Game 153: White Sox 5, Indians 4

by Ryan on Sep 21, 2011 5:43 AM EDT in Game Recaps

Jim Thome, scoring all the way from second on a double,

A similar start, but different ending.

Zach McAllister started the nightcap, and did a decent job. I think Zach has the stuff to be a major-league starter: his fastball at times reached 94 or 95, and it sat in the low 90s. Like most pitchers nowadays, he also featured a cut fastball as well. He controlled his slider better than his two fastballs, which isn't what you normally see from a young pitcher.

McAllister left the game with one out in the sixth, a runner on first his responsibility. Manny Acta brought in Rafael Perez to face Adam Dunn, but Perez walked Dunn, which led to a De Aza two-run double. Zach Putnam gave up two runs the following inning to surrender the lead. Putnam is one of a group of promising relievers who seem to be ready to make the jump from AAA to the majors, but he hasn't been able to repeat what he did in Columbus with the Indians.

Nick Hagadone cleaned up the mess in the seventh, and pitched a scoreless eighth, striking out two batters. Control is his biggest problem, but he has the raw stuff to get strikeouts in the majors. It wouldn't shock me if the Indians trade Rafael Perez this winter and replace him in the bullpen with Hagadone.

The Indians scored all four of their runs in the fourth inning. Jim Thome singled home Jason Donald, then after Grady Sizemore hit a sacrifice fly, Matt LaPorta doubled home Thome. A Jack Hannahan sac fly ended the scoring. The Indians chased Dylan Axelrod from the game in the next inning, eventually loading the bases, but Sizemore flew out to end the threat.

20110920_whitesox_indians_2_medium

via www.fangraphs.com

Highest WPA		Lowest WPA
McAllister	.191	Putnam	-.445
Hagadone	.138	Santana	-.169
Donald	.134	R. Perez	-.123

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Based on the general sentiment here (at LGT), trading Raffy P would be somewhat shocking. It would mean another team considers him to be good enough to give up a player of value.

After a rough start at the ML level, Hagadone seems to be settling in rather well. I share your hope that he can be a key part of the ’pen next season.

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

by Spidey on Sep 21, 2011 2:48 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I think that progression for Hagadone could also be expected for Judy and Putnam eventually, as both of them have also started off slowly – that was only Putnam’s 4th appearance for the Indians, and the first in a real pressure situation (other 3 were blowout-type games); I’m not sure how many appearances Judy has been in offhand, though I think it’s been more than 4, but in similar blowout fashion as well).

It’s quite possible all three of them could be key pieces in the 2012 bullpen, since Durbin won’t be here (if it’s not 100% certain, it’s like 99.999999999999%), Raffy P seems like a likely trade candidate, and there’s been some suggestion that Joe Smith could also be trade bait, since he too will become more costly in the near future.

Let’s hope Judy and Putnam follow Hagadone’s path and they all improve going into 2012 and beyond. :-)

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on Sep 21, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions