Game 137: Indians 9, Royals 6

by Ryan on Sep 4, 2011 6:49 PM EDT in Game Recaps

When farce is the best way you can think of to describe what's happening, then normally the season's already a lost cause.

At this point the Indians have been reduced to biting kneecaps, but they're still winning...somehow.

Apparently someone placed a curse on productive Indians hitters, for once someone gets hot, they get hurt. Today's victim was Jack Hannahan, he of the .361/.426/.574 batting line over the past 28 days. He started today's game with a double and a single, but somewhere on his to first, he pulled or otherwise injured his left calf. He tried to stay in the game, but left after attempting to go to second on a 3-2 count.

Carlos Santana was the next to injure himself, as he turned his ankle on second base after hitting a double in the fourth inning. He would actually stay in the game, though. If he had left the game, that would have meant that all nine Opening Day starters would have either been on the Disabled List or have missed a game in the past week.

But no matter, because the Indians still managed to score nine runs and hold off the Royals for an important road series win. Shelley Duncan led the offense with two home runs and five RBI; his first home run gave the Indians a 7-1 lead in the sixth innings, and his second pushed the lead to 9-3 after the Royals threatened to get back into the game.

Jeanmar Gomez pitched well enough, going into the sixth inning and giving up 1 earned run on six hits. The front end of the bullpen should have been able to finish things off from there, but the Indians ended up having to use practically all of their key relievers the day before the most series of the season. Rafael Perez ended the threat in the sixth by inducing a double play, but he created a threat of his own in the seventh. Chad Durbin came in to pitch to Billy Butler, but he walked him, so Tony Sipp had to extricate the Indians from a bases loaded jam. Sipp would walk home a run, but he got Mike Moustakas to fly out after a lengthy battle to end the inning.

With the score 9-3, Frank Herrmann was brought in to finish things off, but he couldn't do it, allowing three runs on three hits and a walk, so Chris Perez had to come in to pitch. He recorded the last two outs of the game, and so the Indians won the game and the series. They'll be either 5.5 or 6.5 games behind the Tigers by tomorrow morning, so this upcoming is essentially a must-sweep for the Tribe.

20110904_indians_royals_0_20110904164426_lbig__medium

via www.fangraphs.com

Highest WPA		Lowest WPA
Duncan	.144	Carrera	-.068
Gomez	.123	Fukudome	-.050
Cabrera	.094	Herrmann	-.044

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Comments

Just a remarkable season. Have to respect the effort and the unlikely victories. At the very least, we begin a September series at home against the division leader with a relevant contest. That’s fun.

And Grady!

by tabler84 on Sep 4, 2011 7:56 PM EDT reply actions

Crazy, crazy season. That we are over .500 at all feels remarkable at this point. Hopefully we end that way.

by APV on Sep 4, 2011 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions

When I thought about predicting the fate of this team back in March, injuries never crossed my mind. After all this franchise went through with injuries in 2008 and 2009, I didn’t think it could possibly happen again.

But, it did. And it was worse!

by Toxicadam on Sep 4, 2011 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Hoping Grady goes on a tear for a few weeks like he did at the beginning of May

"Mixed emotions. Rather see him hit PEDroia [with that pitch]. I don’t care if he is in the dugout"

by Gradysmanldy on Sep 5, 2011 10:06 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

Detroit taking care of business again. Up 7-0 in the bottom of the 4th.

@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff

by woodsmeister on Sep 4, 2011 9:37 PM EDT reply actions

I think Buehrle hates us.

"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 Sep 4, 2011 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

That really made me want to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail for like the millionth time.

by sandyalomarfan on Sep 4, 2011 10:43 PM EDT reply actions

Wow, look at that. Hammy was talking about putting pressure on them witn a W today. I don’ tthink the minded.

"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 Sep 4, 2011 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

don’t* think* they*

"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 Sep 4, 2011 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks a whole lot Chicago. You sure helped us out.

by clefan on Sep 4, 2011 11:39 PM EDT reply actions

Good fight this weekend, CHW.

by JulioBernazard on Sep 5, 2011 12:11 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah really. To be honest I didnt want a CWS sweep though, because I dislike them more than the Tigers and we honestly have a better team than them, when healthy/

by NewCavsfan on Sep 5, 2011 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Perfect. We have the Tigers right where we want them. Ubaldo, you know what to do.

--
Wahoo Baseball, baby!

by vbc3 on Sep 5, 2011 12:02 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

It’s simple, really, but not easy. Just sweep the Tigers. We’ll be right back in it. September will rock. I know I’m dreaming, but what’s wrong with that?

by JamesPowell on Sep 5, 2011 12:20 AM EDT reply actions

I will reiterate it again …. Detroit better be thanking their lucky stars we are basically fielding a AAA lineup at this point. We may catch them, but most likely not. But this can only bode well for next year.

We have a decent to good rotation. Our bullpen looks competent (hopefully that continues, we know how that can be fickle). And the hitting, with healthy has been competent as well. But geez, these injuries are seriously derailing a good chance at making a comeback.

Not down and out, but definitely looking forward to Sept and 2012 as well.

by talonk on Sep 5, 2011 12:38 AM EDT reply actions

Count me as not that optimistic about “next year”. I don’t see alot to build off of when most of are regulars are injured as opposed to developing, and the rotation may lose at least one if not two pitchers to elbow injury (Carlos Carrasco and Josh Tomlin). Also, a huge reason why the team is where it is, is because of the bullpen. Good luck counting on that again next year (although perhaps we’ll have better peripherals from Chris Perez but worse results…blah).

There’s a good chance this organization spends a lot of money on Sizemore and Carmona next season, which is a nice high upside move, but none of it matters if they can’t stay healthy.

I will say that I don’t expect the types of “Orlando Cabrera” moves this offseason, at least I hope not. I think the front office will correctly move into next season with the belief that they are contending and will make moves in accordance.

by hans on Sep 5, 2011 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions

“Not that optimistic”??? You sound downright pessimistic.

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

by Spidey on Sep 5, 2011 6:11 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Next year’s OCab will play first base. It may yet be Nick Johnson.

by Jay on Sep 5, 2011 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

This should be our greatest debate of the offseason.

I like ex-Phillies prospects.

by Gradyforpresident on Sep 5, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Nick Johnson and who else? ‘Cause he isn’t playing a full season.

by Ryan on Sep 5, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

There were more than a few veteran first baseman who had down years this year and were on one year contracts or will be FAs this offseason, someone like Derek Lee perhaps could pop up. Carlos Pena even.

by hans on Sep 5, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

LaPorta is the new Hannahan. Or something.

by Jay on Sep 5, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Wasting this fabulous bullpen is one of my largest 2011 disappointments.

"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 Sep 5, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Why September is important for Donald, Carerra, and Kipnis. If they can be productive next year as UT, 4 OF, and 2B next year, you field a viable ML player at every position sans 1b and 3b. That’s an easy offseason bandaid.

"Mixed emotions. Rather see him hit PEDroia [with that pitch]. I don’t care if he is in the dugout"

by Gradysmanldy on Sep 5, 2011 10:06 AM EDT via iPhone app reply actions

I think Chis and Hannahan between them qualify as viable.

So it’s just LaPorta then, an infinitely bigger bust than Marte.

I like ex-Phillies prospects.

by Gradyforpresident on Sep 5, 2011 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

I was thinking Carrera has already shown himself to be not viable. But I like Donald and Kipnis.

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

by V-Mart Shopper on Sep 5, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Carrera was always seen as a fourth outfielder type, which I think he’s shown he could handle. I agree though that he shouldn’t be considering in the discussion for starting outfielders for next season.

by hans on Sep 5, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

He does not seem viable to me as a fourth outfielder either.

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

by V-Mart Shopper on Sep 5, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess it depends on what you want out of your fourth outfielder. He provides the most speed on the team, has great range (though terrible consistency) and can not embarrass himself when it comes to OBP.

by hans on Sep 6, 2011 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions