Game 37: Rays 8, Indians 7
by Ryan on May 16, 2009 12:01 AM EDT
in Game Threads
Email
PrintIs it already cliché to say this bullpen has set a new low? Although blowing a 7-0 lead, after many other blown leads, doesn't seem as big an outrage as it normally would. You expect this sort of thing from this group.
The whole thing was set up by the starter not being able to get through six innings. Anthony Reyes was perfect his first time through the Rays order, but Tampa Bay hitters caught onto him the second time around. The inning after the Indians built their lead to 7-0, Reyes gave up a leadoff double to B.J. Upton, and eventually three runs. Reyes would stay in the game for another couple innings, but what looked like a blowout turned into a winnable game in that bottom of the fourth, given what the Rays hitters were going to face after Reyes left the game.
Because Reyes couldn't finish the sixth, the Indians were for the rest of the game chasing those extra two outs. Tony Sipp only pitched to one batter, and he walked him. Jensen Lewis finished the sixth, but ran into trouble in the seventh. Rafael Betancourt got out of the jam Lewis created in that inning, but gave up the tying home run in the eighth. The funny (pathetic funny, not ha-ha funny) thing is that normally a team will throw their worst relievers into the ballgame to protect a big lead, and call in their best if the game got too close, while the Indians did the opposite, sending their "best" into the game and when they failed, brought in Luis Vizcaino, a just-signed free agent to pitch the bottom of the ninth of a tie game. The result was predictable.
There's some very nice things happening with the club, especially with the position players. Even the rotation has been (I think) a lot better than it could have been. But the bullpen has turned what could be a decent team into what you currently see in the standings.
Next Up: Pavano vs. Garza, 4:10 PM
| Highest WPA | Lowest WPA | ||
| Shin-Soo Choo | .152 | Luis Vizcaino | -.357 |
| Rafael Betancourt | .064 | Jensen Lewis | -.241 |
| Grady Sizemore | .044 | Matt LaPorta | -.163 |
40 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Great picture. What kind of person becomes an umpire?
I’ve got to admit I admired how the Rays fought back. They didn’t give up. They took advantage of every opportunity we gave them. They kept chipping away. In short, the Rays were the kind of team we used to be.
If you believe it's just a game, you're probably wondering why Santa keeps skipping your house every year.
why would you ever give up period, let alone, against a team with a bad bullpen.
by world dictator on May 16, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions
That blown call really came back to get us. That said, has there ever been a bullpen this bad?
I become an expert simply by doing something.
I can’t help but wonder if the new bullpen coach, Chuck Hernandez, has anything to do with the meltdown this year… How much longer will he last?
If you believe it's just a game, you're also probably wondering why Santa keeps skipping your house every year.
by LeftyCatcher on May 16, 2009 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I mean, it’s the freakin’ bullpen coach. He’s basically a glorified secretary out there.
Wedge (on phone): Get Jensen Up.
Chuck (on phone): Got it.
Chuck: Jensen, start warming. Try not to suck.
fin.
More like this:
Wedge (on phone): Get Jensen up.
Chuck (on phone): Who? Wait a minute. Lewis! Call for you.
Wedge (on phone): No, damn it. Have him start throwing.
Lewis (on phone): Hey, Eric. What’s up?
by odradek on May 16, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Chuck (later): What did that guy want?
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on May 16, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess I’m a minority opinion, but I would have let Reyes try to complete the sixth.
He hasn’t been great, or even very good, but he’s battled enough to leave games FOUR different times with leads. He’s only gotten credit for one win and three no decisions. He was at eighty pitches. I would have tried to squeeze two more outs out of him. I mean what the heck? He either loses the game himself, comes through the inning with the lead intact, or they roll the dice on the bullpen.
She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.
He looked really bad though. He might have single-handedly blown the whole lead that inning.
by supermarioelia on May 16, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions
We’re only 5.5 games down. It’s only May 15. We only have to pick up about a third of a game per week for the rest of the season.
But is sure seems like the wheels are coming off.
Il faut d'abord durer.
Also! My friend from my college baseball team that was also my boss when I worked in the “Money Room” for the Chicago Cubs just made fun of me for having Vizcaino on the team. Not only that, but he advised us not to accept a check from Luis. So apparently he’s not only rocking an ERA of around infinity for the AL, but he’s bouncing checks written out to Cash deposited in the vault below left field in Wrigley.
Il faut d'abord durer.
On a positive note, I learned a lot about women and relationships.
by SuddenSam on May 16, 2009 8:39 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Ha!
Nominated for “understatement of the season.”
by FallsTribeFan on May 16, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Ironically, the Clippers also led 7-0 last night and their bullpen almost gave it back (Meloan and Herrmann). The final was 8-5. Being a bullpen coach must be one of the most miserable jobs in baseball.
If you believe it's just a game, you're also probably wondering why Santa keeps skipping your house every year.
Our WPA was at 97.4% at one point?? Yet it never felt any higher than 50/50…
by supermarioelia on May 16, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions
Tony Lastoria reporting that David Huff will make his MLB debut tomorrow against Tampa Bay.
All the stops are being pulled.
This seems to be a mental contagion. Maybe they should bring in Tony Robbins or perhaps isolate the relief pitchers and make them watch war clips set to heavy metal.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Ask Alex: Can Jose Reyes repeat as NL batting champ?
- U.S. Cellular Field: Home of the Chicago Cubs?
- MLB Fan Cave candidate explains the stories behind his 30 MLB mascot tattoos
- Kate Upton’s new MLB 2K12 ad is really something
- Five tips for Showtime’s second season of ‘The Franchise,’ featuring the Miami Marlins
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
