Game 69: Cubs 8, Indians 7 (10 Innings)
by afh4 on Jun 19, 2009 9:02 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
96 comments
When a season is going down the toilet, every loss seems somehow bizarre. Maybe it's true, maybe it's not but today seemed pretty surreal. When the game entered a rain delay in the 8th inning, the Indians were leading 7-2 and Cliff Lee had just left after pitching a good game: his final line was 7.0 IP and 3 ER. The bullpen waited around for the rain to end and then entered and promptly exploded. Joe Smith allowed four runs to cross the plate (one inherited) but, entering the ninth the Indians still led 7-6 with Kerry Wood entering the game. Before the season there was a lot of ink (much of it my own) devoted to building an instant mythology for Kerry Wood and, frankly, it all looks wasted right now. Wood blew his third save of the season when he surrendered a game tying solo shot to Derek Lee.
From there, it seemed almost routine when the Indians lost in the tenth with Luis Vizcaino on the mound. The fact that Wood wasn't used in a couple of close and late situations over the last two games has raised some ruckus among fans and I suspect that the fact that Wood was only good for one inning today, despite having not pitched in five days, will cause the same kind of clamor. However, I'm not sure it should; maybe Wedge just isn't confident in Wood. Why should he be? His numbers are hardly any better than Greg Aquino's and Aquino just got cut.
As has been typical lately, the bullpen's seppuku act covered up some great offense. The Indians' touched up Rich Harden for 7 runs in five innings, including a 2-5 day for Jhonny Peralta (including an improable triple) and homeruns out of Martinez and Valbuena. In his last 53 plate appearances, Luis is showing serious signs of life with 4 doubles and 7 walks. He still has a lot of work to do but early returns are encouraging.
It's funny, five or so weeks ago it was obvious the season was over because of the bullpen; then, suddenly, that seemed not obvious. Now, that seems obvious again.
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Not to mentioned the irony of Wood blowing it in his return to Chicago. Just ugly, man.
Ride on ye fearsome Horsemen of the Basketball Apocalypse. We got this.
by Turkmenbashi on Jun 19, 2009 9:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I had a thought. Instead of going with 5 starters on the roster, we carry 7-8. We still have a 5 man rotation, but instead of going to the usual bullpen guys for hopefully an inning, we bring in one of the bottom three starters to try and pitch until the end of the game
Cliff
Westbrook
Laffey
Huff
Pavano
Sowers
Ohka
someone I am forgetting?
by Roger Dorn on Jun 19, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What’s the worst that could happen… he gets fired in August instead of October?
FE WEE
by westbrook on Jun 19, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
basically the “piggybacking” method used in the lower levels of the minors. gotta find enough decent starters, though. that said, considering the indians pen this year, maybe the difference isn’t much.
the best thing for the indians, imo, is to bring wood into high leverage situations. the bb rate has been insanely bad this year, but he’s still got better stuff than your other pen arms.
anyhow, i think the indians would be better off shopping wood if he can get it going a bit. save the money, see if you can get some assets. in a market with few sellers, the indians could get a quality return on him. i can see a line of teams for wood if he gets offered.
by toonsterwu on Jun 20, 2009 3:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would indicate you’re punting for 2010. And the window will be closing for Victor and Cliff and Hafner and Westbrook.
by odradek on Jun 20, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
fyi, i’m not an indians fan. just wanted to get that out of the way.
i thought the indians had a shot this year, but things haven’t happened. realistically speaking, the chances of anything happening in 2009 are rather slim. i’m not saying you trade wood now – wait until closer to the deadline. but i’m not too optimistic on the indians making that 2nd half surge.
if shapiro gets a good offseason together, you can build a solid pen for 2010 and hope the rotation returnees help.
by toonsterwu on Jun 20, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There’s a five percent chance the Indians make it this season, so that’s pretty much shot. But you have to worry about 2010. Who do you get if you give up one supposed element of strength in your bullpen? That seems like a step backwatd, and again the meter is running.
by odradek on Jun 21, 2009 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. We have, at this point, a 1.5-year deal with Wood. We might find better dollar value on the market, but we won’t find something as low-risk.
I can’t see the sense of selling low on this guy. If you were to make a list of struggling relievers, and then rank them according to likelihood of bouncing back strongly, Wood would be at the top of that list.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jun 21, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only case really is one where the team is struggling financially
by Roger Dorn on Jun 21, 2009 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Based on what Shapiro said in the PD today, the team has to be concerned not to appear too cost-conscious.
by odradek on Jun 22, 2009 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My other question is if the Yankees came calling for Wood because of their bullpen problems and ability to take on a big salary, how man of you would jump at the chance to unload his contract?
by Roger Dorn on Jun 19, 2009 9:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
no way. Wood has messed it up a few times, but he is still one of our more effective relievers. Thinking about next year, I like the thought of it better with him than without.
by gmfrodo on Jun 19, 2009 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no. I’m about to look into something that I believe to be true… I’ll post if I’m right. Maybe I’ll even dip into fanpost waters.
FE WEE
by westbrook on Jun 19, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kerry Wood might be struggling, but he’s not been horrible. And he certainly hasn’t reached salary dump territory. In the trade scenario you listed above I doubt we’d receive little more than salary relief.
Besides, who would close next year?
by world dictator on Jun 19, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez
by world dictator on Jun 20, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know I shouldn’t be skeptical of next year until we at least get through the annual Mark Shapiro trade feast, but man, there’s got to be serious questions about our ability to compete next year.
2010.
by Gradyforpresident on Jun 20, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not many sellers this year. i think, even at his poor numbers right now, that wood could net a solid return, more due to reputation. if he gets it going a bit, he could net a quality return perhaps.
by toonsterwu on Jun 20, 2009 3:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But most teams are reporting that they wont be able to take on payroll.
by world dictator on Jun 20, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think you’ll find enough teams, provided wood hasn’t bombed. I mean, Angels, Phillies, Yankees are all likely to explore the trade market and perhaps for pen help. There’d be others, but even with say, Philly and the Yankees, you might have enough of a market.
This assumes that Kid K hasn’t totally bombed, though.
by toonsterwu on Jun 20, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d be in favor of a straight salary dump, and I think there’s a chance that it’ could happen, but I’m uneasy with trading FAs in the first season of their signing.
by jhon on Jun 20, 2009 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But again, who would close? We’d probably just spend the money on another closer next year and be on the hook for even more years
by world dictator on Jun 20, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Come on guys, step away from the ledge. Kerry Wood was one of the reasons the Indians lost yesterday, but he’s not the reason the Indians are where they are. Before yesterday, he hadn’t given up a run in a month.
If Mark Shapiro somehow figures out how to build a bullpen, and Eric Wedge (or whoever replaces him) figures out how a manage a non-perfect one, Kerry Wood is going to be fine. Trading Wood would mean the Indians start completely from scratch.
by Ryan on Jun 20, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am completely and unequivocally against trading anyone who can be a contributor in 2010. This would be a contending team if only they had a merely bad bullpen. They’ll be even better next year with a full season of LaPorta, a full-service Westbrook, Laffey and Huff, and four months of Brantley. Trading Wood would be short-sighted and reactionary, especially if only for salary relief and not a Santana-like package.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jun 20, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not to mention a little help on the injury front vis-a-vis position players.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jun 20, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m with MTF and WD here. Trading Kerry leaves a huge open hole for next year. Sure, if the Yankees make a great offer. But not on a salary dump.
by dgcambridge on Jun 20, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lee-Westbrook-Laffey?-Huff?-Sowers?
Trade Cliff.
by Gradyforpresident on Jun 20, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe SLewis, maybe a cheapie FA or a 5-type or prospect we get back for DeRosa/Pavano/Betancourt, maybe Carmona. I like the front 4, we can find a 5 in the next 16 months.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jun 20, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, year and a half. I basically meant between now and next April.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jun 20, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You mean, between now and next October.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jun 20, 2009 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn’t taking a stance one way or the other just asking a question
by Roger Dorn on Jun 20, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with everything you’re saying, but it seems as if Wood has barely pitched in the past month. His last save opportunity was three weeks ago.
by odradek on Jun 20, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was gutting. You can never really get behind this team because of their steadfast refusal to be any good on a consistent basis.
I become an expert simply by doing something.
by fwembt on Jun 19, 2009 9:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I think this is my least favorite Shapiro-era team.
by NickFantana on Jun 19, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly. I almost feel bad about it.
I become an expert simply by doing something.
by fwembt on Jun 20, 2009 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They continue to torture me but I keep coming back. Explain this to me.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Jun 19, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
abusive relationships are a confusing thing
by world dictator on Jun 19, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s my fault, I deserved it, I’m the one who expected them to succeed.
Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.
by USSChoo on Jun 19, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it’s okay. They were just tired. They’re not normally like this.
by world dictator on Jun 19, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He’s just tired and shagged out after a long squawk. Beautiful plumage, the Norwegian Blue.
by woodsmeister on Jun 20, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I said as I was leaving work tonight: If they lost this game I am going to be so mad. WTF? This is awful.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Jun 19, 2009 9:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
From now one you’ll be saying “if they lose this game, I will be so very not surprised”.
Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.
by USSChoo on Jun 19, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
*on.
Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.
by USSChoo on Jun 19, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was also not going to be too surprised, just very angry.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Jun 20, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well Bertha, there’s always next year
by AllenSmith on Jun 19, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bertha?
Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.
by USSChoo on Jun 19, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh you didn’t know? That is apparently what people call me when I’m not around. Except now someone told me so now it’s all the time. It’s incredibly discouraging. Bertha is nat a very attractive name.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Jun 20, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the bright side, you share a name with on of the best golf clubs in history. But, that’s probably not much of a consolation is it.
Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.
by USSChoo on Jun 20, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, can we call her Big Bertha? Is that better?
by dgcambridge on Jun 20, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Jun 20, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No it’s not. I don’t like golf.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Jun 20, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Had a feeling this was the case.
Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.
by USSChoo on Jun 21, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting how in this version of the bullpen implosion, the rain delay occurred in the 8th inning instead of before the start of the game.
by palcal on Jun 19, 2009 10:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Andrew – Wood pitched the top of the 10th in Wednesday’s game.
by TribeJay on Jun 19, 2009 10:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wedge is coming close to matching his rookie performance in 2003. After 69 games, he has won 29 games compared to 28 in 2003. However, instead of being dead last,
he had a 10 1/2 game lead over Detroit and a better record than Texas and Tampa Bay.
It must be galling to Shapiro that 6 years later, the team has a worse record than all of the other mid-market teams.
by palcal on Jun 19, 2009 10:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
JMO
Woody looks way too strong. If Wedge doesn’t start using him more often (either 2 innings every third day or 1 inning every other day, and two consecutive days at least once a week) we are going to see more blown saves like this.
Last year he only struggled if he wasn’t getting enough work.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Jun 19, 2009 10:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You might be on to something.
Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.
by USSChoo on Jun 19, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is kinda what I’m thinking.
FE WEE
by westbrook on Jun 19, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So how's the defection going? :P
I think Woody was way too excited to be pitching at Wrigley again. He was working quickly and trying to throw everything 110MPH, reminiscent of his first few games in 2008 after he was moved to the closer role.
His effective pitches were (as last year) the off-speed garbage which kept the batters guessing. The sequence against Johnson for the final out in the 9th was vintage Wood: mix it up a little and then kill ’em with speed.
He does need to work, but so does every bullpen pitcher. Not withstanding that, Wood has been a closer for more than a year. He has already adjusted his mind to the unique requirements of that role. It wasn’t about rust today – it was about returning to the park he called home for a decade and the emotions that went along with that. If he gets into a game in a similar situation in the next two days, I would not be surprised to see a 15-pitch save.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Jun 20, 2009 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, so last year on May 24, Wood blew his fourth save. Then, from May 26 to July 5, he pitched in 13 games and gave up a total of one run. After blowing his 5th save on July 5, he blew only 1 more all season.
So, yeah, he didn’t really gain his stride until his 25th appearance (May 26).
He has now pitched in either 26 or 27 games for us, and it’s almost a full month later.
FE WEE
by westbrook on Jun 19, 2009 10:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
How much of the early season struggles last year do you think you can attribute to adjusting to the closer role?
Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.
by USSChoo on Jun 19, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, that could be. Wedge has never tried “me” in the closers role, though — so I couldn’t tell ya.
FE WEE
by westbrook on Jun 19, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He should. I require 10% of your league minimum contract, though, for suggesting the idea.
Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.
by USSChoo on Jun 19, 2009 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
league minimum, hah. more like 10M+ per year.
FE WEE
by westbrook on Jun 19, 2009 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll lean on the GMs, see if we can’t get a player option.
Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.
by USSChoo on Jun 20, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I liked how Piniella used his backup catcher as a pitch-hitter in the late innings—thus leaving no catcher on the pines in case of injury. Such recklessness, such daring, was rewarded. Lou outmanaged 3000 today. It was as if Wedge hadn’t even considered the possibility of Piniella’s actions.
by odradek on Jun 19, 2009 11:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
God. Watching the later “highlights” to this game on mlb was an enraging experience, to say the least.
And to think that I was upset that today and tomorrow were day games … :\
--
Force quit and move to trash.
by vbc3 on Jun 19, 2009 11:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
As both a Tribe and Cubs fan … I’m almost hoping the trip to Wrigleyville just puts the Indians out of their misery for the year.
by FallsTribeFan on Jun 19, 2009 11:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
who? me?
I say that in jest … I always want the Tribe to win.
But I’m tired of this “if we can just hang on, the team can get back in it” mentality … I just don’t see the talent to rip off the winning streak needed to get back into the think of things.
by FallsTribeFan on Jun 20, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I concur. And even if we didn’t manage to rise above the mire of the AL Central, I definitely would not call the current version of the team a championship contending team.
by ShawnK on Jun 20, 2009 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think he was talking to you
by Roger Dorn on Jun 20, 2009 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve only recently realized just how terrible the pitching staff is. That sounds naive, but what I mean is the extent of its terribleness. When I read that the Tribe pitchers led the majors in giving up walks, I was surprised. I jnew they sucked, but figured there had to be worse teams. To discover today that the Indians’ pitchers have allowed the most runs in the big leagues was also something of a surprise for the same reason. But it goes beyond being the worst in the majors this season. It is truly, as Jay noted here earlier this season, a historic performance.
In watching the bullpen you figure eventually somebody is going to make an out. A hitter will get himself out, or a fielder will make a great play (as if), or a lucky bounce, or something. But this pen is truly wretched.
In the four games this week the team has allowed runs to score in 13 out of 19 innings after the fifth. That’s hard to do if you try. The Tribe has allowed three runs to score in the sixth inning in four games, four runs to score in the seventh, 14 runs in the eighth, two in the ninth, one in the tenth and one in the eleventh. I didn’t check this, but I recall hearing that the Tribe has allowed 68 runs to score in 69 eighth innings this year. Again, that’s hard to do. Last season there were 4.54 runs scored per nine eighth innings. The Tribe pen is performing at nearly double last year’s ML average.
by odradek on Jun 20, 2009 12:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’ve only recently realized just how terrible the pitching staff is.
I know exactly what you mean. I was doing a pretty decent job making myself forget just how terrible everything looked before, say, the beginning of June. This whole week has been a hell of a refresher course.
--
Force quit and move to trash.
by vbc3 on Jun 20, 2009 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No wonder, you’ve been blaming everything on Shoppach for two months.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jun 20, 2009 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shop is definitely a comparison gainer.
by odradek on Jun 20, 2009 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Correction: Hoynes says 65 runs in the eighth.
by odradek on Jun 20, 2009 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
DeRosa and Wood would rather be playing for the Cubs
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-20-cubs-wood-derosajun20,0,899449.story
by palcal on Jun 20, 2009 1:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Just finished watching the whole disaster on DVR. This is one day when I wish someone had spoiled it for me before I got to watch. Unbelievable. Yet, so believable.
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Jun 20, 2009 2:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
These guys are really making me sick..i mean, this is the worst bullpen of all times, or what? And mr. superstar Kerry Wood is another bluff of all this “super saver” trash..
Earning a save when your team is up by 3 and you pitch the bottom of the order in the ninth? Oh, sure, what a brilliant pitcher you are..please..
by fabiopao on Jun 20, 2009 5:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Um, you do know that the game was a 1-run affair … and Wood was facing the 3-4-5?
by FallsTribeFan on Jun 20, 2009 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I think overlooked in this whole thing is the fact that he was facing very good hitters to try and close the game. You made me feel slightly better about the loss.. damn it.
Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.
by USSChoo on Jun 20, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he’s saying the super savers earn their rep through easy saves. Not that this one was easy.
by dgcambridge on Jun 20, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It seems like interleague play has been a springboard for teams going on to win their division. The Tribe is 3-7 (tied for worst in AL with Toronto and Oakland) while the Twins are 8-2. (The Angels are 9-1.) Is this a stretch of the schedule where AL contenders are supposed to fatten up on the caribou of the NL? If so, maybe a change of plans is in order.
by odradek on Jun 20, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We’re now on track for a 68-94 record. We’re now 8 games out. I assume Shapiro has stuck a fork in this season and is now working on the future.
I hope the first thing he is doing is looking for a replacement for Wedge. Every season based on talent the Tribe is usually picked to be a contender in our division and all too often when June rolls around we are treading water.
Why fire Wedge? Mainly because we’ve tried everything else and nothing else has worked, and he is the one constant in all of our blah performances. Really, he has a .505 winning record over the past 6.5 seasons and he’s on track to equal his first year’s record.
If you believe it's just a game, you're also probably wondering why Santa keeps skipping your house every year.
by LeftyCatcher on Jun 20, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yep. Time to start working on trading the spare parts and building, once again, for next year.
by Cols714 on Jun 20, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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