Game 92: Indians 7, Tigers 2
by Ryan on Jul 18, 2010 5:00 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
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19 years ago, the Indians swept the Tigers in a four-game series in Cleveland, the last time they accomplished that feat until today. Unfortunately, that series sweep was one of the only highlights of the season, for the Indians would go on to lose a franchise-worst 105 games that season. On that team there were several building blocks, including Carlos Baerga, Albert Belle, and Charles Nagy, but that didn't translate into victories that season. Like that club, this year's team was on track to lose 100 games before the series, and the 1991 Tigers, like today's opponents, were that year in contention for a division crown. Hopefully, instead of serving as an oasis in the midst of a desert of a season like it did in 1991, this sweep will serve as an impetus for nice things in the second half of the 2010 season.
After yesterday's doubleheader, Manny Acta was hoping that Jeanmar Gomez, who was making his major-league debut, could pitch five innings and have the Indians within hailing distance of the Tigers. Gomez, who apparently wouldn't have been up if not for a premeture tweet by David Huff's Twitter account, was having some troubles with AAA after a breakout season in Kinston and Akron, but because he was on the 40-man roster, was the logical choice to make the spot start after Huff was eliminated from the equation. The tall and lanky 22-year-old looked nothing like his AAA stats indicated; he was in the strike zone all game long, throwing almost twice as many strikes as balls (92 total pitches), and wasn't fazed at all by the situation and the opponents. Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera managed one hit between them, and without their two offensive stalwarts producing, the rest of the Tigers lineup couldn't manage much. Gomez pitch seven strong innings, only giving up two unearned runs and walking only one hitter. Because of the score, Manny Acta had the luxury of using Hector Ambriz to finish the game, and giving a tired back end of the bullpen a much-needed day off.
The Tigers sent out a rookie of their own to face the Indians. Vermillion native Andrew Oliver made his fifth major-league start against the Indians, and this 22-year-old pitched his age, walking 5 in 3.2 innings. The big blow came an unexpected quarter, an inside-the-park home run off the bat of...Jhonny Peralta. Peralta was making his first start after surviving a bout with the flu. But when center fielder Ryan Raburn crashed into the bullpen door in the right-center instead of catching Peralta's deep drive, Peralta had enough speed to get around the bases before the left fielder could recover the ball and throw it into the infield. Two runners scored ahead of Peralta, and the Indians wouldn't look back. They would score two more runs in the fourth, and additional runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Peralta scored the seventh inning run, having to chug around the bases to score on a Matt LaPorta triple.
| Highest WPA | Lowest WPA | ||
| Jeanmar Gomez | .214 | Austin Kearns | -.047 |
| Jhonny Peralta | .210 | Andy Marte | -.013 |
| Matt LaPorta | .042 | Jason Donald | -.008 |
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And the Twinkies just scored 4 in the ninth to knock off the White Sox for the third day in a row. In a non-contending year, just about everything went perfect this weekend.
by kennesawmountainwahoo on Jul 18, 2010 5:27 PM EDT reply actions
The Twins sweeping anybody and perfect weekend just don’t go together. I won’t root for any of our central foes to win the division, but I think these days, I hate the White Sox least.
The days of the Twins being the “little guy” in terms of financial resources appear to be over. The 2010 payrolls for the three contenders:
Detroit: 133 M
Chicago: 103 M
Minnesota: 97 M
As of today, the Twins have more payroll committed for 2011 than the other two. They already have 72 million committed and quite a few holes to fill. Also, with the Tigers have nearly 80 M coming off the books, it should be a telling off-season in the spending directions of the division.
Re: the Tigers, $45M of that $55M is tied up in three guys (Verlander, Cabrera, and Guillen). They lose Inge, Bonderman, Damon, and probably Ordonez (small chance a $15M option vests on Ordonez for 2011, but only if they ride him down the stretch). They’re going to have to spend or they won’t be able to fill out a roster, unless they’re going internal at 3B, SS, LF/DH, and RF. I can’t imagine them coming in at anything less than $80M.
I hear ya. My thinking was simple math. I’d rather be 12.5 games out than 15.5. (and I know we’re not winning anything this year). Other than the Yankees, my disdain for other foes tends to ebb and flow.
by kennesawmountainwahoo on Jul 18, 2010 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Gomez looked good. His fastball moves, and when he spots it on the outside corner when facing righties, they give up on it before it rides in to catch the corner. He k’d Magglio and Cabrera looking back to back on that pitch.
So, does he deserve another start? In a year where we’re trying to see what the future will bring, an impressive start like that has got to generate a little stroking of chin hairs amongst the brass.
Yes he deserves another start, but he can’t replace Laffey or Masterson and pitch on 0/1 day(s) rest. He also won’t be replacing Westbrook or Carmona without a trade… and unless we shut down Talbot at an innings limit at some point, that spot isn’t opening up either.
Must not be here for baseball either. Because that isn't what we're playing.
He can also go back to AAA, stop walking people, start striking out people, and stop giving up homeruns. I have a feeling if he can’t do those things consistently at AAA, he won’t do them consistently at the major league level either.
David Huff responds in Cbus by going 7 scoreless innings and giving up just 2 hits. Of course, he only struck out three and added three walks, just to make sure we’re all aware that, at least for one night, nothing really changed.
Last start, he walked none and struck out four…in three innings, while giving up 10 hits and seven runs.
No happy medium.
How long until his mother texts Tony?
Over/under of 0 minutes, with the under obviously being “already sent”.
Also obviously, this is not Vegas.
Must not be here for baseball either. Because that isn't what we're playing.
Just as an update on that, the defensive comments from his agent (“because apparently this was such a big deal”) make me wonder if he wasn’t the real culprit.
We all know it was Brenda Warner.
Blake: Thanks to you, I am damaged beyond repair!!
by emd2k3 on Jul 18, 2010 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I like the result, regardless.
by kennesawmountainwahoo on Jul 18, 2010 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Because they told him not to tell anyone, and 15 minutes later, it was announced to the public. 15 minutes!
In today’s media, they either have to insist on PR discipline or abandon it entirely. I don’t see any middle ground, really.
Lying after the fact and saying your account was hacked probably didn’t help either.
by The Grimace on Jul 19, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
So, when I was trying to figure out the broken link, it seemed like it was posted from his linked Facebook account – where the link still worked on some level, even though the twitter account was killed. There was a matching facebook post, that disappeared shortly after Mr. Kingsbury3 started posting his twitters about huff not having a twitter. Anyway, none of this means anything but it seems like someone jumped the gun on the FB account and then they tried to backtrack quickly. For whatever that is all worth
by Brick. on Jul 18, 2010 10:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This was a fun weekend. I wonder those Tigers fans who were asking why we didn’t follow a real team are thinking now.
One of the guys who throws out merchandise between innings walked back up our section on his way back to wherever. A Tiger fan leaned out and asked if he had anything else. The guy, after scanning the Tiger fan’s attire, replied “not for you, douchebag” and earned himself a nice round of applause.
“oasis in the midst of a desert of a season”
The 1991 season was a desert, yes, but that series still turned out to be hiking distance from pretty lush climes.
These past four games were a blast. I think we’re somewhere. At least it feels that way.
From, Ben
We slide thirstily over summer sands
And squint at distant shimmers in the heat.
Are these the waters that our landlock’d hands
Have sought, or will this chimera retreat?
This month is noted more for what is not:
Jackass George and LeBron, unlamented;
A rose for Harvey’s bier and Lou Brown’s plot.
(Tears reserved for Class that’s owned, not rented.)
Who will, by July’s end, join with these ghosts?
We scan the faces of our sturdy crew:
Will Jake or Jhonny head for other coasts?
And what new men will wear our Chief Wahoo?
Is this a mirage or an oasis?
Is this forward movement, or just stasis?
by YoDaddyWags on Jul 19, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
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