Game 23: Indians 7, Royals 2

by Ryan on Apr 27, 2011 11:23 PM EDT in Game Recaps

Josh Tomlin is an easy pitcher to like. He works quickly, throws lots of strikes, and understands both his ability and limitations. Because he often works up in the strike zone with his high-80s fastball, he'll give up home runs, even when ahead in the count, but you can live with that because he limits base runners with his command of the strike zone.

Jeff Francis, on the other hand, does all the things that I hate to see in a pitcher. His fastball tonight topped out in the mid-80s (and that's being charitable), but he compounded things by falling behind in the count and then nibbling. That he also took FOREVER to throw a darn pitch didn't help, either.

I haven't mentioned how each each starter did. There may come a day when a starter like Francis will out-pitch a starter like Tomlin, but today was not that day. Tomlin gave up two runs (both on second inning home runs) on five hits in six innings. Francis gave up five runs on ten hits in three innings. Surprisingly, he didn't walk a batter. The Indians batted around in the first inning, with the big blow coming on Orlando Cabrera's bases-clearing double. The Indians tacked on another run in the third, and Nick Adcock, who had been warming up from time to time since the first inning, relieved Francis after Shin-Soo Choo doubled to lead off the fourth.

Manny Acta went with his bench crew (except for Adam Everett) with a left-hander on the mound. With Carlos Santana struggling, he sat instead of Travis Hafner, and Shelley Duncan played first base. Marson got another hit, and seems to somehow be managing to hit well despite playing once a week. Duncan has transitioned nicely to a lefty-masher who can sit and still be effective in spot starts and pinch-hitting appearances.

----------------------

In other team news, Carlos Carrasco is headed for the 15-day Disabled List with a sore right elbow. An MRI revealed no structural damage, but after Carrasco couldn't complete a bullpen session, the Indians played it safe by shutting him down. The Indians will need a starter on Saturday, and it seems like Alex White makes logical sense for the start, in that he'd be starting on normal rest (and of course, that he's a very good prospect who is dominating AAA hitters). White is not on the 40-man roster, so David Huff even on short rest is still a possibility.

20110427_royals_indians_0_20110427211649_lbig__medium

via www.fangraphs.com

Highest WPA		Lowest WPA
Tomlin	.111	Sizemore	-.022
Granpabrera	.109	Marson	-.001
Duncan	.085

Tweet Comment 69 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Would anyone else be pissed if Huff starts Saturday? I’m really excited about the prospect of seeing what White can do this early in the season. If he comes in and shows he can get outs at this stage in his career, we’re looking at a rotation that could potentially be very good for qute a while.

by JLK14 on Apr 27, 2011 11:56 PM EDT reply actions

I’d be furious. Who are we catering to, the 8,500 coming every night to the Jake? Zap somebody off the 40-man, Jess Todd, Valbuena, make a deal if you have to… just get Alex White to the big club.

We’re not getting fans back. People need to recognize that. I’m not saying screw everything… manage the Super 2 stuff etc where it makes sense, but for God’s sakes, catch lightning in a bottle. What’s the downside?

by cheech99 on Apr 28, 2011 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions

YA, like the casual fan knows who “Huff” is.

yeesh

by citrusvanilla on Apr 28, 2011 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I bet they do, and that they generally dislike him. They topped 30k for Strasburg, I’d bet they can generate some excitement for White’s first start. But should that boost of one game’s sales take precedence over properly developing White or managing the roster? I don’t think so. I want to see White called up when he’s actually ready, not when you want to appease the cle.com crowd. And let’s face it, even if you appease them, they’ll forget in a week when they find something new to complain about.

by 7foot3 on Apr 28, 2011 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Strasburg and White should not be mentioned in the same sentence

by Gradyforpresident on Apr 28, 2011 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I know its a vast difference in talent, but your own fans should care more about your top prospects than the other team’s. They got 22k for Santana’s debut though, so maybe not.

by 7foot3 on Apr 28, 2011 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Under normal circumstances, I’d agree. But we’re talking about a starter that was billed as a once in a lifetime talent. White doesn’t really compare in that regard.

by callmrplow on Apr 28, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, we don’t want any more injuries to our starting pitchers.

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

by V-Mart Shopper on Apr 28, 2011 6:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly. Alex White has an elbow.

by gte619n on Apr 28, 2011 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I said the same thing about Nick Hagadone at the end of last season — that they should have called him up when they literally had zero other starters available, maybe generate a touch of excitement.

The key difference is that my idea had no roster implications, because they were going to add Hagadone to the 40-man by November regardless.

by Jay on Apr 28, 2011 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I made the trek up from Athens to see that Strasburg start last summer. If it wasn’t Mom’s Weekend (i.e. the best tips of the year in late-night drunk food), I would consider coming up for White’s debut.

by ameliorate on Apr 28, 2011 4:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh, Mom’s Weekend. Athens, how I pine for you.

"Spring Training wins are good for the soul."

by USSChoo on Apr 28, 2011 4:53 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s great until you work at Goodfella’s and find out precisely how much you hate everyone who breathes.

by ameliorate on Apr 28, 2011 4:58 AM EDT up reply actions

OU grad from 2000.

Thanks for reminding me about Goodfella’s. Now I won’t enjoy any other pizza for a couple of months.

by fivekmd on Apr 28, 2011 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions

And now I won’t either. Sigh.

"Spring Training wins are good for the soul."

by USSChoo on Apr 28, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m judging both of you a little bit.

by ameliorate on Apr 28, 2011 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Pizza in this part of the country either comes with no sauce or with American cheese. It isn’t my fault!

"Spring Training wins are good for the soul."

by USSChoo on Apr 28, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not thinking an Alex White start is gonna draw in a lot more.

by Gradyforpresident on Apr 28, 2011 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I don;t think that’s his point. Think he’s saying it doesn’t matter what we do, people just won’t come until we start winning, so we might as well give ourselves the best chance possible to win.

My watch is broken... it's stuck on Tribe Time
#suckitLaw

by Turkmenbashi on Apr 28, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Ah, gotcha.

by Gradyforpresident on Apr 28, 2011 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions

So you’re saying, treat this one game like it’s the seventh game of the World Series.

Totally ignore the consequences for winning other games in the future, just WIN THIS ONE GAME.

by Jay on Apr 28, 2011 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Jay,

If they do bring up White who do you think they should boot from the 40?

by fivekmd on Apr 28, 2011 7:49 AM EDT up reply actions

There isn’t a good pitching candidate. Assuming the spots of Durbin and Germano are safe, the next most likely candidate would seem to be Kluber…but I’d almost guarantee he gets taken if he is removed from the roster. There are 60-day DL options, if the Tribe felt Talbot could be benched for a longer period he could be moved to the 60-day DL. Or if they were willing to start the service clock on Rondon (a bad idea), he could be placed on the 60-day DL.

How about dropping Everett and bringing up Valbuena to fill his spot?

by APV on Apr 28, 2011 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions

As well as Everett has played (by his own standards) this probably makes the most sense. Its been nice having Everett playing decently, but we are talking long term implications, so I’d say that makes the most sense.

by MooneysRebellion on Apr 28, 2011 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Longer-term, Adam Everett is probably next off the island anyway. Eventually, Donald will work his way through his hand problem. At that point, one, or both of those guys will have to go. Grandpa can play SS and 2B. Hooverhan has been a vacuum at 3B but also has also played 2B and SS. Donald can play 2B, SS and 3B. There’s no reason that Indians could not reasonably find at bats for Grandpa, Donald and Hooeverhan on a regular basis on one of those 3 players for 2 spots deals, with Hooverhan and Donald splitting time at third and Donald also spelling Grandpa at 2B.

"I’ll happily embrace elevated hopes if that is the price to pay." - APV

On Twitter at @grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff

by woodsmeister on Apr 28, 2011 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I think there’s something to be said for having the same players play one position nearly every day. The game of musical chairs that Wedge used to play probably contributed to the poor defense last year.

by Pa tribefan on Apr 28, 2011 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Completely agree. I like having a set Utility man, not 4. I will always advocate having the one guy who can play all three positions (3rd, SS, and 2nd) and only gets to play for whomever happens to have the day off. From a defensive standpoint, I think that makes sense. Which makes Everett currently valuable.

by MooneysRebellion on Apr 28, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yes

by Gradyforpresident on Apr 28, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I agree with this also.

by hans on Apr 28, 2011 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I think the other possibility is that Jess Todd gets dropped. He’s only 25, but he’s put up 7+ ERA’s in each of his two trials in the majors, and at Columbus this year he has pitched 8 innings giving up 18 hits and 6 walks.

by InfiniteMonkeyTypists on Apr 28, 2011 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Think Everett is a valuable role player. Is Valbuena’s defense any good?

by Gradyforpresident on Apr 28, 2011 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

the presence of Hannahan and the brothers’ Cabrera make Everett’s defense less valuable

by APV on Apr 28, 2011 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Valbuena’s defense is an abomination, from what I’ve seen

by gmfrodo on Apr 28, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

My issue is that this doesn’t’ appear to be a 1 game thing at all. All the tea leaves indicate that Carrasco’s DL stint looks to be one of those ongoing, how hurt is he? disputes and I seriously question whether he’ll be able to pitch anytime soon.

Talbot we know Antonetti said he’d be on the longer side of 6 weeks.

If we’re talking until Memorial Day that we have to go with Carmona, Masterson, Tomlin, Gomez and Player X then I think Alex White has to be the call here. Yes you’re burning an option and that could come into play in 2014. Yes he could bomb in his debut.

If Carrasco is supposedly only a 2 week thing then fine. I’m just saying it looks like we need a guy for 5 or 6 starts.

by cheech99 on Apr 28, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree. Moreover, there are just too many scenarios in which we need one or more depth starters over the next six weeks … and that means, eventually, probably White, even if not now.

by Jay on Apr 28, 2011 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Why isn’t Rondon on the 60 day DL?

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on Apr 28, 2011 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Has to be added to the 25 man first?

"Spring Training wins are good for the soul."

by USSChoo on Apr 28, 2011 4:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah and this way he is not burning useless service time sitting on the major league DL.

by hans on Apr 28, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Not me

by Gradyforpresident on Apr 28, 2011 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I’d be in a huff.

by Matt Y. on Apr 28, 2011 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Those look like the smallest WPAs for a winning team ever.

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin

by Spidey on Apr 28, 2011 12:16 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

o-cab gettin’ a little cocky in the post-game… :-\

“It seems like nobody else wants it in this division, so we’re going to take it,” the Indians second baseman said. “Why not, right?”

by citrusvanilla on Apr 28, 2011 12:49 AM EDT reply actions

Cockiness is often an asset in sports. I had no problem with this quote, and in fact I loved it. Having a veteran-led swagger can only help, and it’s something we were missing with Wedge. He was cookie-cutter and boring and his teams played, acted and spoke soft. This is a 180 from that, and it’s welcome.

by jefftribe on Apr 28, 2011 1:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

yea, sowers was a pussy

by silverbackAXP on Apr 28, 2011 2:56 AM EDT up reply actions

This is the old Curt Schilling talk … “Why not us?”

by Jay on Apr 28, 2011 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Of course now that ESPN has no choice but to talk about the Surprise First Place Indians, the topic they choose to obsess over is what a “winner” Orlando Cabrera supposedly is. Karl Ravech thinks that having O Cabrera on your team automatically makes you a playoff team. He’s like a set of magic beans. And that’s the only story they can think of to highlight about this team. I realize he had a big hit last night and everything, but come on.

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

by V-Mart Shopper on Apr 28, 2011 6:31 AM EDT reply actions

You know what, screw them. This damn town could use some magic beans! And frankly I don’t care if we sell a cow or bring in O-Cab to get some.

by MooneysRebellion on Apr 28, 2011 8:08 AM EDT up reply actions

So, the question is: why watch ESPN?

Does your cable system not have MLB Network? I thought it was standard, but I’ve got local cable as part of our local electric company (neither one of the big conglomerates). I find MLB Network to be less biased in it’s reporting, and an excellent place to get commentary on all 32 teams. (The way they talk about the young talent on the Royals, you would think they’re talking about Boston).

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin

by Spidey on Apr 28, 2011 9:14 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

MLB Network is not by any means standard. My local cable system does not have MLB Network.

"I’ll happily embrace elevated hopes if that is the price to pay." - APV

On Twitter at @grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff

by woodsmeister on Apr 28, 2011 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions

exactly. It’s part of a an upgrade on AT&T U-Verse, while things like NFL and B10 networks are on the standard package.

You are reading my signature.

by rolub on Apr 28, 2011 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

My system does not even offer MLB it as an upgrade. For that matter, it does not offer any of the sports league packages (MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS). It does, however, offer the NFL network, so a few times a year I can watch football on Thursday nights. woohoo.

"I’ll happily embrace elevated hopes if that is the price to pay." - APV

On Twitter at @grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff

by woodsmeister on Apr 28, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

That sucks. And it’s worse that ESPN charges cable providers through the nose. I look forward to a day when all people have a choice of sports news providers. I’m tired of people blasting ESPN – not because they are wrong, but because it should be easily rectified by changing the channel.

At least we have choice on the web.

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin

by Spidey on Apr 28, 2011 12:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Don’t most folks have the choice of DirecTV as well?

by Jay on Apr 28, 2011 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions

While I like “Grandpa”, the moniker “Magic Beans” would be so much more off-the-wall.

You are reading my signature.

by rolub on Apr 28, 2011 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

It we were 8-15, I’d say Huff; however, we’re 15-8 and showing some good indications of being real… Call up White. Let’s be up 10 by June.

by gte619n on Apr 28, 2011 8:42 AM EDT reply actions

*Call up White, service clock implications be damned. If he’s not ready, from a competition standpoint, then bring up Huff.

by gte619n on Apr 28, 2011 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions

In many ways, I agree – this isn’t about one start for the Indians, this should be about White’s development and readiness to pitch at the major league level.

The caveat I’ll put on this is that it should be about White only if we’re talking about a few starts. If it’s more than that it should be about the team as a whole. With Talbot and now Carassco down, this has the potential to be a longer stint than just a couple spot starts.

I just want to believe.

by mjmarble on Apr 28, 2011 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree that the decision should be based on whether or not the coaches in Columbus think White is ready to take his stuff to the big leagues. My impression in ST was that White had some work to do to develop his secondary pitches. I know he has been very good at AAA, but it hasn’t been long enough to say he has nothing left to prove there.

We know Huff isn’t close to the pitcher White is likely to become, but except for his walk rate (you might say in spite of his walk rate) he’s been as effective against AAA hitters. I’d love to get a look at White, but I won’t be disappointed if the Indians decide not to mess with the roster and to give Huff another shot to show he’s better than he’s been in the past.

by Pa tribefan on Apr 28, 2011 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Huff’s walk rate is going to get him killed in the big leagues. Again. It’s also going to kill our bullpen, when he can’t make it more than four or five innings a night. I don’t know that Alex White is ready, but David Huff is a disaster waiting to happen.

If Huff does come up, keep him away from Tomlin. I don’t want Huff’s total inability to throw strikes to spread like a virus.

by FredOx on Apr 28, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I can accept the decision being on White needing more time to work on his secondary stuff if that is the case, I’m just hopeful that it is not the case and that the only issue standing in his way is the 40 man thing, which I think is a silly issue to hold him back in the team’s current situation.

by hans on Apr 28, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I am more excited about waves of bullpen arms.

I don’t know how you could have seen 2006 and 2008 and not be convinced the bullpen is basically 99 percent of games.

by Gradyforpresident on Apr 28, 2011 9:08 AM EDT reply actions

I am kind of feeling this as well, but I would include starters as well. Pitching in general is key from top to bottom.

by Roger Dorn on Apr 28, 2011 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Although throwing up a 5 spot in the first inning doesn’t hurt.

by fivekmd on Apr 28, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought the last time anybody on this site threw up in five spots, he went home and his little league team had to forfeit.

by YoDaddyWags on Apr 28, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs

Another option is Germano, I’d guess, especially if (as it hopefully seems at this point) its just a missed start or two for Carrasco. Bring up a plus inning reliever on the 40 to piggy back and leave the rosters intact.

You know, Hagadone would be a perfect fit for that – he’s pitching 2-3 innings every 4 days or so right now.

by mcrose on Apr 28, 2011 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

This morning’s PD states that the Indians will call up a reliever for the short term (they don’t say who). The starter for Saturday still is ‘to be determined.’ I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see them try Germano, especially if they think Carrasco is likely to be back relatively soon. They have off days on May 2 and May 9, so their need for a fifth starter is not as a great over the next two weeks.

by peter m on Apr 28, 2011 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions