Game 104: Detroit 4, Cleveland 3 (12 Innings)
by Ryan on Aug 1, 2009 11:43 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
42 comments
Now we're into that awkward phase, where the core players that were going to be traded have been traded, but the prospects that are supposed to take their places haven't come up yet. Hence tonight's lineup, with Wyatt Toregas catching, Chris Gimenez at first, Trevor Crowe in left, and Jeremy Sowers on the mound. And the Indians almost pulled off a win.
Rick Porcello, the best pitching prospect in the 2007 draft, showed the Indians a preview of what they can expect over the next six years. The Tigers were able to pick Porcello late in the first round because they were willing to go above MLB's "suggested" slot value, which earned them Bud Selig's ire... and Rick Porcello. The 20-year-old spent just a year in the minors, and made Detroit's Opening Day rotation. Despite being on a very strict pitch count, Porcello went eight full innings, allowing just four hits. 15 of the 24 Indian outs came on the ground.
Jeremy Sowers again started very well, not allowing a hit until the fifth inning, but things really fell apart for him then. He allowed three base runners and a run in the fifth, and four base runners in the sixth, and another run. That the Tigers didn't break the game open during those two innings was a minor miracle. After Sowers escaped the sixth, Justin Masterson made his Cleveland debut, going the final three innings of regulation without allowing a run. Justin will be stretched out into a starter over the next couple of weeks, and given that he'll probably be taking over for Sowers in the rotation, it makes sense that he lines up with Jeremy's starts.
The Indians spoiled Fernando Rodney's perfect record in save situations, tying the game on an Asdrubal Cabrera triple and a Jhonny Peralta sacrifice fly. They had opportunities in each of the extra innings, but only scored one run, and that was after Detroit had taken a two-run lead. Jose Veras allowed the two runs in the twelfth. The damage was largely self-inflicted; he walked the first two batters of the inning, and also balked home a run. That balked-in run was the difference in the game.
Next Up: Pavano vs. Galarraga, 1:05 PM
| Higher WPA | Lower WPA | ||
| Asdrubal Cabrera | .343 | Jose Veras | -.403 |
| Jhonny Peralta | .166 | Wyatt Toregas | -.372 |
| Justin Masterson | .155 | Chris Gimenez | -.301 |
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I’m a late arrival tonight … I’m assuming it can’t be good news that Alexander Perez struck out one guy then left the game in Kinston tonight?
Probably not. Lastoria tweets
Indians 19-year old pitcher Alexander Perez left tonight’s game with an injury in the 1st inning. No word on specifics of injury yetNow, Tony’s wrong about his age, so maybe he’s wrong about this, too.
I thought he looked like he had good command of his pitches. You gotta love the 12K/9IP rate, too.
And more important, Marte was…..oh wait.
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Aug 2, 2009 2:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Shoppach must wonder what he has done to offend Wedge. Unless he is nursing an injury that I missed in the chaos of the last two days.
Well, the quality of his at-bats in the first half has offended a lot of people…
That said, I wouldn’t read anything into it just yet. Like I said in a different comment, he boxes balls sometimes, and I don’t think he’s had a lot of success catching Fausto. Then you had the next two games as a night game followed by a day game, and he’s basically been Pavano’s battery mate for awhile now. So that explains not catching Sat night.
I wish I could believe this.
This seems to be more about Wedge not grasping which players should be in the lineup.
On the one side, you have Kelly Shoppach, you hit 21 HR last season, on pace to top 25 easily in a full season. In any given season, maybe one or two catchers hit 20 home runs, so this is elite production.
On the other side, you have Wyatt Toregas, 773 OPS in Columbus in his best season, 689 MLE.
However! Toregas “impressed Wedge in spring training.” And Shoppach is not approaching AB the way Wedge wants him to.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
This is also why, when we were discussion what the Indians are going to do with all these guys over the next two months, I stated my concern that Eric Wege and Mark Shapiro be on the same page. Mark is responsible, with consultation from Eric, for deciding what players make up our team. Eric is responsible for getting the most out of them. Who plays obviously isn’t entirely Mark’s job, but he should have a strong voice (i.e. the strongest voice) in those discussions.
And perhaps they’ve decided to try to move Shoppach in the off-season. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Toregas is the Opening Day catcher in 2010, and therefore they’d like to get his first 100 at-bats out of the way this year. And if he isn’t the starter, he’s probably the backup. If Shoppach does not get the majority of playing time, you have to consider the above as a possibility as to why. You can’t assume it’s Wedge doing his own thing here.
I’m with you, I’d prefer Shoppach to get most of the at-bats, if only to see if increased playing time has the same effect as it did last year. If that occurred, then they might be more motivated to hold on to Shoppach and it would also potentially increase his trade value. Either way, it’s a plus.
I’d say even if they view the trio of Toregas/Marson/Gimenez as our ML catchers next year, there’s still strong incentive to play Shoppach 4 out of 5 games now
by APV on Aug 3, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Toregas is the Opening Day catcher in 2010
That actually is beyond the realm of possibility … unless Wedge is both an idiot and allowed to make the call.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Aug 3, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions
So if they deal Shoppach this winter, you’re saying it’s a slam dunk that Marson is starting ahead of Toregas? OK.
I don’t think they’ll deal Shoppach this winter unless he breaks out in the last two months … but even so, I don’t see Toregas starting ahead of Marson (or even Gimenez). They are performing similarly this season, but one of these guys is 3.5 years younger than the other, which means that one is still fast developing in terms of not just skills, but raw tools as well.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Understood, we’re in agreement on what should happen. But my original post was intended to provide a different possible explanation of what occurred this weekend.
I bet Shoppach catches about 3 out of 5 games, or maybe a touch more. But when Marson comes up, I’d expect playing time to be pretty evenly spread between the three. New shiny toy syndrome.
then they might be more motivated to hold on to Shoppach and it would also potentially increase his trade value. Either way, it’s a plus.
Exactly my point. Ultimately, Shoppach is a 2011 walk year guy, and that means he’s likely as not going to be traded by the end of 2010, given the current strategic focus. So it’s not like I’m in love with the idea of Shoppach as our catcher long-term, but either way, you have to put your chips where the highest return is.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Aug 3, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Is it your argument that Shoppach should have caught both Sat night and Sunday? My point is that most regular catchers don’t catch both of those games, so why be critical of Toregas being in the lineup Saturday night?
Like I said, I wouldn’t read anything in to it just yet. Let’s see what happens this week. My guess is that Shoppach will get the most at-bats at catcher of the three, but probably not quite as much as a normal regular. And I don’t think you’ll see Shoppach catching when Fausto is on the mound.
Thursday was an off-day, and Shoppach didn’t catch Thursday or Friday. There is no rest-related reason for him not to play Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, following three days of rest.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Aug 3, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Are the Indians so bad we have resorted to paper bags on heads? Apparently so. (Apologies for crappy quality. I only had my phone with me at the game.)
The cleveland.com logos must be on the front side.
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Aug 2, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
You’ve got to be impressed with the TIgers’ drafting, finding, and developing of young arms. Jurrjens, Gallaraga, Porcello. Must make the Ms feel confident about the Washburn trade.
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Aug 2, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions
I didn’t no where to put this but… VALGOOD batting 6th today…. why not just give him a shot at cleanup
Funny.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Aug 2, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
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