Last Night's Game
Saturday recap: Josh Tomlin throws 1-hit shutout, offense does more than enough - Let's Go Tribe
Cleveland Indians at Seattle Mariners - June 28, 2014 | MLB.com CLE Recap
Josh Tomlin strikes out 11, allows one hit as Cleveland Indians beat Seattle, 5-0 | cleveland.com
If it wasn't for Kyle Seager, who was the only Seattle hitter to really have a clue last night, we'd be celebrating the first Indians no-hitter (and perfect game) since Len Barker 33 years ago.
Billy Traber's one-hitter in 2003 immediately came to mind as I watched Josh Tomlin mow through the Mariners. Traber had a tougher lineup to pitch to (though the one hit he allowed came off the bat of John Flaherty of all people), but that shouldn't diminish what Tomlin did last night. When he's on, he's my favorite pitcher to watch, and that includes Corey Kluber. Tomlin has more on his fastball now that he's healthy, but I don't think anyone would ever mistake him for a power pitcher. So when he dominates a club like he did last night, he's doing it with impeccable command, perfect mechanics, and a complete knowledge of the other batters' tendencies.
Tom Hamilton was off this week, and filling in for him this series is Tim Belcher, who was the pitching coach for the Indians when Tomlin first came up. He noted that Tomlin was pitcher he really didn't have to worry about, in that he'd diagnose and correct mechanical flaws as he pitched. That's not to say he was a perfect pitcher, but that if he struggled, it wasn't because of his mechanics. Needless to say, Belcher was almost as happy as Tomlin was after he completed his one-hit gem last night.
Indians News
In the span of just a couple of days, three of the best prospects in the system have gone down to injuries. First, Francisco Lindor suffered a broken nose when he took a bad hop off his face. Then Joe Wendle suffered a broken hamate bone. Then Tyler Naquin got by a pitch, which broke a bone in his right hand. Lindor should be back on the field shortly (though he'll have to wear a mask), but Wendle and Naquin both need to have surgery, and as a result will miss a considerable amount of time.
Latest 25-man/40-man Roster
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TJ House will be recalled today (presumably for Nick Hagadone, or perhaps Vinnie Pestano) to start today's game. That will allow Justin Masterson to stay off the DL, is House making the start today will push Masterson back a couple of days to rest his sore knee.
The Indians still only have two players on a major-league Disabled List, though Masterson is going to miss his scheduled start and there are a couple players ailing in the minors. Jose Ramirez just came back after missing a couple weeks, and Scott Barnes was placed on the AAA Disabled List yesterday. In other roster news, Erik Gonzalez is now in Akron subbing for Francisco Lindor, and Bryan Price was promoted to Columbus a couple days ago.
AL Central News
Tigers 4, Astros 3: Ian Kinsler's ninth inning, three-run homer gives Detroit come-from-behind win - Bless You Boys
Remember when the Indians were within striking distance of the Tigers? Me neither.
Twins recall Yohan Pino as they send Danny Santana to the disabled list - Twinkie Town
Santana had been impressive in his MLB debut, but now he's out with a bruised knee.
White Sox bullpen descends into meritocracy - South Side Sox
LGFT Zach Putnam will be one of several Chicago reliever that will get chances to save games.
This Week's Video Clip
After doing a whole post on how Swisher isn't hitting, I suppose it's only fair to show one of his few big hits of the season