Game 49: Cleveland 2, Tampa 1

by APV on May 28, 2009 6:14 PM EDT Comment 46 comments

The Indians need to win games now. The Indians are suffering from numerous injuries, particularly to the starting rotation. These two facts mean that the Indians need players who may not have been part of plans A, B, or C at the beginning of the season to step up and perform well. They also need the guys who were counted on at the beginning of the season to do what was expected of them. Suddenly, for four games in Cleveland, that is what has happened for the Indians.

The Indians came in to this afternoon’s game with a chance to extend their first legitimate winning streak of the season to 4 games and finish off a sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays. David Huff, who is one of those people the Tribe needs to step up and help stabilize the starting rotation for the next month, had not made it to the fifth inning in either of his first two starts. He didn’t today again, but this time it wasn’t his fault. While looking far from over-powering, Huff worked four scoreless innings this afternoon before rain interrupted the game and ultimately ended Huff’s day prematurely. After leaving a runner in scoring position each of the first two innings, the Indians managed to score a run in the third off a bunt single from Asdrubal Cabrera, a double from Grady, and then a groundball from Victor Martinez – good enough to give the Indians a 1-0 lead heading into the rain delay.

After the rain stopped, the Indians extended the lead to 2-0 thanks to a Kelly Shoppach double down the left field line and a two out hit from (you guessed it) Victor Martinez. In the following half-inning, Jensen Lewis in for his second inning of relief allowed a solo-HR to Willie Aybar to cut the lead to 2-1. If there was a negative in today’s game, it was that the HR was the 8th allowed by Jensen on the season – not a good number for a reliever in May. Jensen was replaced by Matt Herges (1-0, 1.35), who again delivered a strong multi-inning outing, allowing just a single hit and striking out 3 in 1.2 innings. Rafael Betancourt followed with his sixth consecutive scoreless outing. And Kerry Wood followed with his fourth straight, good for his 8th save and a 2-1 Indians victory.

Next up: The Yankees come to town, Lee vs. Pettitte (7:05 pm)

52809_medium

Highest	WPA	Lowest	WPA
D Huff	.220	S Choo	-.119
M Herges	.183	L Valbuena	-.079
K Wood	.168	R Garko	-.070

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Comments

Baseball is a funny game …

Amazing that Herges, Vizcaino and Aquino … along with a resurgent Raffy B. … are the ones righting the ship in the ’pen.

by FallsTribeFan on May 28, 2009 6:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe this is the way for the Indians to go about building a bullpen — finding veteran retreads with something left in the tank who have at least SOME history of getting guys out. But who knew that Aquino and Herges and Vizcaino had anything left?

by jefftribe on May 28, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So basically Shapiro should keep doing what he’s been doing for the past 5 years

by world dictator on May 28, 2009 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Isn’t that solid moneyball philosophy? That there’s very little marginal difference in performance among most relievers and most clubs overpay them, so why not pay less for people who can patch together the back end of games?

"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter

by Denver Tribe Fan on May 29, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It isn’t about paying less. We’ve been paying plenty less. It is ultimately about evaluating better.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on May 29, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Right. My point was that veteran retreads, like Herges and Aquino, might actually be a decent investment rather than, say, making a move for someone like Putz and overpaying him in relation to his actual performance value. It’s not a bad strategy if you think believe that it’s hard to evaluate relief pitcher performance (pay relatively low value on short term deals) and that that performance varies a great deal from year to year (with the exception of a very small # of relievers who maintain consistent value over several seasons).

"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter

by Denver Tribe Fan on May 29, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Enjoyed the sweep, now preparing for The Four Days Hate.

LGT.

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Force quit and move to trash.

by vbc3 on May 28, 2009 6:33 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Nice. LGT.

by SanD on May 28, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe its the kind of confidence boost that Huff needed where he didn’t get too exposed the third time through the order. Man has our bullpen got the karma train goin or what?

Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic. - Robert S. Wieder

by jerseywahoo on May 28, 2009 8:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like this quote from Herges in reference to Longoria:

’’He’s a lot better than I am,‘’ Herges said of Longoria. ’’Anytime I get him out, I’ll take it. He’s going to get me a lot more than I’ll get him.’’

by DoubleWahoo05 on May 28, 2009 8:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This ~~Herpes~~ Herges guy is growing on me

by APV on May 28, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You might want to get that checked out.

He was on the postgame interview with Hammy and Hegan. He was very self-deprecating and ‘aw shucks.’ Some stuff about how he loves his wife, but spends more time with Jensen Lewis. Just an odd discussion.

by CBusSteve on May 29, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Worst nickname we’ve ever used.

by dgcambridge on May 29, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s ok. The condition usually clears up after the first batter he faces.

"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter

by Denver Tribe Fan on May 29, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

In Herges’ defense, he’s now gotten the first batter out in four straight appearances. He hasn’t allowed a runner to score, inherited or otherwise, in any of those games, stretching over 6.1 IP. Batters are hitting .087/.192/.087 in that stretch. Yee-haw.

by FredOx on May 29, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know, I just couldn’t resist the joke. Plus, he did give up those huge bombs the first couple of times out before settling down to pitch quite well. I’m actually a big fan of Herges’s from watching him with the Rockies a couple of years back.

"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter

by Denver Tribe Fan on May 29, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It never totally clears up, though. I mean, so I’m told.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on May 29, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A little 2007 memory. Winning streaks are fun.

Part 2 of the game thread was like old times – really good read.

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin

by Spidey on May 28, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I feel like we’ve turned a corner. This game wasn’t possible a few weeks ago.

I didn’t realize how this season had affected me until that final delayed strike three call on Upton. When Hammy let out that yell “No strike three!” I found there were tears in my eyes.

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 28, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It’s funny: even at their absolute suckiest, this team affects my mood from day to day far more than I like to admit.

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Force quit and move to trash.

by vbc3 on May 28, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

( Incidentally, new adjusted current mood: 4.5 )

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Force quit and move to trash.

by vbc3 on May 28, 2009 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds about right.

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 28, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

got dumped 2 weeks ago from a long relationship. I no longer care now that we’re winning. Classic mistake, never date someone who hates Ohio. If only the Cavs can pull out the Miracle at the Quick…

Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic. - Robert S. Wieder

by jerseywahoo on May 28, 2009 8:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No Doug Collins? I feel the karma turning…

Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic. - Robert S. Wieder

by jerseywahoo on May 28, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you’re no longer dating Ichiro?

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on May 29, 2009 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only 3 games behind second place. The Tigers while a lot better than I thought are still flawed. Feeling positive for the first time in a few weeks.

by ClarkM on May 28, 2009 9:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Tribe has played 22 games against the East, while Detroit has played 8. Conversely, the Tigers have played 15 games against the West, while we’ve played 3. We have a decimated group of starters, yes, but wouldn’t you say we’ve also played a tougher schedule? This stuff evens out over 162 games (I hope).

by MTF on May 28, 2009 11:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

good info to know MTF. Thanks!!!

Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic. - Robert S. Wieder

by jerseywahoo on May 28, 2009 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We’ll go head-to-head with Detroit 12 more times, with 3 of those games before the All-Star break.

Keep winning.

by jhon on May 29, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The problem, of course, is that we’re 11-11 against the East. If we played them all the time, apparently, we’d be respectable. If I’m counting right, we’re only 9-12 against teams in our own division, however. Maybe that’s easier competition, but we need to do better. I don’t think the problem has been the quality of the opposition. I think it’s been (and continues to be) the quality of our pitching.

by peter m on May 29, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But until yesterday I believe we had only won series against teams in our division. So that is interesting to me.

by ClemsonGirl on May 29, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know if the RPI actually means anything this early in the season, but from that perspective, the Indians have the second hardest strength of schedule in all of baseball (only behind San Diego).

1. San Diego (515)

AL Central:
2. Indians (514)
7. Twins (507)
12. Tiggers (503)
15. Royals (500)
17. White Sox (498)

by gte619n on May 29, 2009 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um, didn’t I get ripped the other day for suggesting that we could go on a 10 game tear like SD by people who argued that the Padres get to play much weaker opponents? So, this.

"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter

by Denver Tribe Fan on May 29, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and the Padres’ opponents aren’t even as tough as their records suggest because their opponents are beating NL teams.

FE WEE

by westbrook on May 29, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interestingly (to me), if you break down our schedule against the East further, we played Toronto when they were on fire. Now they are playing back down to their level (.500ish club). We haven’t played Baltimore. Now their roster projects to improve with the Weiters and Hernandez callups. We also don’t play the Angels until later in the summer, when their rotation projects to shape up.

This probably isn’t meaningful. Detroit plays Baltimore this weekend, and Hernandez shut them down pretty good last night. Still a little quirky.

by SanD on May 29, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, I’ve posted a couple of times this season on our strength of schedule. The thing nobody knew was if SOS subtracted the wins your opponents have because they’re beating up on you.

FE WEE

by westbrook on May 29, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs