Game 126: Mariners 12, Indians 7
by Ryan on Aug 24, 2011 7:08 AM EDT
in Game Recaps
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So after the high of the first game of the day, the pitching matchup for the nightcap at the very worst seemed neutral. Anthony Vasquez would be making his major-league debut for the Mariners, and although the left-hander had decent minor-league numbers, his stuff wasn't that good (a career 9.5 H/9 ratio in the minors backed that up). The Indians called up Zach McAllister to face him; the right-hander was making his second major-league start. A slugfest was expected, though not to the extent that actually occurred.
The Indians really needed McAllister to only get them to the fifth inning with them still in the game, but Zach couldn't even manage that. After two good innings to start the game, things started to unravel. The eighth and ninth hitters in the Seattle order reached to start the inning, and after Ichiro grounded into a fielder's choice, the middle of the order teed off in their second shot at McAllister. LGFT Franklin Gutierrez doubled, Dustin Ackley singled, and Mike Carp blasted a two-run homer deep into the first level in right field. It was now 5-1 Seattle.
After Shin-Soo Choo hit his second home run of the day in the bottom of the third, Seattle went back to work on McAllister. They scored five more runs in the fourth, all charged to the Indians starter. The final two runs of the inning came after McAllister had left; Wily Mo Pena line a ball to deep center, but Koskuke Fukudome got back to it time to catch it. He jumped to grab it, but the ball hit the heel of his glove and bounced out, allowing both runners on base to score.
Even with an 10-2 deficit, the Indians still had opportunities to get back into the game. They would score two in the fourth, another two in the sixth, and one more in the eighth. And they had several other opportunities to score more than that. They left the bases loaded in the sixth and eighth innings, both times with one out. In the eighth, with the Indians down 12-7, Carlos Santana was up in the count 2-0 with a run already walked in, but popped up to the infield. That defused what would the Indians' best chance to get back into the game.
Afterwards, Detroit won in Tampa, so the Indians lost a half-game on the day. They're now six games out, and any margin for error is gone. They'll have to play at least ten or twelve games above .500 the rest of the way even to have a chance, and given all the injuries they've sustained, that's a very tall order.
(The Indians optioned McAllister after the game, and recalled Cord Phelps from AAA)
| Highest WPA | Lowest WPA | ||
| Fukudome | .098 | McAllister | -.515 |
| Choo | .081 | Cabrera | -.080 |
| Hannahan | .036 | Santana | -.043 |
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Comments
Not a whole lot to say, other than I was hoping they would be able to hold the Mariners to 12 runs in the entire series.
I have seen very little of ZM – maybe 30 pitches. And yet I feel confident saying he has no stuff, nothing close to indicating he can ever be effective at the Major League level in any role. Am I overstating it?
Maybe I missed the conversation, but why did we call up McAllister instead of Gomez? I always thought Gomez had the better chance of being a major league pitcher and he’s had more experience so I thought we’d want to see him start. And either one would have had enough rest to start yesterday so I expected we’d see Gomez.
by Buckeye Brad on Aug 24, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
You’re probably right. I didn’t see the implosion last night, but saw a bit of the first couple of innings. I saw him in one AAA start, and it was a good one. I thought he had a plus fastball, both in terms of command and having some zip on it. He threw it by a bunch of guys that night. But in the majors, I haven’t seen anything good offspeed, and I didn’t think his fastball was anything special last night.
My guess is that when he’s feeling good and has some zip on his fastball and commands it, he could be in a major league rotation. But he seems pretty defenseless when he doesn’t have those things. So he will probably not be a factor…but I probably just described every B and C level pitching prospect, too.
Too many injuries to too many of the wrong people. You can’t keep replacing production when you can’t afford a $100M+ payroll, it’s an overlooked problem of payroll disparity.
It’s been a great season, with a lot of great memories, and while it isn’t over, it’s very close now. There’s a lot of reasons to be hopeful for the future, but we’re going to need some durability or some depth. The Indians will still be young, and that isn’t going to be the case for our rivals in the Central. 2012 and 2013 look like years to be excited about.
Il faut d'abord durer.
by CU Adam on Aug 24, 2011 9:26 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
This is exactly where I am today.
My watch is broken... it's stuck on Tribe Time
#suckitLaw
by Turkmenbashi on Aug 24, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I hear your last point, but with the mercurial nature of bullpens (and their importance to making the playoffs), I can’t help but feel like this season is a missed opportunity.
by Toxicadam on Aug 24, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also a good point. Damn.
My watch is broken... it's stuck on Tribe Time
#suckitLaw
by Turkmenbashi on Aug 24, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
we’re going to need some durability or some depth.
Durability can’t be guaranteed, and depth can’t be afforded except for the richest. Modern Major League Baseball.
Lou Marson fan. Jason Donald advocate.
by Gradyforpresident on Aug 24, 2011 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, well said.
My main concern is with fundamentals, but these guys are very young. I generally don’t find the manager that important, but it’s nice to see teams play with strong fundamentals, and I think that’s one of the few areas that managers actually impact. I don’t think Acta or the organization deserves too much heat, yet, with these guys. Some are playing above their head. But eventually, a guy like Carrera is going to have to show some fundamental development or I’ll wonder what the heck is going on. He’s a total disaster in the field, on the base paths, and while attempting to bunt. That can change, and should. Other players show poor footwork or glove work. I assume that’ll improve, too.
If you were going to tell me we wouldn’t make the playoffs this year, I’d never have been surprised. But this season reawakened some spark, and it provided more than our share of awesome game-enders. It’s been, in a word, fun. And it’s not always much fun. No reason it won’t be even moreso next season.
Your last paragraph is spot on (I agree with the first one, too). It’s important to me that there’s hope, even if it’s not the kind that the cle.commers out there can recognize or appreciate.
Has Zeke Carrera been someone worth watching in the past? I’m not nearly as into the minor leagues as many people here, but I feel like I know most of the names worth knowing; is he a guy that has figured to be a part of the big league team for some time that slipped by me, or has he been forced into some playing time because of all the injuries this year? Because I agree, while there are some tools there, a lot of it is wasted with poor fundamentals and bad decision-making.
Il faut d'abord durer.
Speaking of Carrera, I thought he was supposed to be a good defensive outfielder but he’s been starting in left with Fukadome in center. If he’s not a better centerfielder than Fukodome, who has looked pretty bad out there at times, then he doesn’t seem to provide much value to us.
by Buckeye Brad on Aug 24, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Acta has said himself Zeke is the best CF’er in the system. Fukudome probably is staying in CF over Zeke because he will be the starter in CF when Brantley and Choo are both available to play.
That’s what we were thinking at the end of 2007.
by ken from alexandria on Aug 24, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
feeling this too. Statistically (now writing this after the official loss of the series), they are essentially out but its been a fun ride. the Indians walked a thin line for a while and strayed off that line just a little bit.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!
This team looks like three-day old Taco Bell lately.
by JulioBernazard on Aug 24, 2011 10:09 AM EDT reply actions
It was a great season — one which I will remember for a very long time — but Detroit’s picking up steam and we have very little coal left for the engine. I suppose there’s no difference between bowing out of the race now instead of late September, yet I would’ve liked it to come down to the wire. (Except in the instance that we have to endure watching that insufferable goof, Valverde, making the last out on the last day of the season.) I will hold out hope, but not too much hope.
Still, I remember thinking in the middle of May, Please let the season end now. Alas, we didn’t have the legs. We’ll get ’em next year.
Rather scared. Inquiring about dog.
Valverde has quickly become my most hated player.
My watch is broken... it's stuck on Tribe Time
#suckitLaw
by Turkmenbashi on Aug 24, 2011 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Can’t stand that stupid wind up.
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Aug 24, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s just the celebration. Every time he saves a game he acts like he just lost his virginity.
My watch is broken... it's stuck on Tribe Time
#suckitLaw
by Turkmenbashi on Aug 24, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’d like to think I handled it with a debonair panache not found in Valverde’s celebration.
Formerly fwembt, now co-moderator of Banners on the Parkway
by Brad D on Aug 24, 2011 6:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
I suppose there’s no difference between bowing out of the race now instead of late September
I disagree. I think there’s a decent difference with revenues that extends even into next season. Sure we know that the next couple seasons are looking bright with promise, but for that to reflect in the box office we need the casual fan to feel that, and a playoff race down to the wire makes a huge difference in my opinion. The way things are going, rather than walking up to the ticket office during September, the casual Cleveland fan is getting ready to breakdown the failures of the Browns for the nth time.
The lack of juice that Ubaldo gave us right out of the gate plus plenty of poor play and injuries around him was a failure to capitalize on any added excitement. I think the added revenue and excitement going into next season was a factor in the decision to make the trade.
The Tigers are indeed gaining steam but a well-placed injury or DUI could change that. With 6 head to head matchups left, I’m still holding out hope for the best miracle yet.
by TKilbane on Aug 24, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
While I agree with you about gate revenue, I tend not to think about those things since I’m from Toronto and I can’t go to the games nor do I care for football (much less Browns’ football). I’m strictly speaking about this season and the emotional ups-and-downs it’s provided, with my point being that the end result is the same whether we fail to make the playoffs earlier or later. However, I will say that not making it later = more heartache.
As an aside, I still have a difficult time understanding why/how Clevelanders did not really come out and support this team. I relished every free mlb.tv game as well as every stormy late-evening when I could catch the final few static-filled innings on the radio, straining to hear Hammy’s call. I suppose people often take what they have right in front of them for granted.
Rather scared. Inquiring about dog.
The teams good play didn’t match up with the weather and homestands. The only series where their play lined up with the weather was the recent Detroit series which drew well.
And I go back to the local Cleveland fan’s mindset in light of the overwhelmingly unparralleled lack of success/heartbreak over the last 45 years both for city and sports teams. I don’t think this is fully appreciated by many on this site because: 1) some became fans around the time the team was winning in the 90’s 2) many who frequent this site are living elsewhere.
I can’t say for sure how much of a factor it is, but I can tell you Cleveland fans expect losers.
And, this is a .500 team. They’re competitive, but they’re not that good.
Thanks for the insight. For the record, I am well equated with losing teams. I became a fan of the Tribe in the late eighties/early nineties and I’m also a fan of Toronto Maple Leafs. Lest you think the angst is high where you are, you should check the fans’ pulse here around the end of hockey season. Eek.
Rather scared. Inquiring about dog.
a well-placed injury or DUI
Rec just for this quote.
by JulioBernazard on Aug 24, 2011 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I think finishing above .500 would be a huge win for the franchise.
by Toxicadam on Aug 24, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed. It doesn’t really mean very much but having a winning season will give hope to many fans and hopefully lead to more people buying tickets next year.
by Buckeye Brad on Aug 24, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
While I do not believe it to be likely, the season is still salvagable. This team is certainly no longer in control of its own destiny and will require some help from the CWS, Twins and Royals. That said, there are still 6 games left with the Tigers, and the Indians have played 2 fewer games overall. I still have some small hope that the last series of the year will be meaningful.
Did you miss the egg-laying in DET? The Tribe plays like crap there.
by JulioBernazard on Aug 24, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
I saw it. They had a (really) bad weekend. They get the Tigers at home next weekend, and they still have a shot at this. What (I think) we agree on is that the reason to be pessimistic is not so much the current standings or the remaining schedule, but the trend that each team is on at the moment. i.e. The Indians look awful, and the Tigers are hitting their stride. Ugh.
It pains me to say it, but the Tigers are looking pretty good. It will take an epic choke for them to lose it. Personally, I see no reason to monitor the standings from here on out.
I think that 2012 is looking pretty interesting in the American League Central. One make an argument for each of the 5 teams being competitive. We’ll have our work cut out for us, but it should be interesting to watch.
by jhon on Aug 24, 2011 11:08 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Baseball is a cruel mistress. Still, I’ve enjoyed this season more than I ever expected. The point is, this season isn’t over and I REFUSE to give up. Each game is a new beginning. It’s great just being in the chase even if we’re 6 games down. We were on top for most of the season and our young team got to experience the pressure and pleasure of being number 1. So did the fans. After last year? Priceless! LGT!!
by LeftyCatcher on Aug 24, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I think we finish 2nd in the division just ahead of CHI. A little disappointing given our hot start, but better than expectations were going into the season.
Next 10 games against KC/Oakland leave me hopeful that we may be able to build a little cushion against CHI. And I know we’ve had a lot of trouble with the White Sox, but we still have 8 games against them. Winning some of those could help as well. Maybe CHI goes on a cold streak.
3rd is probably more likely, but I’ll hold out hope for 2nd. Not that it really matters.
If we cannot catch the Tigers, driving a spike into the undead hopes of the Chicago White Sox would be an acceptable consolation prize. I’d still rather catch the Tigers.
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
by woodsmeister on Aug 25, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
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