Tribe Returns Home

Tonight, the Cleveland Indians begin a 6-game homestand versus division rivals the Royals and the Tigers.  It seems as if we’ve been on the road all season, so it’s nice that the Indians will have home court this week.  One thing I will be looking for are some bigger crowds.  I know Clevelanders are hesitant, but everyone needs to support this team!   Especially against AL Central rivals.  

Speaking of division rivals, that Twins series wasn’t something to remember.  With the rainout (Game 1), the blowout (Game 2), and the heartbreaker (Game 3), I think Monday’s day off and Tuesday’s return to Cleveland couldn’t have come at a better time.  What this team needs to continue to believe is that they are a good baseball club, more than capable of hanging with the so called “big dogs”.  It’s that confidence and hunger to succeed that could take this team far.  
Despite 3-game skid, the Cleveland Indians have managed to maintain a 1.5 game lead in the division.  However, it allowed the hot Detroit Tigers to climb up the standings a bit and move into a tie with KC in 2nd Place.  
Point is:  We have to win in our division.  It’s the key to any team’s success. 

Tribe and Royals Split, Rain Delay Tonight

Well, going into the series, I said I’d be happy with a split.  And that is exactly what happened.  However, that series finale was a tough one to swallow.  I really thought Chris Perez was going to find a way to Houdini out of that one.  But alas, he is a human being and the Indians were forced to be content with 2 our of 4.

But even in their losses, the Tribe only lost by a run in each of them, which says something.  This team has fight.  
I was bummed that the Twins series opener was rained out tonight.  I was really looking forward to some baseball this evening (having not been able to properly watch the last couple games due to work).  
Ah well, tomorrow is another day.  Go Tribe.

Game 16 & 17 – Heading to KC, The Battle for First

Game 1 of this four game series against the two teams battling for the top spot in the AL Central ended as one might expect:  in extra innings.  Fortunately for the Tribe, they came out on the better end of the score, after putting across 4 runs in the top of the 10th, to put the Royals away for good.  

What I liked most from that game was that the Tribe trailed and were able to battle back.  Most of their wins so far this season, the Tribe have never had to come back from a deficit.  It was nice to see that they have that in them.  Oh, and Shelley Duncan, you are a pinch-hitting machine.  My goodness.
Game 2 of the serious felt similar, however, with a different outcome.  Bruce Chen was fantastic, and the Indians had a hard time figuring him out.  The Royals were up 5-0 before the Indians were able to get involved late.  
Down 5-3 going into the 9th, Cleveland was able to push one more across on the Shin Soo Choo bases loaded walk.  At that point, it was all up to the ice cold Carlos Santana.   He watched three pitches go by.  Oh, and they were all strikes.  Can’t hit if you don’t swing, Carlos.  
Now, I know he’ll come around.  He’s got the talent, no doubt.  But I think Manny Acta should consider dropping him down in the lineup a bit and giving Travis Hafner the #4 spot in the order.  I feel if Pronk is up in that situation, the Tribe wins the game.  
Anyhow, the Indians still have a hold of first all by themselves in the AL Central, with the Royals a game back.  Game 3 of the series is tomorrow night, 8:05 ET.
Go Tribe

Game 14 & 15 – Tribe Sweep, Sizemore Returns

The Tribe have improved to 11-4 on the year with the completion of their 3 game sweep against the Baltimore Orioles before they hit the road again to take on the 2nd place Kansas City Royals.

The highlight of the series though, was the return of Cleveland favorite, Grady Sizemore.  Boy did he come back in fashion.  2-4 with a homer and double.  We missed ya Grady.  

Game 13: Back Home Strong

This was a big game for the Indians.  They needed to come back home and show a (little) more optimistic crowd that they were serious about this season.  And they did just that.   Cleveland was mashing yet again.

Travis Hafner blasted his 3rd shot of the early season, in convincing fashion.  And Justin Masterson continued his strong start of the 2011 campaign.
I wasn’t able to catch this game live unfortunately, so I don’t have too much to say.  I’m just pleased with the “W”.  This team has some serious drive.  The AL Central might just be a 5 horse race the whole way through.  It’s going to be a fun year.

Game 12: Fall to Halos in extras, lose series

Well, I blame you Chad Durbin.  You just didn’t have your stuff tonight.  Indians fought back late down 3-1, and were able to push two across to send this into overtime, but a wild pitch from Chad Durbin put a runner at third with less than 2 outs and that’s all she wrote.  

Also, I don’t agree with the two pitch outs in the inning.  Durbin was already throwing erratically. He couldn’t afford anymore balls.  
That one was frustrating.  
Day off tomorrow, Tribe needs to refocus for the brief home stand, and Clevelanders need to go and support this team.

Game 11: Streak Ends, Carmona strong

Well, the 8 game streak was a blast, but I’m no fool.  It was bound to end eventually, and what better way to lose your first game in a while than an OUTSTANDING pitching performance from the opposing side.  And in this case, Dan Haren.

He was remarkable on the bump.  Only walked a few, and his only hit came off the bat of Shin Soo Choo.  And that was it.  One hit complete game shut-out for Dan Haren.
But not all is awful, as the Indians ace Fausto Carmona was impressive yet again for the 2nd straight start.  He cruised through 7.2 innings of work, with his only mistakes leading to two solo shots off the bats of Peter Bourjos, and Mark Trumbo.
As a fan, you have to like seeing your pitcher stay tough and competitive.  2 earned runs is nothing, and more often than not you win those ball games.  Unfortunately for the Indians, they weren’t able to figure out Haren at all, and the paid for it with their first loss in over a week.
Tomorrow will be interesting.  I really want to see how the Tribe will respond to this loss.  Hopefully they keep their composure and their confidence.  They are, after all, still atop the AL Central.  Go Tribe.

Game 10: The Mitch Talbot Show

My goodness did Mitch Talbot pitch well tonight in Anaheim.  He had it all working tonight.  He was efficient with his pitches, got the strike outs when he needed them, and kept the baseball in the yard.  The second time through the rotation, the Cleveland Indians staff has been fantastic.  

The Angels countered with 21 year old Tyler Chatwood, making his MLB debut.  He wasn’t awful, but had trouble finding the plate at times, and when he did he left pitches right over it.  Asdrubal Cabrera took advantage early, belting his 3rd home run in 4 games, as did Matt LaPorta who hit an opposite field  3-run shot to right in the 2nd inning.
As it turned out, Cabrera’s would have been enough, as Mitch Talbot went 8 innings without giving up a run.  In fact, he was given the opportunity to get the CG shutout, but when Bobby Abreu lead off with a double, manager Manny Acta turned to the bullpen.
Vinnie Pestano did his job.  Angels weren’t able to score Abreu, and the shutout was intact.
In addition to the win, Michael Brantley and Travis Hafner were both able to extended their hitting streaks.  I believe Brantley’s is at 10, and Hafner’s is currently at 8 games.  I need to double check… but hey, this is a blog and I’m not getting paid, so it works for now.  I’ll correct if I’m wrong in another post.
Game 2 of the series tomorrow night at 10:05 ET.  Let’s keep rolling Tribe.

Game 9: Indians sweep the M’s

7 straight victories.  

I remember watching that first game not so long ago, and despite the poor outing from Carmona, I still loved what I saw from the Tribe bats, making it at the very least respectable at the end there.  I just knew that this team had the gusto to battle and not roll over and die.
So with that, after two losses to start the 2011 campaign, the Cleveland Indians have sole possession of the AL Central top spot with a record of 7-2.  They’ve been playing some great baseball.
Today, they got the bats going early, scoring in each of the first 4 innings.  Give credit to the Mariners though, making a late surge in the 7th inning when the bullpen had it’s first real predicament of the young 2011 season.
Side note:  Love the long ball action the Tribe have been touting so far.  Asdrubal Cabrera belted his 3rd of the year, and Hannahan hit his 2nd.   Also, Michael Brantley extended his hit streak to 8 games.
Indians head south, but stay out west to take on the Angels tomorrow night at 10:05PM ET.

Manny Ramirez , my thoughts

I just realized I never commented on the shocking Manny Ramirez announcement yesterday, and all I can really say is that it is just a shame.  I adored Manny when he was in Cleveland, and I feared him when he was with the Red Sox.  He was one of the greatest hitters I’ve ever been able to witness play in person.  

He’s also a cheater.  
It’s a hard thing to say, simply because I really did love the guy as a player.  Watching him swing the bat as a young kid in Ohio was just fun.  He was awe-inspiring.  
And he’s a cheater.  
His chances at the Hall were already severely questionable, and this seemingly out-of-nowhere retirement announcement to avoid another possible suspension all but seals his fate as a non-Hall of Famer.  Manny being Manny, I guess.
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