Game 55: Indians 10, Twins 1

by Ryan on Jun 4, 2009 1:04 AM EDT in Game Recaps

Cliff Lee, who has pitched almost as well this year as he did in 2008 (3.16 ERA), came into tonight's game with a 2-6 record.. The Indians simply haven't given him run support, even though scoring runs generally hasn't been a problem for the offense. But tonight Lee didn't have to worry about run support, for the Indians scored five runs early, and added on late.

The major turning point of the contest was the top of the third inning. After two outs, the Indians got three bloop singles in a row to plate a run, then a solid single to score one more, and finally a blast from Jhonny Peralta to score three additional runs. The Indians knocked out starter Anthony Swarzak the next inning, and went to work on the soft underbelly of the Twins bullpen.

Cliff Lee went eight innings, and could have gone the distance if needed, but by that time the Indians were up 10-1, so there was no need for him to pitch the ninth.

via www.fangraphs.com

Highest WPA		Lowest WPA
Jhonny Peralta	.210	Luis Valbuena	-.032
Cliff Lee	.197	Mark DeRosa	-.030
Victor Martinez	.106	Ryan Garko	-.026

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Comments

Well, this was a good day overall in baseball land…. The Tribe smooshed the Twins, everyone else in the division lost, and we learn that Astro’s injury may not be as serious as was originally guessed…

by Logodaedalus on Jun 4, 2009 2:23 AM EDT reply actions

Only 3.5 games out of second…. which is useless… but just imagine, if instead of 1-5 against Detroit we were 3-3, we’d be 3 out of first right now. In fourth, but only 3 games out of first.

And if I had a pony then it probably would mean that at least one wish had become a horse.

(Ponyland Standings)
W L GB
DET 26 25 —
MIN 26 28 1.5
CHW 25 27 1.5
CLE 25 30 3.0
KC 23 29 3.5

by Logodaedalus on Jun 4, 2009 3:06 AM EDT reply actions

If we can come out of this divisional series of play at 5 back, I’ll have hope again.

"I gotta be honest, I dunno much about the climate in Japan." - Matt Underwood

by USSChoo on Jun 4, 2009 4:31 AM EDT up reply actions

If we can win all three series, I’ll feel okay, regardless of what Detroit does.

by Logodaedalus on Jun 4, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

nope

by Logodaedalus on Jun 5, 2009 2:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think the “games out of second” standing is useless, not in the first week of June. We don’t really know ultimately who our top competitor will be — nobody will be shocked if Detroit goes into freefall. The fact that we’re only 3.5 behind Minnesota and Chicago is very relevant.

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

by Jay on Jun 4, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, that’s right. I was being a tad overly preemptive there.

by Logodaedalus on Jun 4, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

The crappy thing about a-cab’s injury is that besides injurying one of our few consistent offensive players it forces Shapiro to keep DeRosa for longer.

by world dictator on Jun 4, 2009 4:51 AM EDT reply actions

That’s the crappy thing?

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jun 4, 2009 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Look at it from a DeRosa-for-pitching-upgrades standpoint.

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

by Jay on Jun 4, 2009 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions

At this point, why not just keep Jhonny at 3B, and figure out a Valbuena/Carroll/Barfield at SS/2B situation? Don’t hold onto DeRosa because of Cabrera.

by DixonCayne on Jun 4, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

For starters, because Jhonny has many times more experience at SS than the other three combined.

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

by Jay on Jun 4, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Do you think it’s pretty clear they hang on to Derosa now until A-Cab is 100% healthy?

by cheech99 on Jun 4, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Unfortunately, yes.

With SO MANY FREAKIN’ PEOPLE INJURED, DeRosa’s ability to play all over the field is really, really valuable to the Tribe.

by gte619n on Jun 4, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

On a related point, I assume the Braves are now out as a potential Derosa destination now that they traded for McLouth. Not that you still can’t drum up enough competition between the Mets, Cards, and Cubs at least theoretically. But yeah, I suppose it’s hard to see Derosa getting dealt now.

by cheech99 on Jun 4, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Boy that would be hilarious if the Cubs trade for DeRosa. I’m thinking two minor league relievers ought to do it.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Jun 4, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I still think it would be funnier if the Cards traded for him. Van you imagine the Cubs fans who followed him here? They would be so mad.

Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?

by ClemsonGirl on Jun 4, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I like this idea

by hans on Jun 4, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Can* I hate typing.

Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?

by ClemsonGirl on Jun 4, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

As an entree, this team still wants to win games and having Jhonny, DeRosa and one of those three is better right now than Jhonny, one of those three and another one of those three.

by AllenSmith on Jun 4, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

or...

how about we let valbuena go back to columbus, find his bat, and keep derosa in the lineup everyday. c’mon, this isn’t dellucci we’re talking about

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jun 4, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Valbuena/Carroll/Barfield will be figuring out 2B/3B. Jhonny’s getting hot and he’s a good SS. Man I wish we had a good hitting outfielder we could have called up, putting DeRosa back at 3B while Droobs is out.

by jakesinger777 on Jun 4, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I doubt we’re not going anywhere this year and I like Jhonny getting his experience in at third. If there’s a DeRosa deal that makes sense, make it.

by DixonCayne on Jun 4, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Pandora’s Box is creeping open . . .

by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Jun 4, 2009 8:47 AM EDT reply actions

Andy Dufraine is a jerk.

Il faut d'abord durer.

by CU Adam on Jun 4, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

how???

how in the world did we just stomp minnesota into the ground when we just put our second best hitter on the DL? baseball is the best example of any team capable of beating any other team regardless of the roster…

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jun 4, 2009 9:58 AM EDT reply actions