andy Abad (.232) hit a three-run homer (No. 5) and went 2-for-4, and Jake Gautreau (.289) drove in three runs and went 2-for-5. Brandon Phillips (.249) and Darnell McDonald (.277) both went 2-for-3 as the Bisons totaled 16 hits. Francisco Cruceta (4-1, 4.74 ERA) pitched a complete game, giving up four runs on seven hits, but did not walk anyone and struck out four. Thomas went 1-for-4 for Charlotte.

CLASS A AKRON (24-17) blanked visiting Norwich, 5-0, as Dan Denham and two relievers combined on an eight-hitter. Denham (3-1, 2.86 ERA) gave up six hits and one walk over six innings, striking out five. Steve Green (4.07 ERA) worked two perfect innings and Tom Mastny, just promoted from Class A Kinston, pitched a scoreless ninth, allowing two hits. Jon Van Every (.233) hit his seventh homer and went 2-for-4, Franklin Gutierrez (.241) went 1-for-3 with two RBI and Eider Torrez (.286) scored twice and went 2-for-3.

CLASS A KINSTON (25-17) rolled to a 10-4 victory at Winston-Salem as Mike Conroy hit two homers and Nate Panther one. Conroy (.325) went 3-for-4, scored three runs, drove in three, and hit his first two homers. Panther (.289) also went 3-for-4, scored twice and hit his seventh homer. Ryan Goleski (.252) and Chris De La Cruz (.272) both went 2-for-4 for the K-Tribe. Nick Pesco (5-3, 3.14 ERA) gave up five hits and two walks over six scoreless innings, striking out two. Mariano Gomez (3.14 ERA) gave up two runs over two innings and Dan Eisentrager (7.50 ERA) allowed two more over one inning.

CLASS A LAKE COUNTY (24-19) defeated visiting Lakewood, 10-3, as Argenis Reyes and Juan Valdes each drove in three runs. Reyes (.320) went 2-for-4, scored twice and hit two triples. Valdes (.175) also went 2-for-4 while Chad Longworth (.258) went 3-for-4 and scored twice for the Captains. Starter Justin Hoyman (3.00 ERA) allowed three runs over four innings, but only one run was earned. Adrian Schau (2-2, 5.25 ERA) gave up one hit over three scoreless innings for the win and T.J. Burton (4.88 ERA) gave up two hits over two scoreless innings.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Tribe Tops Twins On Sacrifice Fly, 2-1
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Ron Belliard completes a double play.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: May 24, 2005

The Indians got a couple of breaks at the right time and a tiebreaking sacrifice fly by Victor Martinez in the eighth inning to edge the Minnesota Twins, 2-1, Monday night at Jacobs Field.
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"It was a good baseball game, but we were a little unlucky tonight," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. "Cleveland played well, take nothing from them, but we had opportunities to win the game and just couldn't get it done."

The Twins came within inches of tying the score in the ninth against Bob Wickman when Torii Hunter hit a one-out double off the right-field wall that just missed being a home run. Then again, the ball just eluded Casey Blake, who nearly made a great catch as he crashed into the wall.

One out later, Hunter broke for third and clearly had the base stolen, but Jacque Jones swung on the pitch and grounded out. After walking Lew Ford, Wickman got his 13th save by inducing Michael Cuddyer to ground out.

The Indians broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the eighth when Martinez lined a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Jhonny Peralta from third base. Peralta had reached on a checked-swing hit off his bat that found its way to right field for an inning-opening single. He was sacrificed to second by Grady Sizemore and singled to third by Casey Blake. After Travis Hafner walked, Martinez, in a 1-for-24 slump, delivered just his 12th RBI of the season. The switch-hitter drove in 108 runs last year.

Aaron Boone put Cleveland ahead with an RBI single in the second inning.

Indians starter Scott Elarton pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings and Scott Sauerbeck got two outs in the sixth before the Twins tied it off Rafael Betancourt in the seventh on a two-out RBI double by Cuddyer. It could have been worse for Cleveland, but Hunter was caught stealing on a play earlier in the inning when Ford missed a hit-and-run sign before Cuddyer came to bat.

Arthur Rhodes (3-1) worked a perfect eighth, striking out two for the win as Cleveland improved to 6-12 in one-run games.

MINOR MATTERS

Juan Gonzalez reported to Class AAA Buffalo for his rehab assignment -- but did only what he has pretty much been doing for two months at extended spring training in Florida. He took batting practice and did not play in the Bisons' game. Reportedly, he left Dunn Tire Park in the early innings of a game where his bat surely could have been put to use at least as a pinch hitter. The veteran outfielder, sidelined since March 26 with a strained hamstring, is tentatively scheduled to be in the lineup Tuesday night.

CLASS AAA BUFFALO (27-16) hit five home runs and defeated visiting Charlotte, 10-7, on pinch-hitter Andy Abad's three-run shot in the bottom of the 11th inning. Dusty Wathan (.257) forced extra innings by leading off the bottom of the ninth with his fourth homer to tie it, 7-7. Abad (.238) hit his sixth of the year to win it. Darnell McDonald (.283) and Ernie Young (.315) each hit two-run shots in a four-run eighth inning that got the Bisons back into the game. It was Young's 11th and McDonald's first of the season. Jake Gautreau (.291) hit his ninth of the year in the sixth. McDonald and Gautreau each had two hits, Jake Thrower (.230) went 3-for-5 and Mike Kinkade (.297) went 1-for-4, but scored three runs for Buffalo. Fernando Cabrera (5-0, 1.08 ERA) allowed two hits over two scoreless innings for the win. He walked one and struck out three. Bisons starter Jason Davis (5.40 ERA) gave up three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings, striking out four. Kenny Rayborn (4.82 ERA) allowed two runs in two innings and Andrew Brown (5.85 ERA) and Jake Robbins (3.94 ERA) each gave up one run in one inning. Ex-Indians infielder Ricky Gutierrez went 1-for-5 at shortstop for Charlotte, but rehabilitating slugger Frank Thomas did not play for the Knights.

CLASS A AKRON (24-18) managed only one hit, a one-out double by Javier Herrera in the sixth inning, and lost at home to Erie, 1-0, to drop into a first-place tie with the Seawolves in the Southern Division of the Eastern League. Fausto Carmona (2-4, 3.49 ERA) allowed one run and three hits over eight innings, striking out five without issuing a walk. Kyle Evans (4.15 ERA) pitched a perfect ninth, striking out two. Virgil Vasquez (1-0), who had gone 4-1 at Class A Lakeland before being promoted to Erie, struck out five Aeros and allowed one walk over eight innings Edwin Almonte worked a perfect ninth for his 14th save.

CLASS A KINSTON (25-18) lost at Salem, 2-1, avoiding a shutout in the ninth when Nate Panther (2-for-5, .293) hit a two-out double and scored on a single by Caleb Brock (2-for-4, .281). Kinston starter Jeremy Sowers (5-3, 2.17 ERA) allowed two runs on two hits and four walks over 5 2/3 innings, striking out seven. Matt Davis (4.97 ERA) pitched a perfect 2 1/3 innings, striking out four for the K-Tribe.

CLASS A LAKE COUNTY (25-19) rallied to edge visiting Lakewood, 4-2, on eighth-inning solo homers by Brian Barton and Wyatt Toregas. Barton (2-for-4, .457) snapped a 2-2 tie with a one-out homer, his second. Toregas (3-for-4, .242) hit his fifth homer with two outs. Mike Butia (1-for-4, .228) put the Captains ahead in the first inning with his third homer, a two-run shot. Starter Chris Niesel (4.44 ERA) allowed only one unearned run on three hits and one walk over five innings, striking out five. Scott Roehl (2.42 ERA) allowed another unearned run over two innings and was charged with a blown save as Lakewood tied the score, helped by a throwing error by the pitcher. The Blue Claws had one runner thrown out at home and left the bases loaded in the eighth against Kyle Collins (2-2, 0.83 ERA), who allowed two hits and two walks in the inning, but ended up with the win. Then in the ninth, Lakewood got three hits and one walk off Kieran Mattison (2.08 ERA), who earned his eighth save when the Blue Claws again had a runner thrown out at home and again left the bases loaded.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Tribe Topped In 11 By Twins, 6-3

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Ben Broussard is out on one of three Twins DPs.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: May 25, 2005

Whenever Jake Westbrook pitches, heartbreak seems to follow -- even if he is no longer in the game. The right-hander worked six innings and the Indians lost in 11 to the Minnesota Twins, 6-3, on a three-run double that Cleveland centerfielder Grady Sizemore couldn't quite catch.
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Sizemore (.276) and Jody Gerut (.389) each hit homers for the Tribe, which failed to construct its first four-game winning streak of the season when Justin Morneau hit a bases-loaded double into the gap in left-center off Scott Sauerbeck in the 11th. It came with two outs on an 0-2 pitch that Sauerbeck didn't think was all that bad.

"It had sharp break to it, maybe got a little bit too much of the plate," said the left-hander, who came on after David Riske (1-1) yielded a double to Nick Punto and walked Shannon Stewart with one out.

Sauerbeck struck out lefty Joe Mauer, then walked right-hander Lew Ford. "Let's put it this way, Ford was not going to hit a strike," said Sauerbeck. "It was one of those unintentional intentional walks." He threw three straight breaking pitches to Morneau, who dumped a soft liner to left-center that Sizemore just missed -- though it would have been a sensational game-saving catch had he made it.

"When he hit it, I thought it was right at Grady, but then the wind moved it 10 feet the other way," said Sauerbeck, who told reporters he looked at video replay to see what happened. "It was like watching a bad dream in slo-mo."

Portions of the game replicated the Indians' frustrating season. Cleveland hit into three double plays and failed to turn one themselves when second baseman Ronnie Belliard made an error. That misplay put Westbrook in a second-inning jam, but the right-hander struck out Michael Cuddyer and Punto to emerge unscathed.

The Indians didn't exactly excel on the bases, either. After Gerut's first homer tied it 1-1 in the fifth, Jose Hernandez walked -- and was promptly thrown out trying to steal second. Jhonny Peralta followed with a double to center, but was out trying to make it a triple.

"That was not a good sequence of events," said Indians manager Eric Wedge, who again lamented his team's lack of pitch selection at the plate.

Cleveland has totaled only 22 runs in Westbrook's 10 starts. He pitched decently once again, allowing two runs over six innings as the first of seven pitchers employed by Wedge.

MINOR MATTERS

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CLASS AAA BUFFALO (28-17) had its lead in the Northern Division of the International League cut to two games when the Bisons lost at home to Charlotte, 5-4. Indians outfielder Juan Gonzalez made his much ballyhooed debut on injury rehab and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout for Buffalo and Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas went 0-for-2 with a walk while on injury rehab for the Knights. Andy Abad (.254) supplied most of Buffalo's offense by going 3-for-4 and hitting a solo homer, his ninth. Jeff Liefer (.245) hit his seventh homer for the Bisons, who got only five hits off former big-leaguer Robert Person and two relievers. Buffalo starter Jeremy Guthrie (3-5, 5.96 ERA) gave up five runs and six hits over six innings. Kazuhito Tadano (2.48 ERA) finished, pitching three hitless innings.

CLASS A AKRON (24-19) fell one game behind first-place Erie in the Southern Division of the Eastern League with a 5-2 home loss to the SeaWolves. Eider Torres (.274) went 2-for-4 and hit his third homer, a solo shot in the third inning, to lead the Aeros, who got only six hits. Akron starter Jake Dittler (2.30 ERA) pitched well once again, striking out eight without a walk and giving up only one run and seven hits over six innings. He left with a 2-1 lead, but Travis Foley (2-1, 6.75) suffered his second blown save when he allowed three runs in 1 1/3 innings. Only one run was earned because of Foley's wildness. He made a key throwing error after fielding a grounder and also uncorked two wild pitches. Chris Cooper (3.00 ERA) then allowed one more run over the final 1 2/3 innings.

CLASS A KINSTON (25-19) had its lead in the Southern Division of the Carolina League trimmed to a half game by losing in Salem, 6-2. The K-Tribe was hitless for the first five innings and scored twice in the sixth when they got three of their four total hits. Caleb Brock (.280) broke up the no-hitter with a one-out single and scored on a double by Brad Snyder (.296). Kevin Kouzmanoff (.344) then hit an RBI single, advanced on a wild pitch, but was thrown out at home on a single by Ryan Goleski (.246), who went to second on the throw. Goleski got to third on another wild pitch, but Mike Conroy (.283) struck out to end the rally. Sean Smith (1-1, 3.00 ERA) gave up five runs over 5 2/3 innings, Juan Lara (3.16 ERA) yielded another run over 1 1/3 innings and Edward Mujica (3.21 ERA) struck out two in a scoreless ninth.

CLASS A LAKE COUNTY (26-19), two games off the pace in the Northern Division of the South Atlantic League, won at home over Lakewood, 8-5. Brian Barton (.475) continued his torrid hitting with three doubles in five at-bats, scoring twice and driving in one run for the Captains. Brian Finegan (.264) went 2-for-3 with three RBI, Josh Noviskey (.232) was 2-for-5 with two runs and Chris Gimenez (.189) had a 2-for-5 night. Reid Santos (1-3, 6.31 ERA) allowed only one unearned run over five innings. T.J. Burton (4.68) pitched one scoreless inning, Michael Hernandez (1.84 ERA) worked two scoreless, but Brandon Rickert (13.50 ERA) was hit hard in his second outing of the season, allowing four runs on three hits and a walk in the ninth.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Twins' Extra Effort Tops Tribe in 11

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Casey Blake is doubled off first base.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: May 27, 2005

Fundamental baseball usually means the difference between winning and losing the close games. It showed again Thursday night in the Indians' 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins in 11 innings.
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Shannon Stewart homered with two outs in the 11th off David Riske (1-2) -- but the Indians' lack of execution on offense earlier in the game cost them a shot at victory. Instead, the Twins gained a split of the four-game series, which concluded with three extra-inning games. Of the 10 games between the AL Central rivals this season, six have been decided by one run and nine by three runs or fewer.

Jody Gerut had three of Cleveland's 16 hits as every Indians batter had at least one safety. Gerut flew out to right field for the final out with two on in the bottom of the 11th against Twins closer Joe Nathan. It was the last two of 13 runners left on base by Cleveland.

The most frustrating moment followed a brief offensive outburst in the seventh inning that tied the score, 4-4. Trailing, 4-1, Alex Cora, Ron Belliard and Grady Sizemore hit consecutive doubles and Casey Blake followed with a triple off Twins starter Brad Radke. Lefty reliever J.C. Romero then came on and struck out both Travis Hafner and Ben Broussard and got the third straight lefty, Gerut, to fly out to right. Jacque Jones made a diving grab of the sinking liner.

Indians third baseman Aaron Boone made two errors, failed to put down a good bunt to move a runner over in the eighth and fouled out on the first pitch with a runner on in the 10th. He went 1-for-5, which brought his average UP to .163.

Earlier, Blake was doubled off first as he ran all the way to second on a fly ball and could not get back in time to beat a bouncing throw from left fielder Shannon Stewart.

Tribe starter C.C. Sabathia gave up four runs on six hits and five walks over 8 2/3 innings. He pitched well except for a spot in the fourth inning, when he seemed to get a bit flustered at one of Boone's errors and yielded three runs -- then settled down to pitch into the ninth.

MINOR MATTERS

Buffalo manager Marty Brown has been selected to lead the International League All-Stars against the Pacific League All-Star team in the 18th Annual Triple A All-Star Game on July 13 in Sacramento. Brown is in his third season as Bisons manager. ... The Indians recalled left-hander Brian Tallet from Buffalo to replace right-hander Kevin Millwood, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right groin. Tallet, 27, has spent the entire 2005 season in the Bisons' starting rotation, going 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA in nine starts. In 46 1/3 innings, he has allowed 36 hits and 14 walks, while strikingou 35. He last appeared in a big league game on July 21, 2003 and spent all of 2004 recovering from reconstructive left elbow surgery in August 2003. ... To replace Tallet at Buffalo, lefty Billy Traber was called up from Class AA Akron. Earlier this week, right-hander Victor Kleine was moved from Akron to Buffalo.

CLASS AAA BUFFALO (29-17) rolled to a 7-1 victory in Rochester in a morning game. Ernie Young (.319) continued his surge, going 2-for-4 with his 12th homer and Mike Kinkade (.290) went 1-for-3 with his seventh homer. Juan Gonzalez (.222)went 2-for-5 and scored once in his second game on an injury rehab assignment with the Bisons. Steve Watkins (5-1, 3.57 ERA) allowed four hits and two walks over five scoreless innings. Kenny Rayborn (4.50 ERA) gave up an unearned run over two innings while Fernando Cabrera (1.04 ERA) and Victor Kleine each worked a scoreless inning.

CLASS A AKRON (25-20) came within one out of being no-hit in a 4-0 home loss to Erie, falling one game behind the first-place SeaWolves. Jason Cooper ruined the no-hitter with a two-out single to center in the bottom of the ninth off relief pitcher Edwin Almonte. The Aeros loaded the bases in bizarre fashion in the eighth against Joel Zumaya, who allowed four walks, hit a batter and committed a balks -- but struck out 14 over 8 1/3 innings. He hit Pat Osborn with a pitch to open the eighth, then walked Jonathan Van Every and balked both runners ahead. He struck out Javier Herrera and Ivan Ochoa, but walked Eider Torres and was replaced by Almonte, who struck out Scott Youngbauer. In the ninth, Almonte got Jose Morban to pop to third and Franklin Gutierrez to ground to third before Cooper delivered. Osborn then struck out to end the game. Aeros starter Brian Slocum (3-2, 3.94 ERA) gave up four runs over six innings, striking out eight. Kyle Evans (2.84 ERA) worked two scoreless innings and Todd Pennington (3.68 ERA) one scoreless inning for Akron.

CLASS A KINSTON (26-20) got only four hits and made three errors in a 6-1 loss at Winston Salem and dropped a half-game behind the first-place Warthogs in the Southern Division of the Carolina League. Starter Ron Bay (2.74 ERA) gave up one run on three hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings, striking out seven. Matt Davis (2-3, 5.40 ERA) allowed four runs in one inning, though only two were earned. Juan Lara ((3.33 ERA) gave up another run in one inning and Jim Ed Warden (7.20 ERA) pitched one scoreless inning.

CLASS A LAKE COUNTY (27-20) split a grueling doubleheader in West Virginia, winning the first game in 15 innings as Chris Gimenez hit a two-run double to break a 4-4 tie and scored on a single by Marshall Szabo for a 7-4 triumphr. Brian Barton went 2-for-7 and hit a two-run homer, his third. Fernando Pacheco went 3-for-7 for the Captains. Brandon Rickert (1-0, 5.40 ERA) pitched three scoreless innings for the win. Starter Tony Sipp (1.58 ERA) gave up three runs (two earned) over six innings, striking out four without a walk. Kieran Mattison (1.93 ERA) suffered a blown save when he yielded an unearned run as the Captains made two errors in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score, 4-4. Kyle Collins (0.76 ERA) worked two hitless innings and Scott Roehl (2.17 ERA) allowed one hit over three scoreless innings. The Power prevailed in the second game, 7-3. Brian Finegan had an RBI double and scored on a single by Juan Valdes in the fifth to pull within 5-2. Finegan scored on a wild pitch in the seventh to conclude the scoring. Adrian Schau (2-3) was the losing pitcher.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Indians without Wedge</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" type="block" width="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>May 27, 2005


CLEVELAND (AP) -- Indians manager Eric Wedge left the team to attend to a ``personal family emergency'' and missed the club's series opener against the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said Wedge should be back in time for Saturday night's game. Bench coach Buddy Bell will fill in while Wedge is out. ``Everything is fine,'' said Shapiro, adding that Wedge remained in the Cleveland area. ``He'll be back here tomorrow. It's something that every one of us would have taken a day off to deal with.''


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Shapiro declined to comment on any details of Wedge's absence.



Wedge was noticeably distracted earlier this week. He was late each day for his pregame meeting with reporters and, on Thursday, he and Bell left batting practice and retreated to the clubhouse before the series finale against Minnesota.

They are usually on the field for the entire Indians workout.

Wedge is in his third season with the Indians (21-25), who entered the weekend 11 games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox in the AL Central.

In spring training, Cleveland signed the 37-year-old -- the majors' youngest manager -- to a two-year contract extension through 2007. The extension includes a two-year club option through 2009. Last season, Wedge led the Indians to a 80-82 record -- a 12-game improvement from his first year.
Click to expand...


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" type="block" width="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Cleveland 4, Oakland 1</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" type="block" width="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Preview - Box Score - Recap </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer

May 27, 2005

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<SMALL>AP - May 27, 11:08 pm EDT</SMALL>
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>CLEVELAND (AP) -- The instant Bob Wickman's left foot landed awkwardly in a hole on his first warmup pitch, sharp pain coursed up his spine. Before his next windup, Wickman kept telling himself to stop.

Foolishly, he didn't. Luckily, he seems to be fine.

``Maybe I should have called it quits right there,'' the Indians' closer said. ``I don't know. I knew she was hurting pretty bad, but I wanted to stay in there as long as I could. It was hurting.''

Despite severe back spasms, Wickman stayed in long enough to get two outs in the ninth inning of Cleveland's 4-1 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. Cliff Lee outpitched Barry Zito, overcame two rain delays and combined with four relievers on a four-hitter as the Indians defeated the A's in a matchup of the AL's two lowest-scoring teams. Lee (6-2) allowed two singles in six shutout innings for his fourth win in five starts. The left-hander overcame a horrible start, when he allowed Oakland to load the bases in the first before wiggling out of the jam.


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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>eighth and Grady Sizemore went 2-for-4 with two steals and an RBI for Cleveland. Jhonny Peralta had an RBI, triple and scored.



After giving up Nick Swisher's one-out single in the second, Lee retired 14 in a row while enduring a pair of rain delays totaling 47 minutes.

Rafael Betancourt worked the seventh, Bob Howry the eighth and Wickman came on in the ninth to finish up, but couldn't. Cleveland pitchers had retired 20 straight before Mark Kotsay doubled to open the inning.

Wickman had jarred his back in a divot on the mound in warmups, and his inability to follow through led to a pair of walks. That's when he knew he couldn't go on and gave up the ball to pitching coach Carl Willis.

Although his back was aching, Wickman, who missed all of 2003 following elbow surgery, was glad things weren't worse.

``It's not the arm at all,'' said Wickman, who contemplated retirement after last season. ``I jarred my back when I hit the landing hole. I think you could tell I wasn't able to finish off my pitches. Obviously I'll take a day off.''

David Riske was brought in with two outs and a 2-0 count on Swisher and gave up an infield RBI single before getting rookie Dan Johnson, in his first big-league game, to ground to second for his first save since July 17.

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<SMALL>AP - May 27, 11:08 pm EDT</SMALL>
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The A's have lost six straight and were nearly shut out for the seventh time. Oakland has lost 15 of 18.

``This is really a test of what is inside our hearts,'' Zito said. ``We'll definitely overcome this. Sooner would be better than later.''

Zito (1-6) allowed just one run and two hits in six innings. The lefty walked four, struck out a season-high seven but remained winless in his last five starts.

``Barry has been a tremendous teammate through all of this,'' Oakland manager Ken Macha said. ``He's in the dugout cheering for everybody. He pitched well. We've got to let these pitchers know that we can give them some offensive support. Our 3-4-5 guys are not driving in runs.''

Lee was thankful for the 23-minute rain delay in the third. Unable to find his location, he loaded the bases in the first on a single and two walks before striking out Eric Chavez and inducing Keith Ginter to hit into a double play.

``I was actually glad about the first rain delay,'' Lee said. ``It gave me a chance to regroup.''

<SMALL>Notes</SMALL> Indians manager Eric Wedge left the team to attend to a ``personal family emergency.'' Bench coach Buddy Bell ran the club, but general manager Mark Shapiro said Wedge should be back in time for Saturday night's game. ... Rain stopped the game for 23 minutes in the third and 24 in the fifth. ... Oakland placed DH Erubiel Durazo on the 15-day disabled list with elbow tendinitis, making him the sixth A's player on the DL. ... 1B Johnson, who was leading the Pacific Coast League with 41 RBIs for Sacramento, was called up by Oakland. He nearly became the 89th player in history to homer in his first major league at-bat when he pulled a ball deep but foul in the second. ... Indians OF Juan Gonzalez went 2-for-4 in a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo. The two-time AL MVP, out all season with hamstring injuries, could join Cleveland as soon as Tuesday. ... The A's are 5-18 in May, their most losses in any month since they went 8-19 in July 1997. Oakland's worst month came in June 1979, when it went 5-24.
Click to expand...
The indians are starting to turn things around having won 6 out of 10 and now are just three games from .500 (22-25), they are still only 10 games out of first and its only June.
 
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yahoo.com

6/1/05



<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class="" vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Activated by Indians earlier in day, Gonzalez gets hurt again</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By DAVE CAMPBELL, AP Sports Writer

May 31, 2005

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<SMALL>AP - May 24, 8:59 pm EDT</SMALL>
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Juan Gone came and went.

Juan Gonzalez, sidelined all season because of a strained right hamstring, was activated by the Cleveland Indians from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. Hours later, he reaggravated the injury while running out a grounder in the first inning -- his first major league at-bat since May 21, 2004.

Batting cleanup and assigned to play right field, Gonzalez hit a bouncer to third base -- and pulled up lame about halfway down the first-base line. Television replays showed him wince as he slowed to a jog. Casey Blake replaced him in right field for the bottom of the inning.

Manager Eric Wedge said after the Indians' 4-3 victory that the oft-injured slugger would probably return to Cleveland to have his leg examined and likely faces a return to the disabled list. Wedge had to confer with general manager Mark Shapiro before a roster move was made.

``He felt it. It was real,'' Wedge said. ``It's just a matter of what further tests show.'' Gonzalez joined the Indians in Minnesota for the opener for the start of a three-game series against the Twins -- and the beginning of a season-high, 12-game road trip. To make room for Gonzalez, the club designated outfielder Ryan Ludwick for assignment. ``Supposedly for me, I'm healthy right now,'' Gonzalez said before the game. ``We'll see what happens.''


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Unable to contribute to a team that has been struggling offensively, Gonzalez was frustrated since getting hurt in spring training. But he pledged to maintain a patient approach to his latest injury return.



``One game at a time,'' he said.

Gonzalez was not in the clubhouse after the game.

``I feel bad for Juan,'' Wedge said. ``The guy has put so much time and effort into it. ... He's worked so hard. I can't even imagine the frustration he's feeling and the emotions he's feeling right now.''

Shapiro said earlier in the day the Indians hoped to ease Gonzalez back into an everyday player. Until then, the plan was for Gonzalez to play ``three or four games a week'' in right field.

Gonzalez's arrival was supposed to mean less playing time for Blake, a former third baseman who was moved to the outfield this season. Blake is batting just .201. Manager Eric Wedge said outfielders Jody Gerut and Grady Sizemore and designated hitter Travis Hafner would also get occasional days off to accommodate Gonzalez in the lineup.

After signing as a free agent in January, the two-time AL MVP made Cleveland's roster during spring training but hurt his right hamstring while making a catch on the same day Wedge announced that Gonzalez was his starting right fielder.

Gonzalez spent several weeks at extended spring training in Florida. He began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo last week and batted .286 with no homers and one RBI in five games for the Bisons.

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<SMALL>AP - May 24, 8:58 pm EDT</SMALL>
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Shapiro said the club received good reports on Gonzalez's progress.

At times during spring training, the 35-year-old Gonzalez pulled pitches to left field the way he did as one of the AL's most feared hitters for nearly a decade. Gonzalez's production has plummeted in recent years because of injuries.

Gonzalez played in only 33 games a year ago for Kansas City because of a back injury. A career .295 hitter, he has 434 homers and 1,404 RBIs in 14 seasons with Texas, Detroit, Cleveland and the Royals. He's 64 hits of shy of 2,000 in his career.

Gonzalez had one of his best seasons in 2001 for Cleveland, batting a career-best .325 with 35 homers and 140 RBIs.

``Any time you add Juan Gonzalez to the mix, it's a good thing,'' third baseman Aaron Boone said before the game. ``I think, as a team, we've started to play better. Hopefully he'll fit right in. It sounds like he's healthy and ready to go. Hopefully he can come in and be Juan Gonzalez.''

Desperate for a right-handed power hitter in their lineup, the Indians signed Gonzalez to a low-risk deal that protected the club in case he couldn't stay healthy. The Indians owe him just $600,000 for making their opening day roster, and Gonzalez can earn another $1.65 million in bonuses based on plate appearances and $300,000 more based on time on the active roster.

Ludwick is out of options so the Indians have 10 days to trade, release or place him on waivers.

``It's a timing thing,'' Shapiro said. ``He needs to play every day right now and hopefully he'll get to do that again at Buffalo or someone will give him a chance to.''

Shapiro wouldn't say whether Ludwick has been placed on waivers or if there has been any trade interest.

Ludwick, who has overcome two knee operations and surgery on his hip to get back to the majors, was rarely used by Wedge in recent weeks. Ludwick has had just one at-bat in the past seven games.

He's hitting .220 (9-for-41) with hour homers and five RBIs. AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this report.
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yahoo.com

6/1/05



<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Cleveland 4, Minnesota 3</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Preview - Box Score - Recap </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By DAVE CAMPBELL, AP Sports Writer
June 1, 2005

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - May 31, 11:01 pm EDT</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians climbed back to the .500 mark with some clutch hits, a fine performance from their ace starter and another close win over one of their AL Central competitors.

Victor Martinez's two-run homer broke a sixth-inning tie Tuesday night, lifting the Indians past the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on another wild night between the division rivals.

It began with the return, and rapid exit, of Indians slugger Juan Gonzalez. Out since spring training with a strained right hamstring, Gonzalez aggravated the injury while running out a grounder in his first at-bat and never made it to right field.

But Cleveland recovered, winning for the eighth time in 10 games -- and fourth in a row -- to begin an important, season-long 12-game road trip. The Indians play second-place Minnesota two more times before heading to division-leading Chicago for a weekend series. ``I think we're way better than .500,'' said C.C. Sabathia, who pitched into the eighth. ``I think we're going to win this division, and .500 ain't going to get it done.'' These clubs have exchanged their share of stares, shoves, trash talk and elbows -- plus plenty of inside pitches and hit batsmen -- since the century turned. Major League Baseball told both managers before their series in Cleveland last week that bad behavior would not be tolerated.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire got ejected again for arguing -- as he was during a game against the Indians at the Metrodome on May 5. This time, Gardenhire got mad when home plate umpire Bill Hohn warned both benches after starter Carlos Silva threw high in the sixth and Jody Gerut had to duck.



Sabathia (4-3), who fueled the mutual dislike earlier this season by saying he hated the Twins, threw inside to Shannon Stewart in the second inning -- drawing some boos from the crowd.

Stewart was fined for elbowing Cleveland reliever Jason Davis at home plate in that May 5 game, shortly after he was hit by a pitch from Davis. Davis has not been well-regarded in Minnesota since throwing at Torii Hunter in a July 2003 game here.

Gardenhire thought Sabathia was glaring at Juan Castro after his two-run double in the second gave the Twins a brief 2-1 lead. Stewart was buzzed after the hit by Castro, who said he wasn't looking at Sabathia.

``Somebody's going to have to tell me where we're going with this,'' Gardenhire said. ``When they try to drill us, which I know what happens with that guy, then it's going to have to come the other way. Look at how many of our guys have been hit to their guys. I don't have an answer. All I know is my wife is mad at me, because it's going to cost me more money.''

Gardenhire was fined $750 for throwing his hat in disgust after the May 5 ejection. After he got tossed on Tuesday, Gardenhire flipped his hat again on the way to the clubhouse.

Getting two outs in the eighth before walking Matthew LeCroy and yielding to Bob Howry, Sabathia gave up seven hits, three runs and two walks while striking out three -- his first victory in four starts against the Twins this season.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - May 31, 10:47 pm EDT</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The burly left-hander wasn't overpowering, but he consistently threw strikes and effectively used his changeup to keep the opposition off balance and swinging at the first pitch. Sabathia threw 95 pitches.

``If I can do that, I think I can pretty much beat anybody,'' he said.

Bob Wickman pitched the ninth for his 14th save in 16 opportunities, getting pinch-hitter Justin Morneau on a long flyout to center field with a runner on second.

``The guys are working hard to push in the right direction,'' manager Eric Wedge said.

Silva (3-3), who gave up just one earned run in his previous 17 innings, allowed nine hits, four runs and one walk without any strikeouts in seven innings.

A groundball pitcher who thrives on a powerful sinker, Silva got help from his infield defense -- especially second baseman Nick Punto. Cleveland hit into three of its four double plays with Silva pitching, but the long ball did him in.

Ben Broussard, 8-for-18 with five RBIs in his career against the right-hander, hit the first pitch of the fourth inning into the folded stacks of football seats above right field to tie the game at 2.

Then Martinez hit a two-out shot that traveled to just about the same spot, putting the Indians up 4-3.

``I feel like I tried to stay in,'' Silva said. ``I made a couple mistakes.''

The Twins started the fourth with consecutive singles, but Michael Cuddyer hit his first pitch into a double play.

``We need a better at-bat there,'' Gardenhire said.

<SMALL>Notes</SMALL> Castro drove in all three runs for Minnesota. ... Gonzalez's status is day to day. ... This was the 18th career ejection for Gardenhire, who is in his fourth season as a manager. ... Casey Blake replaced Gonzalez in the cleanup spot. He went 0-for-3. ... Twins starters have thrown six-plus innings in 20 of 21 outings.
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The Indians have now won 13 out of their last 20.
 
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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Hunter's Hits Help Twins Topple Tribe

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227088.jpg

Aaron Boone disagrees with a called strike three.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: Jun 1, 2005

Ben Broussard put Cleveland ahead with a two-run homer -- but the Indians could not stop Torii Hunter, who went 5-for-5 with a grand slam and six RBI to lead the Minnesota Twins to a 6-2 victory Wednesday night.
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Hunter turned a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead in the third inning with his fourth career grand slam as Minnesota broke the Indians' season-high winning streak at four games.

He got credit for a two-run double in the sixth when Tribe shortstop Jhonny Peralta and left fielder Jody Gerut let Hunter's fly ball fall between them with the bases loaded.

Cleveland left-hander Cliff Lee (6-3) gave up four earned runs and nine hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out six in his first loss after five wins on the road this season.

Twins right-hander Brad Radke (5-4) went seven strong. He gave up six hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Broussard hit a two-out, two-run homer in the first, his sixth of the season.

MINOR MATTERS

CLASS AAA BUFFALO (33-19) lost in 11 innings to visiting Toledo, 10-8, despite hitting four homers. Ryan Garko (.264) went 2-for-5, hitting two solo homers, his seventh and eighth of the season. Ernie Young (.314) hit a three run shot, his 14th and Jeff Liefer (.280) hit his ninth, also a three-run blast. Starter Steve Watkins (4.58 ERA) had his poorest outing of the season, allowing eight runs over four innings. Victor Kleine gave up three hits over four scoreless innings, but Jake Robbins (1-4, 3.54 ERA) allowed two runs over 2 1/3 innings before Andrew Brown (5.32 ERA) came on to strike out both batters he faced in the 11th.

CLASS A AKRON (29-22) won at Binghamton, 5-1, as Dan Denham (4-2, 2.98 ERA) allowed one run over six innings. The right-hander gave up three hits, three walks and struck out three. Chris Cooper (2.48 ERA) allowed two hits and struck out two over two innings and Travis Foley (5.87 ERA) yielded one hit and fanned one in one inning. Second baseman Eider Torres (.282) went 3-for-5 with one run and one RBI out of the leadoff spot. Pat Osborn (.253) went 2-for-3, Shaun Larkin (.189) 2-for-4, and Warren Morris (.077) 1-for-5 with two RBI for the Aeros.

CLASS A KINSTON (30-22) was postponed by rain in Wilmington.

CLASS A LAKE COUNTY (29-24) lost at Lexington, 6-3. Chris Gimenez (.193) went 2-for-3 with his sixth homer. Juan Valdes (.182) went 1-for-3 with his second homer for the Captains. Starter Tony Sipp (1.95 ERA) gave up three runs and five hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out six. Michael Hernandez (1.82 ERA) pitched two scoreless innings, but Scott Roehl (2-3, 3.09 ERA) allowed three runs, two of them earned, in the bottom of the eighth inning.



<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Indians Fall In 13, Strike Out 18 Times

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227325.jpg

Coco Crisp watches his fourth-inning homer.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: Jun 2, 2005

Coco Crisp and Victor Martinez hit homers, but the Indians struck out 18 times and lost in 13 innings in Minnesota to the Twins, 4-3, Thursday afternoon. Both homers and 14 of the strikeouts came against Twins starter Johan Santana.
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Indians starter Scott Elarton gave up three runs and five hits over seven innings, but was unhappy at failing to hold an early lead.

"I was in a position to do better than I did," Elarton told reporters. "That's the disappointing thing."

The Indians scored twice in the first inning. Martinez put Cleveland ahead with his fifth homer -- and third in five games. Then Ben Broussard tripled and scored on a single by Ronnie Belliard.

The Indians got only one more hit off Santana -- Crisp's fourth homer in the fourth that made it 3-1.

Crisp was activated from the 15-day disabled list before the game and showed little effects of the strained right thumb that originally was expected to sideline him until August. Juan Gonzalez went back on the Indians' disabled list with a strained right hamstring.

The Twins tied it and then Bob Howry, Scott Sauerbeck, Matt Miller and Arthur Rhodes combined to limited Minnesota to two hits over five scoreless innings.

Lew Ford hustled his way to a one-out double off Rafael Betancourt (1-2) in the bottom of the 13th and scored on a two-out single by Jacque Jones.

Jody Gerut hit leadoff and went-0-for-5, but was the only Cleveland batter not to strike out against Santana. He did fan against J.C. Romero in the 13th. Broussard went 1-for-5 and is hitting .359 (14-for-39) in 10 games as the cleanup hitter -- including .379 (11-for-29) with three homers, four doubles and a triple in his last seven.

MINOR MATTERS

CLASS AAA BUFFALO (34-19) routed visiting Toledo, 13-1, as catcher Dusty Wathan had a career day -- hitting three homers and driving in nine runs. Wathan (.277) hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning, a three-run shot in the fifth and a grand slam in the eighth. Brandon Phillips (.250), Mike Kinkade (.292), Ernie Young (.319) and Jake Thrower (.228) each had two of the Bisons' 15 hits. Francisco Cruceta (5-1, 4.75 ERA) gave up one run over five innings. He allowed five hits and three walks, striking out six. Kenny Rayborn (4.46 ERA) and Fernando Cabrera (0.87 ERA) each pitched two scoreless innings. Rayborn allowed two hits and struck out four. Cabrera allowed only one walk and fanned one.

CLASS A AKRON (30-22) got a first-inning grand slam from Jason Cooper and went on to win at Binghamton, 12-9. Cooper (.242) went 1-for-3 with his 11th homer and scored three runs. Shaun Larkin (.224) went 3-for-5, hit his first homer and drove in three runs and Pat Osborn (.257) went 2-for-5 with his third homer. Eider Torres (.286) went 2-for-5 and scored three runs and Ben Francisco (.280) also went 2-for-5. Fausto Carmona (4-4, 3.89 ERA) allowed five runs and 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out five. Steve Green (3.77) worked a scoreless 1 1/3 innings, but Kyle Evans (5.73 ERA) gave up four runs over one inning before Todd Pennington (4.15 ERA) pitched a scoreless ninth for his ninth save.

CLASS A KINSTON (30-23) got only five hits and lost at Frederick, 8-4. Ryan Mulhern (.305), who had been sidelined with a broken jaw, hit his eighth homer, a two-run shot and Nate Panther (.286) went 2-for-4 for the K-Tribe. Nick Pesco (6-4, 3.45 ERA) gave up six runs and 11 hits over 5 1/3 innings. He didn't walk anybody and struck out four. Matt Davis (5.61 ERA) allowed two runs over 1 2/3 innings before Dan Eisentrager (6.51 ERA) pitched one scoreless inning.

CLASS A LAKE COUNTY (29-25) got five hits and was shut out in Lexington, 3-0. Brian Barton (.373) went 3-for-4 for the Captains. Aaron Laffey (4-2, 2.72 ERA) gave up three runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings. Brandon Rickert (3.72 ERA) struck out three over 2 2/3 scoreless innings.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Single Life Does In Indians' Westbrook

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Coco Crisp, congratulated on his three-run homer.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: Jun 4, 2005

Coco Crisp hit a three-run homer, but it couldn't trump the 10 singles Chicago accumulated against Jake Westbrook as the Indians lost to the White Sox, 6-4, Friday night
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The White Sox hit six singles in the first inning to take a 4-0 lead against Westbrook (2-8). One of the key hits was a sharp RBI single by Aaron Rowand past shortstop Alex Cora with the infield playing in.

"It was a ball hit pretty hard and it just kind of short-hopped him a little bit," manager Eric Wedge told reporters, who asked why the infield was in.

"We haven't done much in terms of scoring runs, we have a guy (Westbrook) that can get the ball on the ground and we just don't want to give them a run," Wedge explained. Instead, Chicago got four as Carl Everett, Jermaine Dye and Juan Uribe added RBI singles in the inning.

Cleveland managed seven hits total off Orlando Hernandez (6-1) and two Chicago relievers. Hernandez came off the disabled and won for the first time since May 11. The veteran right-hander had not pitched since May 17 because of a sore shoulder. He gave up four runs and six hits over six innings and also hit four batters with pitches -- Ben Broussard, Cora and Travis Hafner twice.

Westbrook gave up six runs and 11 hits -- 10 of them singles -- over seven innings. In a curious move after the game, the Indians optioned left-hander Brian Tallet to Triple-A and announced they would call up right-hander Jason Davis to start Saturday's game. Tallet was called up from the Bisons on May 26 -- but didn't make a pitch for Cleveland.

MINOR MATTERS

CLASS AAA BUFFALO (34-20) lost at home to Columbus as the Clippers used an eight-run fifth inning to overcome a 5-1 deficit and go on to win, 10-7. The Clippers' big inning defies description as Kazuhito Tadano (2-1, 4.37 ERA) was sailing along and then in succession, gave up:
a homer,
single,
walk,
single,
homer,
homer,
homer,
before being replaced by Andrew Brown -- who promptly gave up ANOTHER HOMER!

Andy Abad (.277) went 2-for-4, hit his 11th homer, a solo shot, and drove in four runs to lead the Bisons. Dusty Wathan (.287), who came into this season with 39 career homers in nearly 2,500 at-bats, hit his ninth of the year and fourth in two days and also went 2-for-4. Mike Kinkade (.291) also hit his ninth homer, while Ernie Young (.323) and John Rodriguez (.245) both went 2-for-4.

CLASS A AKRON (31-22) defeated visiting Bowie, 5-3. J.D. Martin (2-0, 2.12) looked sharp in his second outing since being on the disabled list with a sore elbow. The right-hander displayed a good curve and fastball in striking out six over five innings. He allowed two runs on four hits and two walks. Travis Thompson (1.12 ERA) pitched two hitless innings, Chris Cooper (2.40 ERA) worked a scoreless eighth and Todd Pennington (4.42 ERA) gave up one run in the ninth, but got his ninth save. Ben Francisco (.345) went 3-for-4 and scored twice, Scott Youngbauer (.218) drove in two runs and went 2-for-3 and Ivan Ochoa (.234) had a two-run single for the Aeros.

CLASS A KINSTON (30-23) was postponed by rain in Frederick, Md.

CLASS A LAKE COUNTY (30-25) scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth and defeated Delmarva, 10-6. Fernando Pacheco (.282) hit his sixth homer, a solo shot, in the eighth and went 2-for-4 while Juan Valdes (.187) hit a two-run homer, his third, in the fifth. Argenis Reyes (.294) went 3-for-5 and scored twice, Brian Barton (.388) went 3-for-5 with two RBI and Josh Noviskey (.241) drove in three runs for the Captains. Starter Chris Niesel (4.29 ERA) gave up one run over five innings and T.J. Burton (4.75 ERA) gave up three unearned runs over one inning. Adrian Schau (3-4, 6.23 ERA) allowed two runs over two innings and was the winner as Scott Roehl (2.73 ERA) pitched a scoreless ninth.

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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Indians Scratch Out 12-Inning Triumph

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Coco Crisp is all smiles after his two-run homer.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: Jun 5, 2005

First, the Indians sacrificed Eddie Murray and on Sunday they had Victor Martinez try a sacrifice bunt. The importance of Murray's firing remains to be seen, but Martinez's bunt led to a costly error by Chicago pitcher Dustin Hermanson as Cleveland rallied to defeat the White Sox in 12 innings, 6-4.
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Martinez, who has not put down a successful sacrifice bunt since 2000 when he was at Class A Kinston, was asked to try by manager Eric Wedge with two on and nobody out in the top of the 12th. Hermanson, who had walked Grady Sizemore and Coco Crisp, tried for the lead runner at third, but made a wild throw that enabled Sizemore to score.

"In that situation, I felt like it was a good time to switch it up and try something different,'' Wedge told reporters. "Victor is a guy who can control the bat and I felt like he could do it."

After Travis Hafner was intentionally walked to load the bases, Ben Broussard struck out, but Ron Belliard hit a sacrifice fly to make it 6-4.

Hafner homered in the 10th inning, Crisp had a two-run shot in the fourth and Aaron Boone had a season-high three hits for Cleveland.

Hafner's homer put Cleveland ahead 4-3, but Frank Thomas homered off Cleveland closer Bob Wickman in the bottom half to extend the game a little longer.

Crisp's sixth homer -- and third since being activated earlier in the week from the disabled list, came after a single by Sizemore and put Cleveland ahead 2-0 against Chicago starter Mark Buehrle.

Sizemore singled home a run in the fifth to make it 3-1.

Indians starter C.C. Sabathia allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings, but Rafael Betancourt gave up homer to Tadahito Iguchi in the seventh to tie it at 3.

David Riske (2-2) pitched two scoreless innings for the win.

NOTABLE: Derek Shelton joined the Indians as the interim hitting coach. He was the organizational hitting coordinator and has replaced Murray, who was fired. Before the game, Wedge held a team meeting. "Some things are within your control and some things are beyond your control, but it's about the players,'' Wedge told The Associated Press when asked about what was discussed. "I trust in the character and the strength of these players. Right along with that, I trust their abilities. We're going to be fine."

MINOR MATTERS

CLASS AAA BUFFALO (35-21) couldn't get in position for a chance at a game-winning field goal and lost to visiting Columbus, 14-12, as pitching took a holiday. For the second time this week, the Clippers hit the Bisons with an eight-run inning -- taking an 8-2 lead in the fourth. Billy Traber (1-1, 3.97) gave up nine hits and seven runs over 3 2/3 innings, though only four of the runs were earned. He left after giving up a three-run homer and Kenny Rayborn (4.91 ERA) came on and served up a homer to the first man he faced. Rayborn allowed four runs (three earned) and six hits over 2 1/3 innings. Victor Kleine (2.70 ERA) yielded three more runs over two innings before Fernando Cabrera (0.84 ERA) pitched a scoreless ninth.

Jake Gautreau (.296) had five of Buffalo's 16 hits. He went 5-for-6 with two doubles, scored four times and drove in two runs. Ernie Young (.328) went 3-for-5 with two RBI, John Rodriguez (.251) 2-for-4 and with two runs, Brandon Phillips (.261) 2-for-5 with two runs and one RBI and Mike Kinkade (.295) 2-for-6 with a run and RBI. Ryan Ludwick, outrighted to Buffalo earlier in the week, played his second game for the Bisons and went 1-for-3 to improve his average to .286 (2-for-7) as he played center field.

CLASS A AKRON (32-23) defeated visiting Bowie, 6-3. Brian Slocum (4-3, 4.06 ERA) struck out without a walk over six innings. He allowed two runs on seven hits, one of them a homer. Travis Foley (5.51 ERA) pitched two perfect innings and Steve Green (3.82 ERA) allowed one run on four hits over the final two innings, striking out three. Jose Morban (.244) got two of Akron's nine hits. Shaun Larkin (.227) hit his first homer while Eider Torres (.287), Jason Cooper (.241) and Pat Osborn (.253) each had one hit, one run and one RBI.

CLASS A KINSTON (31-24) was clobbered at Frederick, 9-2. Sean Smith (1-3, 3.59 ERA) gave up eight runs on nine hits and four walks over five innings, though only four runs were earned. Dan Eisentrager (6.07 ERA) struck out four over two scoreless innings and Jim Ed Warden (6.88 ERA) gave up a homer in one inning of work. Kinston got only five hits. Anthony Lunetta (.250) hit his third homer and Dave Wallace (.185) hit his fifth.

CLASS A LAKE COUNTY (32-25) defeated Delmarva 7-3 as the Captains welcomed their one millionth fan into Classic Ballpark. The Captains, now in their third season in Eastlake, Ohio, totaled 13 hits as Brian Barton (.414) went 3-for-4 with a run and RBI and Chad Longworth (.262) 2-for-4 with his sixth homer and two RBI. Juan Valdes (.205) went 2-for-3, while Argenis Reyes (.303) and Brian Finegan (.255) were both 2-for-5 for Lake County. Reid Santos (2-3, 5.97 ERA) gave up three runs on six hits over seven innings. Scott Roehl (2.57 ERA) finished with two scoreless innings.
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Let's hope for the Tribe's sake (and my fantasy team's as well since I currently feature Sizemore and Victor) that he can do a little more with the team's bats then Eddie Murray did. Sizemore's two best years in the minors came under Shelton's eye, so hopefully this is a step in the right direction for the Tribe's offense.

Let's be honest...this club is lucky to 26-29 and in 4th at this point. With Victor finally showing signs of life but still hitting only .209, Boone hitting .160, and Casey hitting .194, this team could be in a lot worse shape right now. I hope this is the start of a good run going into the break for the Tribe...
 
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