Game 109: Indians 6, White Sox 2
by Ryan on Aug 7, 2009 11:42 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
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If the Indians hadn't traded Carl Pavano today, then Jeremy Sowers would have been relieved in the fifth or sixth inning by Justin Masterson. The Indians were going to deal Pavano anyway, so Sowers was probably going to stay in the rotation, but with Masterson's next appearance pushed off until tomorrow, Jeremy could go as long as he was effective. That turned out to be two batters into the eighth inning, as Jeremy stayed in the strike zone all game, keeping down the walks and his pitch count.
After retiring a MLB-record 45 straight batters, Mark Buerhle has been anything but perfect in his recent starts. The Indians scored six runs off him, and that run total could have been much larger had they not grounded into an AL record-tying six double plays. Kelly Shoppach led the way, hitting two home runs in his first two at-bats.
Sowers ran out of gas in the eighth inning, and the White Sox had their best shot of getting back into the game. Chris Perez came into the game, and although he walked the first batters he faced, got Jim Thome to swing over a slider and induced Paul Konerko to hit an infield popup. Tony Sipp then came in to retire AJ Pierzysnki, keeping the margin at four.
Next Up: Masterson vs. TBD, 7:05 PM
| HIghest WPA | Lowest WPA | ||
| Kelly Shoppach | .277 | Travis Hafner | -.051 |
| Jeremy Sowers | .094 | Jhonny Peralta | -.045 |
| Tony Sipp | .061 | Andy Marte | -.035 |
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Conflicted right now. Just watched the Castro/Shap video interview. Clearly… doesn’t sound like they’re all that interested in Shoppach’s 2nd arbitration year. Why… I don’t know.
At the same time, Jay’s commentary about Shop “back half 2008” as the everyday man, being more of an appropriate forecaster his “front half and then some 2009” as the tweener catcher seems on point.
I can appreciate the Lee/Vic trades. But man, please… move Peralta before Shoppach.
The “front half” and “back half” references are very misleading. Shoppach was the backup for 61 games last year, producing a 576 OPS over just 77 PA. He was basically the starter for the last 101 games, producing a 935 OPS over 326 PA.
77 PA, 326 PA … these are not halves.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Aug 8, 2009 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Meanwhile our old #1 went 0-6, while the Boston C also went 0-6.
The Sox had 4 hits in 15 innings against 6 pitchers. Meanwhile, the Sox pitchers gave up only 5 hits in the first 13 innings, then put the game in the hands of the young Japanese pitcher making his ML debut and he gave it up to Ramirez.
Rodriguez, actually. The guy making his debut was basically the last Boston pitcher, so it wasn’t exactly a strategic gaffe.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Aug 8, 2009 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ramirez/Rodriguez, I know there is a difference, but I guess my fingers don’t.
The gamble the Sox took was having only 11 pitchers on the roster, which is unusual in the AL these days.
Not that they should have 13 like the Indians or A’s, but after burning their bullpen tonight, it will be interesting to see if they add a pitcher Saturday.
Ramirez/Rodriguez, I know there is a difference, but I guess my fingers don’t.
The steroids don’t know the difference either
"sometimes the internet is hard for me." - ClemsonGirl
by world dictator on Aug 8, 2009 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions
And here I was saying going to see the Sowers – Beurhle matchup probably was not a good idea. Whoda thunk it! I watched the condensed game on At Bat and he just kept them off balance. Nice effort.
Chitown Fan
24 of 29 first pitch strikes.
12 straight batters retired up until the 8th.
A 1.80 ERA since his return to the rotation.
Since Columbus his swinging strike rate and groundball ratio have gone up. His SLG% against now is .216 with no home runs as opposed to .460 before.
Steel Nick
Going back through his game logs, this looks like his best 3-game stretch since his back to back complete-game shutouts in 2006.
by supermarioelia on Aug 8, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
swinging strike rate
This is big (I think). If anyone remembers my rotation previews from back in Feb/March, one of the things I pointed out is that Sowers just doesn’t fool anyone with his pitches. This is a very good sign for him.
Here’s the line:
Only about 10% of Jeremy’s fastball strikes were of the swinging variety. That’s bad (Laffey, not exactly a stud fastball guy, got 17.5% swinging strikes). I don’t know if it is a deception issue, or the need for more movement, or the need for more separation with his secondary pitches, but I think we should all cheer every time Sowers gets a swinging strike off his fastball.
So… does anyone have any clue what he’s doing right that he wasn’t doing before?
Because he should keep doing that.
Spit?
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Aug 8, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow what a game, missed most of the game being out with kids Saturday morning sport, got home to prepare for my youngest sons 6 year old birthday party and managed to sneak downstairs and switch on the game;
Wow tribe were leading 6-2
Wow Sowers was still pitching into the 7th
Quick look at the box score Wow Kelly went deep twice
Wow Sowers out to pitch in the 8th
Popped back down to see Sowers leave the game and Perez walked his first batter to lead the bases.
Back down again Wow we escaped without giving up a run in the 8th, lets out an “all right”!!!
Wow Crowe dropped that fly ball…..
Tribe win, happy man for reminder of the day and a crowd of 6 year old boys running around the house couldn’t upset me after that.
One day I'll get over to watch the Tribe play
by new zealand tribe fan on Aug 8, 2009 4:00 AM EDT reply actions
Do you suffer from poor moods and annoying children? Well then call your doctor today and ask if a Tribe Victory is right for you.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
by USSChoo on Aug 8, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
someone needs to explain to me why sal fasano is on our injury list for the game tonite on espn.com preview….
Sort of an existential question … can one be day-to-day for three years?
Should one not strive to be day-to-day, all the days of one’s life?
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Aug 8, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Groin injury.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Aug 8, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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