Cleveland Indians @ Toronto Blue Jays GameThread, Aug 10, 2008 1:07 PM EDT

Game Thread: August 10, 2008

by Ryan on Aug 11, 2008 5:25 PM EDT in Game Threads Comment 121 comments

Cleveland Indians @ Toronto Blue Jays

Cleveland at Toronto, 1:07 (STO)

0 recs | Comment 121 comments

Comments

Olney in his blog today mentions that at least one team has expressed interest in Byrd. Also mentions he’d be a good fit for the Yankees, Mets, and ahem, the White Sox.

I keep thinking that the Marlins wouldn’t be a bad fit… I know they’re supposed to get Anibel Sanchez back and I believe the Volstad kid is supposed to now slot in the rotation behind Olsen and Nolasco, but they’ve wasted about 40 starts of a cumulative 5.75 ERA on Mark Hendrickson and Andrew Miller.

by cheech99 on Aug 10, 2008 12:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just read Wakefield went down too, maybe Boston will be interested?

LGT's resident beer connaisseur.

by LGT Patrick on Aug 10, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Masterson, Colon. I think they are deep enough. How long is Wake out?

How bad is Bucholz by the way?

by mjschaefer on Aug 10, 2008 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, you are right. I am not a fan of any of their pitching. I am not basing this off any stats, but it seems like they all get a crapload of run support and get a lot of W’s.

LGT's resident beer connaisseur.

by LGT Patrick on Aug 10, 2008 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My internet is finally fixed

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 1:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Grady with the wheels

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 1:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that was quick

by ASP on Aug 10, 2008 1:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

LGT's resident beer connaisseur.

by LGT Patrick on Aug 10, 2008 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jhonny is looking trimmer of late

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

running around those bases so much will do that

by APV on Aug 10, 2008 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Parrish warming up for the Jays already

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 1:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice, didn’t realize Cliff was going today

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 1:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Add “Slider Speed Bat” to that worst 3 words thread

by SanD on Aug 10, 2008 1:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I feel like the long Blue Jays poster

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

*lone

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty good baserunning from the Tribe this game so far

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cliff living dangerously

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 1:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

throwing a lot of strikes

by APV on Aug 10, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, they are hitting it right at our defense

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rod Barajas. Amazing he is still around.

by mjschaefer on Aug 10, 2008 1:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Is this the place where Cliff threw his glove into the stands? I want to say it is.

by mjschaefer on Aug 10, 2008 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Same spot for the Choo man

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Long single for Garks

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 1:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

40 pitches, 35 for strikes

by APV on Aug 10, 2008 2:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

BIg picture

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 2:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Marte and the road to .200

by APV on Aug 10, 2008 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bummer for the Blue Jays that Marcum got hurt for so long. Gosh was he having an awesome season.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking about him the other day. Maybe he was the best pitcher the Indians faced? Who else? Blackburn, Gallaraga?

by odradek on Aug 10, 2008 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good thought, that may be the best pitching against I’ve seen this year.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sanchedz looked pretty awesome for the Giants. Volquez too.

by odradek on Aug 10, 2008 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marte with a hit. This place didn’t go crazy.

by mjschaefer on Aug 10, 2008 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, it’s getting old hat, you know.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hah. I’m holding out hope he goes on a tear.

by mjschaefer on Aug 10, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don’tbuntdon’tbuntdon’tbunt

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How often has Grady bunted?

by mjschaefer on Aug 10, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For singles, a fair bit. I can’t remember too many sacrifices.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Station to station. That’s my kind of double play.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmm…maybe wished he had bunted

by APV on Aug 10, 2008 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t mind his drag bunt. But in that situation, with a 3-0 lead and Clifford on the mound, I’m cool with Grady swinging away. Grady hitting into a double play is something you can’t anticipate.

by xrickx on Aug 10, 2008 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Announcers say its only his fourth. He’s no Jeter.

by mjschaefer on Aug 10, 2008 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone else hate their MI?

by mjschaefer on Aug 10, 2008 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Kelly, that was a very cathartic strikeout.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Shoppach is just wailing the last few games…

by xrickx on Aug 10, 2008 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That’s pretty bad.

by mjschaefer on Aug 10, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I really don’t think that guy knows where the ball’s going right now, but I think Kelly could’ve taken a few in an innning with two HBPs.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s got 80 strikeouts in 225 ABs. His approach has nothing to do with taking pitches or cutting down his swing. His whole minor league career suggests he can strikeout a ton and still hit for big power and draw a fair number of walks. If that translates to the Bigs like it has this year, he’s still a top-15 catcher.

by xrickx on Aug 10, 2008 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

With that being said, yea….he’s lost right now.

by xrickx on Aug 10, 2008 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I flippin love Kelly Shoppach. Just a terrible approach in that AB. When the pitcher has hit two of the last three batters, you don’t help him out. That’s all.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. And I love Shoppach too. The definite second-best bright spot (Cliff Lee) of 2008.

by xrickx on Aug 10, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh man, Adam Lind. He who shall live in marginal nicknaming infamy.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Geez, Andy. Throwing a strike from deep in the hole on one leg is very Not Casey Blake.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:17 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

rec

by APV on Aug 10, 2008 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, seriously, from the position he threw that, I was looking for a Barfield-esque flier into the seats. Instead Garko didn’t even have to flinch. I dig good arms.

Feel free to rec that also.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quadzilla made an appearance again today.

by Toxicadam on Aug 10, 2008 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Same spot for Choo

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice Choo.

by Matt Y. on Aug 10, 2008 2:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

En fuego.

by xrickx on Aug 10, 2008 2:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Have they changed Frank’s stance, you think? He looks a little more coiled at the plate than he used to. My imagination?

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

His swing has always seemed very mechanical to me

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn’t know good from bad. He just looks lower, turned further at the shoulders, weight a little further back…wound tight, you know?

Part of me wishes they had never tinkered with Frank, and just left the power stroke. But my more rational side wonders if he’d have ever made it this far if they didn’t retool him.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can definitely tell a hitting coach has had his way with Frank. Hard to say how he would have turned out if they left it

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Was that f’ing Joe Inglett?

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Scutaro, Worse. What is it with Toronto and former Indian UT-INFs?

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

baaaaaahahahaha Cliff Lee shows you what you can do with your bunts.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I mean really, they could potentially have an infield with Scutaro, McDonald, Inglett, and Luna. That’s a little amazing.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s why they were 59-56 before they ran into the Indians’ buzzsaw.

by odradek on Aug 10, 2008 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice play to get the lead runner.

Free at last! Free at last! Andy Marte is free at last!

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Aug 10, 2008 2:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

closer and closer to .200

by APV on Aug 10, 2008 2:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought I was watching a replay of the previous AB. It landed in almost the exact same spot.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Big picture!

by APV on Aug 10, 2008 2:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

OKay! Let’s try this again, Grady.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who the hell is that in right? What a cannon. I thought Rios was the big arm in that outfield.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

should we be worried about Cliff’s lack of K’s the past 2 games?

by ASP on Aug 10, 2008 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cliff says nah

by ASP on Aug 10, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

76 pitches through 6 innings, 65 of them for strikes…no

by APV on Aug 10, 2008 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The whiff

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ZZ

At least Kelly made contact with this bat.

Free at last! Free at last! Andy Marte is free at last!

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Aug 10, 2008 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’d pitch around Choo if I were the Jays

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

NM, looked pretty bad against the lefty there

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do the Jays ever hit singles to the outfield?

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 3:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Blue Jays Offense:

Infield Single, Infield Single, Infield Single
Sacrifice Fly to warning track
???
Profit

by Toxicadam on Aug 10, 2008 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

???? = bunt

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Remember the whole Grady is overrated in center argument from last year? I think this season has put that to rest

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 3:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

To the extent that he never would have won a Gold Glove if it weren’t for his bat, I think it’s accurate to say that Grady’s over-rated. But it’s not an either-or situation. Grady can be somewhat over-rated and still very, very good.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

FREE BYRD

by Toxicadam on Aug 10, 2008 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Garko, you’re still not out of MY doghouse yet. hmph

by Toxicadam on Aug 10, 2008 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well hot damn with relish. A Garko LD single and a Gutierrez BB.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He missed that pitch by a foot

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and then the next pitch as well

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Andy needs to have a bp pitcher throw him nothing but breaking balls all winter. Every day.

Free at last! Free at last! Andy Marte is free at last!

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Aug 10, 2008 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Andy, that was a John Edwards’s political future-esque failure of an at-bat.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

haha

by Matt Y. on Aug 10, 2008 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just got here, quick rundown?

by bogey021 on Aug 10, 2008 3:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lee is throwing only strikes, BLue Jays are hitting it right to our defense. Choo had 3 doubles to the exact same spot. Winning 4-0

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, you know it’s probably been a boring game when there is only 1 video highlight available on Gameday.

by bogey021 on Aug 10, 2008 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good try A-Cab.

by Matt Y. on Aug 10, 2008 3:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Skinner? What the heck

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 3:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, one extra run.

by Matt Y. on Aug 10, 2008 3:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Trying to score from first on a single? What’s Gameday not telling me?

by bogey021 on Aug 10, 2008 3:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rios bobbled the ball.

by Matt Y. on Aug 10, 2008 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perez? Again? Are we trying to stretch his arm, or is this just a show of faith to the starters—we’ll use our best high-leverage guy to protect your leads?

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 3:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Because he’s super-awesome, I guess.

by SuddenSam on Aug 10, 2008 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

by Roger Dorn on Aug 10, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice job Raffy P. Ballgame.

by bogey021 on Aug 10, 2008 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Strikes out the side!

by Matt Y. on Aug 10, 2008 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

1) Great game by Lee.

2) Dellucci and Choo, please stay hot.

3) Joel Skinner is frickin nuts.

by xrickx on Aug 10, 2008 3:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lee back in the ERA lead (2.45).

by SuddenSam on Aug 10, 2008 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Theme of this game…

Cliff Lee to the Blue Jays: “I do not believe you can hit. Prove me wrong.”

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think this may be exactly the conclusion Clifton came to in the off season when he got his mind right.

And why not? It’s hard to hit a baseball, and even when you do someone might catch it. If you have any kind of stuff, you can be very good with this approach. If not, you can still be Paul Byrd.

by SuddenSam on Aug 10, 2008 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Byrd influenced Lee. Cliff saw how Byrd pitched last year.

by odradek on Aug 10, 2008 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

23% of our wins come from shutouts.

1) Our starting pitchers are awesome.
2) We don’t have many wins.

by Toxicadam on Aug 10, 2008 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cliff Lee spares us: Our playoff chances remain mathematically extant for another day.

by fleerdon on Aug 10, 2008 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

31% of our wins come from the indomitable Clifton Lee…highest in the bigs

by DontCallMeJoey on Aug 10, 2008 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m too dumb to figure it out. How many starts does Cliff have left? 7 or 8?

by Toxicadam on Aug 10, 2008 4:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Plain Dealer says ten.

by odradek on Aug 10, 2008 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The redoubtable Paul Hoynes: “The Indians have not had a 20-game winner since Gaylord Perry went 21-13 in 1974. Lee, if he stays healthy, has at least 10 starts left.”

by odradek on Aug 10, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cool, thanks.

I expect 24 wins. :)

by Toxicadam on Aug 10, 2008 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Paul Hoynes can’t count. The only way Lee gets 10 starts is if he pitches at least one on short rest, thanks to an off day on Sept. 4, which would be his regular day. Nine looks more likely.

by FredOx on Aug 11, 2008 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess in Hoynes’ world, it’s important for the Indians to cram another start in there so CL can get 20 wins. And the hell with 2009.

by odradek on Aug 11, 2008 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Funny, first time I counted, I got 10. But it obviously is nine—maybe Hoynes was (or I was) counting yesterday’s game.

He would have to start on short rest twice in order to get in ten more starts, because of the way the off-days line up. They obviously are not going to do that. What they will do instead is line it up to have Cliff make his 32nd start on the last day of the season, which will not be hard to do.

by Jay on Aug 11, 2008 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs