Game 31: Angels 2, Indians 1 (11 Innings)

by Ryan on May 7, 2011 5:23 AM EDT in Game Recaps

The Indians used practically their entire bullpen on Thursday, and came away with a 12-inning victory. So when the Indians and Angels went into extra innings, the bullpen options were very limited. Manny Acta had to go with Justin Germano, who hadn't thrown in over a week, to pitch the eleventh inning. It's difficult to keep a long man fresh, as they are always needed to be ready to throw multiple innings in case of an emergency or a blowout. If none of those things happen, then he can sit for a week.

The Indians offense collected just three hits in eleven innings, and only two off Angels starter Tyler Chatwood. They did draw five walks, but only managed one run on a sixth inning Travis Hafner groundout. Shin-Soo Choo opened the eighth inning with a line drive that seemed destined for the left wall, but left fielder Alexi Amarista made a fantastic leaping grab on the ball. Had the ball gotten over his head, the Indians might have taken the lead and came away with another close victory.

The loss was the first one that came when Justin Masterson started. Justin went seven innings, striking out 5 and walking none; that's a pitching line that's becoming routine for Masterson, and quite a departure from his early days of starting. He's cut his BB/9 almost a full walk lower and his H/9 2.5 hits lower from last year's rates. He's not only made the transition from reliever to starter, but has so far been one of the best starters in the league.

20110506_indians_angels_0_medium

via www.fangraphs.com

Highest WPA		Lowest WPA
Masterson	.232	Germano	-.376
Pestano	.124	Choo	-.187
Smith	.124	Sizemore	-.172

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Comments

Just gets tougher with Weaver and Haren coming up. But, each of these dudes has lost to someone this year, so why not a second time each, courtesy of the Tribe? Gotta scratch out a couple of wins.
Expect it, Tribe!

by smoothrcs on May 7, 2011 7:00 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

PANIC

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on May 7, 2011 7:53 AM EDT reply actions

That may have been the most unrepeatable 8-inning, 2-hit performance I’ve seen. Between the lack of strike-throwing and the 6-7 rocket outs, I’d challenge Mr. Chatwood to attempt that again. The Tribe is definitely slumping with the bats, but when you have 10 rockets/long drives and only get three hits out of them, it’s just not your night.

Regarding LaPorta, the good news is that his swing looks really good at the moment. He didn’t pull off the ball at all last night. The bad news is that apparently he’s aware he’s swinging well, and he wants to exhibit this swing with virtually every pitch he sees. Calm down, young man. Take a pitch every once in awhile.

by TribeJay on May 7, 2011 8:41 AM EDT reply actions

And on the other side of the coin, of the SEVEN hits of Masterson, I’d say you could categorize four of them as Twinseque.

by gte619n on May 7, 2011 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

You’re being gentle, as five of them never left the infield.

The persuasion is not inherent in the lobster.

by Joel D on May 7, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

The cold weather seemed to help him a lot. There were a few deep fly balls that I thought could find the wall and died well short. Meanwhile the Angels had the right idea – just hit the ball off of home plate.

by callmrplow on May 9, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

ASIDE: MLB Network, please do not lead with a hit streak until it is 40 or over.

by gte619n on May 7, 2011 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

I watched MLB Network this morning and they had an hour long show that showed highlights from EVERY game. Blew my mind.

by Gradyforpresident on May 7, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Seriously. They were flipping out when he was HALFWAY to the record.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on May 7, 2011 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Potentially a one night bad luck slump; lots or loud outs and great defense from the Angels. Steal 1 of the next 2 (or better yet, bludgeon one of these guys in 1 of the next 2), and the road trip would be 3-3. Success.

Il faut d'abord durer.

by CU Adam on May 7, 2011 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

Honestly I’m surprised they let West Coast games start at 7. Too late for 3/4 the country

by Gradyforpresident on May 7, 2011 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

Yes, but then again, 6 is awfully early on a weeknight. Is most baseball revenue from ticket sales? If so then it makes perfect sense.

by 9James on May 7, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

No, most revenue is from local TV viewing.

by Jay on May 7, 2011 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Curious about this now, and it might just be thinking this too hard, but is 7:00 the best time to start local games?

Basically, what I’m saying is, hire 6:30!

by Gradyforpresident on May 7, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m with you. Hell, I’d say hire 6:00. Would the local fans really care if they came home from work and the game was already at the 3rd inning or whatever?

by Jay on May 7, 2011 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

advertisers would.

"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady

by westbrook on May 7, 2011 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

6:00 would hurt attendance and viewing locally. As a former Angeleno, it’s so darn hard to get around in rush hour. We barely make it to the game as it is. It wouldn’t be the 3rd inning, it’d be the 5th. Radio listening might go up so listening the sultry music of Vin Scully perhaps wouldn’t be so bad.

by Bogalusa Bomber on May 7, 2011 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Arizona starts their home games at 6:40pm. Of course, they don’t have DST.

by palcal on May 7, 2011 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Disappointing to see the bad luck the Tribe had last night. This was certainly our best chance to win the series in LA. I’m optimistic about taking one from Haren or Weaver, but not so much both.

by 9James on May 7, 2011 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, but one of the next two gets you back home with a 3-3 trip that included games against four of the, six? Eight? Ten? best starters in the AL. When you’re leading the division, all you have to do is tread water and kill time. Until you’re not leading anymore, of course.

by jefftribe on May 7, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Sometimes you rocket the ball all over the park and don’t get hits. Sometimes you dink the ball all around the place. It happens. This was one of those “luck evens out” games that we hear so much about.

"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 May 7, 2011 12:13 PM EDT reply actions