Game Seven: Indians 12, Mariners 3

by Ryan on Apr 9, 2011 8:39 AM EDT in Game Recaps

First Place! 5-2! Can you handle this success?

20110408_indians_mariners_0_medium

Highest WPA		Lowest WPA
Carlos Carrasco	.150	Michael Brantley	-.044
Carlos Santana	.105	Matt LaPorta	-.019
Orland Cabrera	.085

After the Indians swept the Red Sox, you wondered if their winning ways would continue on the road. No problem so far. A ten-run fourth inning, capped by a Travis Hafner three-run bomb, put the game way out of reach — and the Indians in sole possession of first place for the first time in a very long time.

Jason Vargas made the start for the Mariners; the southpaw had had fantastic success at Safeco Field (146.0 IP, 2.24 ERA) in the past. But tonight, that history was countered, and Vargas's friendly confines became a house of horrors. Asdrubal started things off with a home run in the first inning, but the real fun started in the fourth inning.

The rally started with four singles (two runs in), then a double (one run), and sacrifice fly (one run). Vargas was removed at that point, and the Indians loaded the bases in preparation for the next phase of scoring. Carlos Santana got his second hit of the inning, driving in two, and then Travis Hafner provided the final punctuation to the inning, a massive three-run homer that bounced off the right-field restaurant.

Most of our preseason prognostications downplayed Travis Hafner's potential contributions. The assumption was that Hafner would be just a decent hitter, not a focal point of the offensive production. What if we're seeing Hafner as he was in 2006? What if that means pitchers have to pitch to Carlos Santana? The longer Hafner mashes the ball, the less ludicrous these hopes become.

Carlos Carrasco had a perfect opportunity to rebound from his shaky first outing, and he managed well enough. He wasn't that sharp (three walks and a hit batter), but he didn't need to be, given the lineup he was facing and (after the fourth) the large run margin he had to work with. He struck out six, mostly on his off-speed pitches.

It was a reunion for a lot of players and coaches. Practically the entire Seattle coaching staff (Jeff Datz, Robby Thompson, Carl Willis, Chris Chambliss) has either coached or played in Cleveland, headlined by former Indians manager Eric Wedge (and his substatntial mustache). Aaron Laffey, Jamey Wright, and Milton Bradley, all LGFT, played in tonight's game. And of course Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo are former Seattle farmhands.

Next Up: Seattle, 9 PM. Masterson vs. Fister.

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Comments

Pleased with Hafner but anticipating him getting worn out.

by stuart dean on Apr 9, 2011 8:47 AM EDT reply actions

Even if he sits every 4th or 5th game?

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

by Spidey on Apr 9, 2011 9:31 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Seriously haven’t seen Hafner hit a ball like that since…?

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

Only natural to hope, but to keep myself sane, I will hold off on speculating about the return of Pronk. He has such a goofy, sincere personality that if he became good again, I could see him become a positive focal point of a lot of the fair/medium weather Indians fans in Cleveland. Heck—he even lives full time in Cleveland. Regardless, I hope that the management is able to manage his time well. Make sure that when he is batting, he is near 100% (or whatever maximum percentage his shoulder is now)

Concerning the mustache. I always liked Wedge with Mustache. It countered his robotic side.

by Kenyafan on Apr 9, 2011 9:13 AM EDT reply actions

by APV on Apr 9, 2011 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs

where is this delightful poster from?

by gmfrodo on Apr 9, 2011 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

If you right click on “properties” you get this http://societyofdave.com/uploaded_images/moustache_robot-739725.jpg

Our best players wear suits.

by mauichuck on Apr 9, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Awesome.

--
"Most players will tell you that even when they're 100%, they're not really 100% ... if that makes sense."

by vbc3 on Apr 9, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Where is Brick?

by stuart dean on Apr 9, 2011 9:26 AM EDT reply actions

He’s on Twitter relatively regularly, so he’s still around.

by Brad D on Apr 9, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

If these ludicrous hopes come to fruition (or at least last 3 months), is he trade bait at the deadline? Or is the $15M+ he’d be owed next year and the buy-out too much to get anything worthwhile in return?

Il faut d'abord durer.

by CU Adam on Apr 9, 2011 10:32 AM EDT reply actions

It all depends on where the team is and what’s offered in return, right?

If Masterson and Carrasco appear show some things in the first half, even if the Indians aren’t playoff favorites in 2011, wouldn’t a productive Hafner be an important piece in 2012?

Then, it depends on what’s offered. Hafner is only an option for an AL team. Unlike when the Dodgers took a chance on Thome as a pinch-hitter in 2009, I doubt even Ned Colletti would pay $15M for a pinch hitter. Then, Hafner has a limited no trade clause. If he’ll demand a team exercise his option, that may get in the way.

It only takes one crazy team, though. The Rays aren’t crazy, but they may have a need at DH and the prospects to pull of a deal. The issue is whether they’ll be in contention. Even then, I don’t think they’re a $13M-per-year-DH kinda club.

by xrickx on Apr 9, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

We’ll soak the salary to get more talent back.

by Gradyforpresident on Apr 9, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I could be wrong, but I think Hafner has enough humility about his contract not to pull any shenanigans if the Indians can trade him to a contender.

by Jay on Apr 10, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes!!!

This is weird though. I went to a Clemson baseball game last night, and they won 12-3. And then we won 12-3 too!

by emily522 on Apr 9, 2011 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

And 10 runs in the 4th? Whoa!

by emily522 on Apr 9, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Perfect wording about Hafner. Texting a friend last night, it wasn’t, “Pronk is back!” It was, “What if Pronk is back?” You obviously have to be cautious at this point. But also, what if his shoulder is 100 percent and we’re just being told it’s not in case it gets hurt again. The only evidence I have is he isn’t rotating the shoulder after pitches, or at all. Oh, and he’s crushing the ball.

by jefftribe on Apr 9, 2011 10:54 AM EDT reply actions