Game 95: Blue Jays 10, Indians 6

by Ryan on Jul 22, 2009 11:25 PM EDT in Game Recaps

Carl Pavano got lit up at the wrong time. Sure, there's no right time to get rocked, but a good outing would have increased his trade value in the eyes of teams looking for a starting pitcher, but without the funds or talent to go after Roy Halladay or even Cliff Lee. Instead, Carl left in the fifth after giving up 7 runs on 7 hits (four of which were home runs). Pavano hadn't pitched since before the All-Star Break, so maybe rust had a bit to do with it. When C.B. Bucknor is behind the plate, the position of the strike zone can never be known with certainty, so that uncertainty also had something to do with Pavano's outing.

The Indians had a good offensive game, and briefly got back in the game after Luis Valbuena hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning. But Jose Veras gave those three runs right when he gave up a three-run homer to Marco Scutaro (his second of the game). Veras has fit rather comfortably into the Indians bullpen.

Next Up: Huff vs. Rzepczynski, 12:37 PM.

290722114_indians_bluejays_135236233_lbig_medium

via www.fangraphs.com

Highest WPA		Lowest WPA
Ryan Garko	.097	Carl Pavano	-.291
Asdrubal Cabrera	.077	Travis Hafner	-.103
Ben Francisco	.047	Luis Valbuena	-.087

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Comments

Even worse news for the Ryan Garko haters. His OPS is now over .800

by world dictator on Jul 22, 2009 11:47 PM EDT reply actions

Wow, yes, he is really showing us

by Roger Dorn on Jul 22, 2009 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions

/swigs beer

Damn!

by fleerdon on Jul 23, 2009 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought there was an “n” in there. I was worried you were drunkenly attacking Roger — not to mention spilling beer…

by Logodaedalus on Jul 23, 2009 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Ryan Garko the first baseman/hitter is way down on the list of things wrong with the Indians right now.

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

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jul 23, 2009 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Ryan Garko the outfielder, on the other hand…

"Actual versatility is a good thing. Imagined versatility is a bad thing."
Jay Levin

by woodsmeister on Jul 23, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

The fact that we have to qualify it says something

by Roger Dorn on Jul 23, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Gonnie Garko’s bat plays RF!

by JulioBernazard on Jul 23, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

At this point he is what he is as a hitter. His season averages since he came up are:
.281 / .353 / .445 / .798 (avg, obp, slg, ops)
and he averages 29 extra-base hits, 21 home runs, strikes out 103 times and walks 45.
He’s on course for something around that this year again – although his counting stats are down a little as he’s seen fewer at bats this far.
The problem is that he plays 1B (and roams the outfield these days) and you need more than average from him.
But like others have said, out of all the problems we’ve got, he’s got to be one of the smallest. I just hope we get something decent for him.

I'm not from round 'ere...

by RasenFridge on Jul 23, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Sure, he’s not the biggest problem we have, but I’ll add what I always add to any discussion of Garko. His offensive production is not good enough for a 1B with marginal defense and sub-Molina speed (his infield single the other night notwithstanding).

by FredOx on Jul 23, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.
Now. Who would you keep out of this year’s bullpen?

I'm not from round 'ere...

by RasenFridge on Jul 23, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I’d like to keep them all out of the bullpen. Oh, you mean who to retain? Wood, Jensen Lewis, Sipp, the Perezes (assuming Raffy learns not to suck).

by FredOx on Jul 23, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

And Miller’s bound to be fit next season….

I'm not from round 'ere...

by RasenFridge on Jul 23, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

FLAG

by dgcambridge on Jul 23, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

This threw me, so I thought I’d check baseball-reference: the 29 XBH number listed here does not include his 21 HR, which are technically extra base hits. My first reaction was “Wha!? Eight doubles per season?”

by Joel D on Jul 23, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Sorry chap. My fault. Just added 2B and 3B together. Dimwit that I am.

I'm not from round 'ere...

by RasenFridge on Jul 23, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I see this as good news, not because I love Garko but because I love anyone willing to give us any sort of prospect arm for him.

Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.

by USSChoo on Jul 23, 2009 6:03 AM EDT up reply actions

This. Keep on hitting, Ryan.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Jul 23, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Setting an arbitrary minimum of 150 PAs, would you rather have 1B Garko, 10th of 16 qualified in OPS, or OF Garko, 20th of 41? Officially “qualified”, those ranks are 9/12 and 17/33.

by Matt in LA on Jul 23, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Unless Garko starts hitting like the 2009 version of Raul Ibanez or something, he doesn’t belong in any OF discussion.

by FredOx on Jul 23, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Garko isn’t good at first base by any means, but he obviously does far more damage in the outfield.

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

by Jay on Jul 23, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Someone should break up the Indians Bullpen Club by only using the pitchers who have not been initiated or have decided to leave.

Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?

by ClemsonGirl on Jul 22, 2009 11:50 PM EDT reply actions

This team resolutely refuses to give me reasons to care.

by fleerdon on Jul 23, 2009 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I had to log back on to mention that our beloved Wedge made SI this week. You guessed it, the They Said it section

Eric Wedge, Indians manager, on what makes Mariners ace Felix Hernandez so effective:

He has a special arm, and he’s pitching with it.

by Roger Dorn on Jul 23, 2009 12:05 AM EDT reply actions

Translation: I have a mouth, and I’m moving it.

by mcrose on Jul 23, 2009 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions 7 recs

Actual LOL.

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

by Jay on Jul 23, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Green.

--
Force quit and move to trash.

by vbc3 on Jul 23, 2009 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I laughed out loud AGAIN at this.

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

by Jay on Jul 23, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Someone should tell our bullpen that this is what you do with those arms.

Shin-Soo Choo, future U.S. Citizen.

by USSChoo on Jul 23, 2009 6:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow, Wedge never ceases to amaze us with his baseball knowledge

by MooneysRebellion on Jul 23, 2009 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Please don’t hit me, but might he have meant that he’s pitching these days instead of just throwing like he used to?
I’m reading too much into it aren’t I?

I'm not from round 'ere...

by RasenFridge on Jul 23, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions

No you’re not. The full quote:

He had an outstanding fastball. He’s always had a great arm, but he’s really matured as a pitcher and how he utilizes his stuff. He has a special arm and he’s pitching with it.

I’d like to see Wedge fired, too, but this is just silly.

by FredOx on Jul 23, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, SI took only the part I included

by Roger Dorn on Jul 23, 2009 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Fair enough.
I have to admit when I read it my first reaction was: idiot!
It’s difficult to retain any perspective on him at this point and I’m not even on the same continent as him.

I'm not from round 'ere...

by RasenFridge on Jul 23, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions