Game 117: Indians 7, Twins 4
by Ryan on Aug 16, 2009 7:41 PM EDT
in Game Threads
308 comments
Aaron Laffey just went 5.1 innings, but the bullpen was fantastic, holding a four run lead into the ninth inning. It makes you wonder where this team would be, even with the poor starting rotation, if the bullpen hadn't imploded at the beginning of the season. Or maybe it's just the competition that's making the Indians look good.
As with yesterday's win, the Indians had a big offensive inning. After Twins starter Nick Blackburn breezed through the first couple innings, the Indians jumped on him in the third. Kelly Shoppach and Luis Valbuena homered back-to-back to open the inning, and after Andy Marte got hit, Grady Sizemore went deep for his second home run in as many days. The Indians would keep the inning go after the home run barrage, for Jamey Carroll singled next, and Asdrubal Cabrera drove him home with a sliced double down the left field line. Blackburn would be pulled two batters later. The Twins have had very poor pitching as of late, with Swarzak and Blackburn especially struggling.
Laffey got out of a particularly dangerous jam in the bottom of the fourth. He loaded the bases with three walks, and faced Delmon Young with one out. Young, who had taken Laffey deep his last time at-bat, grounded into a double play, and that turned out to be the at-bat of the game. Joe Smith, Tony Sipp, and Chris Perez held the Twins at bay after Laffey left, and Kerry Wood allowed a run but closed the game out in the ninth.
Hopefully Jamey Carroll is only playing the outfield so that the Indians can trade him for a real-life prospect tomorrow.
Next Up: The Angels come to town on Tuesday. TBD vs. Carmona, 7:05 PM
| Highest WPA | Lowest WPA | ||
| Grady Sizemore | .201 | Aaron Laffey | -.059 |
| Kelly Shoppach | .100 | Travis Hafner | -.058 |
| Luis Valbuena | .092 | Agent M | -.005 |
0 recs |
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It’s becoming disturbing how well the tribe plays in the second half of the season compared their perennially abysmal starts. We’re 16-12 since the break and have lost only 3 of 9 series. That’s not good enough to factor in the divisional race (that goes without saying), but what on earth makes a team do this? These epidemics of poor performances are like a staph infection in the Browns’ locker room, seemingly affecting everyone all at once.
What gives?
Hopefully Jamey Carroll is only playing the outfield so that the Indians can trade him for a real-life prospect tomorrow.
I’m a Jamey Carroll fan, and I agree with you 100%, but who among his possible suitors would be looking to play Carroll in RF? I mean, really. This is totally mindless.
by ken from alexandria on Aug 16, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions
garko is a lefty-killer… he’ll be part of a platoon with most teams, so showcasing him in a COF spot actually increases his value
i agree with you on questioning why the heck carroll is in the OF… his value comes from his defense… i’m wondering if they’re just hoping that a team it willing to buy high on his offense (typically he’s a negative value hitter) and by showing he can play OF it’s just another level of flexibility for a team looking to trade for carroll
by gorilla_baller on Aug 16, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Meaning that they’re playing him in right field to keep him in the lineup. The same way they put Garko in the outfield to keep his bat in the lineup.
But at some point, either you trade Carroll, or you don’t. That day should be tomorrow. After that, Matt LaPorta is in the lineup almost every day between now and the end of the season.
The Subdudes – “If Wishing Made It So”
"It's all part of life's rich pageant, you know?" - Inspector Clouseau
by woodsmeister on Aug 17, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
I like this sig. In the spirit of “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Aug 16, 2009 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
- Of course he wasn’t ready. Had you read any of what’s been written here, you’d see that there is almost universal consensus that Huff is in Cleveland due only to desperation, and should ideally have remained in AAA.
- Statements in the form “Huff sucks” are about as useful as if I knocked on your door and said “You suck.” He may or may not be good, but we tend to strive for a higher level of discourse here.
- Huff will never be the #1 guy, but so what? There’s plenty of evidence to suggest he’ll be a contributor in the rotation in 2010.
- With all that said, Laffey is obviously better.
I actually have no problem with the Indians going with Huff this year. It might have been nice if we could have sent him down at some point to work on things, but I don’t have major issues with him learning at the big league level. Players make adjustments differently. Laffey seems completely unfazed by the leap to the majors, or to the bullpen, or back to the rotation. For Huff, this is the first stumble he’s had as a professional. I still have great hopes.
Well, so do I, but I still would have preferred Lee/Pavano/Not-Sucky-Carmona/Laffey/Not-Injured-Reyes with Huff in AAA.
Agreed, but at least it appears that some rough outings haven’t hurt Huff’s confidence any. Which IMO is huge. He could have folded and thrown together bad outing after bad outing, but he has a bad outing and then rebounds well. That’s very encouraging. At least he can take all of this and build on it during the offseason. Very hopeful Huff can turn into a middle of the rotation starter.
by MooneysRebellion on Aug 17, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions
You got your point across. Most of us choose to believe that your point is wrong.
"It's all part of life's rich pageant, you know?" - Inspector Clouseau
by woodsmeister on Aug 17, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Wrong is okay. Pueriley-formed is not
Stuart Dean
by stuart dean on Aug 17, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
You didn’t really have a point, you only thought that you did. Saying he “sucks” just shows your ignorance and lack of well considered thought on the subject.
Huff is a work in progress. His track record stretches back a couple of years into the minors, so we can judge his talent on more than just 20-odd big-league starts. It’s more likely than not that he’ll improve and become a solid if unspectacular contributor.
Is it possible that it will turn out instead that he sucks? Sure, it’s possible. Hell, look at Carmona — nobody thought he would suck.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
It was never realistic to think that not-sucky-Carmona, healthy-Pavano and serviceable-Reyes would all be in the rotation for any length of time. Huff started the season as perhaps our fourth most viable starter, and unless we had a remarkable year like 2005, with our top five starters taking 158 out of 162 turns, Huff was going to get a long look this season.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
I hate to bring Romey in to this but his rule for callers does apply:
“Have a take and don’t suck”
Violating both is bad…
Stuart Dean
by stuart dean on Aug 17, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Please don’t put Huff is Sowers’ category yet.
by Buckeye Brad on Aug 16, 2009 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions
i keep telling myself that… better change up than sowers
by gorilla_baller on Aug 16, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
fangraphs has it at a negative value, but based on minor league scouting reports it should catch up eventually
by gorilla_baller on Aug 16, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I am referencing the race for most wins in an Indians uniform for 2009. Pavano is first with 9 right now and Lee, Laffey, and Huff are now all tied for 2nd with 7. Huff and Laffey are the only ones adding to that total going forward.
And don’t you dare insult Huff by comparing him to Sowers. He’s not Laffey, but he is no Jeremy Sowers. At least I hope not.
Steel Nick
Oh, okay.
I still feel like Sowers can be good. Not front of the rotation good, but being a #4/5 for an NL team. He is a smart pitcher. He will pitch around guys that can hurt him (thus the high walks) and attacks guys he feels he can get out. Obviously, with that kind of approach he is susceptible to big innings. He clearly has mastered AAA, so despite his rather gaudy MLB stats .. he IS an MLB pitcher. Something we seem to forget. He just needs to find some out pitches to get him over this hump.
Yes, it is unfair to compare him to Huff. They aren’t the same pitcher.
But you know that’s exactly where this is headed. Sowers will eventually run out of time here and be dumped off in the NL where he will post some nice dummy stats for half a season and all the Indians fans will cry, “We let ’em go fer nuttin!”
I have a bad feeling about seeing him go. It is not rational but I can’t shed it. Think Jamie Moyer…
Stuart Dean
by stuart dean on Aug 17, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Think of the most successful soft-tossing lefty in ML history!
by Roger Dorn on Aug 17, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I attended the first two games with my family. Had to say goodbye to the Dome (or good riddance, as it remains the worst place to watch a game of the dozen or so parks I’ve gone to). Funniest sight – seeing TWO fans with Doug Mientkiewicz jerseys. It’s not like you don’t have good options, Twins fans. If you can afford to go to the game, you can upgrade the jersey!
it’s funny because my friend works for the pirates and pittsburgh fans became diehard mientkiewicz supporters… it wouldn’t surprise me if someone in pitt still wears a pirate’s version of those jerseys
by gorilla_baller on Aug 16, 2009 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Cmon, you know there a few fans of the Tribe still wear Dybzinksi, or Mel Hall, or some obscure 80s player. At least Mientkiewicz was a semi star for the Twins
mel hall used to wear and extra pair of batting gloves in both back pockets… his logic was that as he rounded the bases after a home run, the flapping of the gloves were like waving good bye to the ball, thus taunting the pitcher… but i think he sexually assaulted a child… not cool mel
by gorilla_baller on Aug 17, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Glad it’s not just here.
I laugh every time I see a Browns fan wearing their “Spielman” jersey.
by FallsTribeFan on Aug 17, 2009 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions
It works. The picture shouldn’t be overshadowed by an equally funny or funnier caption.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Aug 16, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
paraphrase of Joe Morgan right now, “I like Pedro because he’s a winner, he can win, and he can throw hard, which should help him win. We don’t emphasize this enough, but he knows how to win and he can win.”
Thanks, joe. i needed that.
That’s actually fairly articulate for Joe.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Aug 16, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
in the words of FJM: “i never really saw him play… slidepiece… dave concepcion”
by gorilla_baller on Aug 17, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, that was major eye-roll time for me. But I like Joe Morgan when he’s talking about the action on the field.
I agree. When he’s talking about what infielders are doing during an at-bat, he can’t be beat. And occasionally when he’s talking about a batter, he’s very good. But when he’s talking about anything else, boy is he awful.
i actually enjoy some of the anecdotes from his playing days, too…even though many of them turn out to be slight misremembrances (roger clemens english dictionary)
by DontCallMeJoey on Aug 17, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Pretty sure I have. During game threads though. If it comes on I stop what I’m doing and watch in awe. Did he really sleep on his glave? He’s a freak.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Aug 17, 2009 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions
lots of scarred tissue and empty promises
by gorilla_baller on Aug 17, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Is this a procedural move?
Recalling him from rehab to option him back out?
by FallsTribeFan on Aug 17, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
why? is he a choking hazard for small children?
by Brick. on Aug 17, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
He was indeed recalled and optioned.
Recalled pitcher Scott Lewis from his minor league rehab assignment and optioned him to Columbus of the International League (AAA).
by FallsTribeFan on Aug 17, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
did something happen with strausburg. please don’t make me get baseball news in a place other than here.
Just to be nit-picky. I’ve read in multiple places that the deadline is Monday at midnight. Wouldn’t that have been earlier today? Isn’t the next upcoming midnight technically Tuesday?
I just wanted to believe.
If the language says Monday night, August 17, at midnight, then the meaning is clear.
It may also say “before midnight,” or 11:59 p.m.
Don’t worry about it. Top men.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Aug 17, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
this morning i read that they offered a 17.5 mm signing bonus and incentives that easily top 20 mm… although i’m not sure where i heard this
by gorilla_baller on Aug 17, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Wonderin about our own first rounder, myself.
by fleerdon on Aug 17, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
10 of top 15 picks from 2009 MLB Draft still unsigned. Lots of over slot signings to be official by deadline. White should be one of them.
That’s Lastoria about 4 hours ago.
Also! The Rays announced they likely won’t sign their first two picks. Damn.
Steel Nick
Was just looking at Nathan’s numbers on B-Ref. Do you guys realize he has a 1.80 ERA over six season with the Twins? This looks to be just as good or a little better than any six-year stretch in Mariano’s career. It may be the best six years by a reliever in the history of the game.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Stephen Head is white, and can play 1st, 3rd, Left and Right. Eric Wedge will love this guy if he ever hits the majors. He is Casey Blake without the beard. And talent.
Hopefully if Wedge is managing him, it’s in the NL West.
This is Victor's home. Victor Jose, you too.
Leave it to Wedgie to play a lefthander at 3b.
by ken from alexandria on Aug 17, 2009 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Huh. I could have sworn there was a time he was getting starts at 3B. But logic (and minor league splits) tells me otherwise. But he has also logged innings at Catcher, Center Field and Shortstop this year.
This gentleman is somewhat interesting: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=525828
I’ve been meaning to get someone’s thoughts on Carlton Smith in Akron. His K numbers are nothing, but his walks and HR/9 are low. His FIP is noticeably higher than his ERA, and Minor League Splits suggests he’s been lucky. But he gets groundballs and pounds the zone with a sinker.
He actually is sort of the anti-Shoppach at the plate. The clevesters will love him.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Clevesters? I’m away for a week and I missed an entire new meme?
The once and future
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Aug 17, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s OK, I like being rebellious.
The once and future
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Aug 17, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
out of curiosity, who’s the guy on the hill for Toledo?
This is Victor's home. Victor Jose, you too.
29 years old, apparently.
Incidentally, when are the Tigers going to run out of people younger than 27 in the minors? Pretty soon, I would think.
With the Tigers’ luck, Ruddy Lugo will turn into a good major league starter. Armando Gallaraga, FTW.
Now hold on a second, that’s clearly Sam Rockwell in a movie about minor league baseball with a twist.
by NickFantana on Aug 19, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Anyone know what exactly these Giants-Panthers refs are challenging?
This is Victor's home. Victor Jose, you too.
Indians and Carmona are facing Trevor Bell Tuesday. He made his ML debut Wednesday, giving up 4 runs to Tampa Bay in 5 1/3 innings. His grandfather was Bozo the Clown on TV in Chicago until 1997.
Then, Weaver vs. Sowers followed by Lackey vs. Masterson.
by palcal on Aug 17, 2009 9:20 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Jeremy Bonderman in to pitch against the Clippers. Also, it seems Scott Lewis has been promoted to Columbus. I don’t know if that is just a roster move to find/make space.
If it isn’t just a paper move. That would make Columbus’ rotation Rondon, Carrasco, Lofgren, Lewis and Gosling.
Neyer is right. He would make Tribe games much more interesting.
by FallsTribeFan on Aug 17, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I can’t tell if this is sarcasm or not.
End of the top. Swindle has been warming, he’s probably coming in, Westbrook.
by JRontherim on Aug 17, 2009 6:42 PM PDT reply reply actions actions 0 recs
Only thinking it may be since it wasn’t in response to the heads up.
Any News on White?
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
ESPN’s Keith Law says he’s hearing "lots of reports of deals that are done, including “unsigned” first-rounders, whose contracts are being throttled by MLB to prevent other players/agents from using them as leverage." He expects there to be a flood of announcements from 11pm-12:30am ET tonight, so stay tuned.
MLBTR DID NOTHING WRONG IN DISSEMINATING MAKING PAY CONTENT
This is Victor's home. Victor Jose, you too.
Top men.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Aug 17, 2009 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Latrell Sprewell says he’ll ask to be traded if the Minnesota Timberwolves don’t sign him to a contract extension by Wednesday night’s opener … Asked if he would play out the season and test the free-agent market, Sprewell said: ‘’Why would I want to help them win a title? They’re not doing anything for me. I’m at risk. I have a lot of risk here. I got my family to feed.‘’ Sprewell is due to make $14.6 million this year. Sprewell, 34, described the team’s latest offer, reported to be worth between $27 million and $30 million over three years, as ‘’insulting.’’
Steel Nick
But that’s not Stephen Strasburg. I wanted to know if Stephen had children to feed.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Aug 18, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
I think you’re missing the point. It was a reference to Latrell Sprewell complaining that $10MM/year was not enough to feed his family.
I will assume Strasburg doesn’t have children, but feel free to Google it.
Steel Nick
I’m guessing no kids, but it is expensive to live in DC, and he’s apparently not going to get the luxury of playing in Burlington, Hagerstown, Prince William County or Harrisburg, where he could build up a rainy-day fund.
Also, I heard GEICO turned him down for some youthful indiscretions, so he was unable to save a bundle on car insurance.
No I get it. I was being a smart alek.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Aug 18, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
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