Game 88: Rays 6, Indians 5

by APV on Jul 11, 2010 5:44 PM EDT

Even as the Indians continue to struggle near the bottom of the league, the team has somehow become more pleasant to watch of late. The arrival of Carlos Santana, Matt LaPorta re-born, and a surprisingly resurgent bullpen have all been positive. Today's game, though the team fell in the bottom of the 10th, was no different.

Santana and LaPorta each contributed doubles in the top of the 1st as part of a 3-run start for the Tribe. Masterson ran into trouble in the bottom half of the inning, though, and an Andy Marte mistake during a rundown led to Tampa's first run. It turns out that run would have been nice to have back. A 2-out run in the 4th brought the Rays within one of the Tribe, while a Carl Crawford HR in the following innings gave them the lead for the first time in the game.

The Indians wasted no time drawing even, though, as Matt LaPorta started the 6th inning with a single, the first of four consecutive hitters to reach base safely. An Anderson Hernandez double-play prematurely ended the rally, denying Cleveland the opportunity to reclaim the lead. But what followed was four successful relief appearances from Rafael Perez, Joe Smith, Chris Perez and Hector Ambriz. Ambriz looked like he was going to blow it in the bottom of the 9th when he loaded the bases with no outs. But a shallow fly ball, K, and a ground out sent the game into extra innings. Kerry Wood, one of the Indians most discussed trade assets, came in for the 10th and gave up the game-winning hit, a single with Carl Crawford on second, to Jason Bartlett.

The Indians are not going to scare any playoff contenders during the remainder of the season, but they might provide us with some renewed hope for the next few seasons.

Highest	WPA	Lowest	WPA
R Perez	.147	K Wood	-.354
H Ambriz	.146	J Masterson	-.314
T Crowe	.139	M Brantley	-.183

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Comments

I had no idea Gutz had slumped so hard. Since high water mark of 901 OPS on May 5, has posted a 658.

by afh4 on Jul 11, 2010 5:54 PM EDT reply actions

Interestingly, that streak corresponds to 6 of his 8 HRs, though.

by afh4 on Jul 11, 2010 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Jack Z’s brain, however, still credited with the 901.

by Jay on Jul 11, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Gutierrez, in his “breakout” 2009, was still Sizemore’s offensive inferior if you compare it Grady’s slumping 2009. That’s not to say that Gutierrez is bad, just that Grady does not get enough credit for just how good he is.

If money was a non-issue going forward, I still take Grady Sizemore over Franklin Gutierrez.

by xrickx on Jul 11, 2010 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe the “old” Grady. I think you need to see what Grady looks like next June. You might change your mind.

Resident LGT results-oriented boob.

by mauichuck on Jul 13, 2010 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Masterson has been the anti-LaPorta.

If you don't respect Aaron Laffey, I will fight you.

by Cap'n Snegiryov on Jul 11, 2010 6:22 PM EDT reply actions

Apparently the sabermetricians still think Carmona sucks

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/fantasy/article/waiver-wire-al-week-13/

http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/has-carmona-turned-the-corner/

"sometimes the internet is hard for me." - ClemsonGirl

by world dictator on Jul 11, 2010 7:15 PM EDT reply actions

1. They are speaking about his “value” as a fantasy baseball player.
2. Have they really told us anything we didn’t already know and haven’t already hashed out on this website?
3. Based on similar analyses, he also was not very valuable (in theory) in 2007 either, yet his value to our *reality baseball team was tremendous.
4. I am bothered by something in the hardballtimes article. They say, “and a 58.6% groundball percentage, which, while still robust and well above average (in fact, it is top 5 in the MLB amongst pitchers with 50+ IP this season), is below his 60.8% career rate”

Is that really a significant difference?

In the new Geico commercial, Marte sings "Let me be myself" on Wedge's front lawn (with the cavemen).

by V-Mart Shopper on Jul 12, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Ok, I admit I only read the first article. But that one was definitely for fantasy baseball players.

In the new Geico commercial, Marte sings "Let me be myself" on Wedge's front lawn (with the cavemen).

by V-Mart Shopper on Jul 12, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

And terribly written.

by Jay on Jul 12, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah that was after I chided the guy in the comments below that he was misleading the reader unnecessarily, he made a small change (adding the part in parentheses) yet still is trying to quibble over a drop of 2 percentage points, on the extreme end of the grand ’ole bell curve of pitcher GB% no less.

by hans on Jul 12, 2010 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

uh,,, that should be in reference to you fourth point not your first.

by hans on Jul 12, 2010 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Ugh, 10 BBs? (7 unintentional) We still can’t throw strikes?

by dgcambridge on Jul 11, 2010 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

I agree the team has been more pleasant to watch. Some signs of hope, and a little energy, as this team becomes Carlos Santana’s team. LaPorta, Donald, Nix. Talbot and Masterson are impressive. If they keep Jake, they’ll almost have a starting rotation for 2011. Right now, things are looking up.

by odradek on Jul 11, 2010 9:22 PM EDT reply actions

Shhhhhhh – don’t say that too loud.

I just want to believe.

by mjmarble on Jul 12, 2010 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I feel much better than I did a year ago. And I would much prefer, as everyone else on this site, that the Indians break the spell. LeDouche leaving actually left me with the feeling of taking a hot shower and washing off the slime.

by kennesawmountainwahoo on Jul 12, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

The idea that Westbrook is somehow a lynchpin to any club’s success is pretty comical. His production has been below-average. FanGraphs has him as the 91st most valuable starter overall — among qualified starters — and 46th out of 56 in the AL. One thing the Indians have done well is acquire this kind of production on the cheap, and whether it’s Westbrook or someone else, if that’s where they want to put their 2011 budget, they’ll probably work it out.

by Jay on Jul 12, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn’t say he was a linchpin, or even central to anyone’s success. I don’t believe we’re looking at success in 2011 anyway. The Tribe needs reliable starting pitching in order to have the faintest hopes at success, and they could do it with someone else. I’m not advocating for keeping him, just saying I think he would have value to the team. He might be in a better position to be traded in July 2011.

by odradek on Jul 12, 2010 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I just wish Kerry Wood was someone else.

Blake: Thanks to you, I am damaged beyond repair!!

by emd2k3 on Jul 12, 2010 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

Carrie Underwood?

by APV on Jul 12, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Nicely done

by stuart dean on Jul 12, 2010 7:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Bennington prof Kerry Woods, co-author of my favorite in the burgeoning field of Introduced Pathogen literature, the heroic Effects of an introduced pathogen on resistance to natural disturbance: beech bark disease and windthrow?

by YoDaddyWags on Jul 12, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs