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Game Thread: May 28, 2006

427px-nap_lajoie_1913_tiny by Ryan on in News

Season 106, Game 49

Cleveland (23-25) at Detroit (35-14), 1:05 PM (STO)

Starting Pitchers:

Cleveland: Jason Johnson (2-4, 6.52 ERA)
Detroit: Kenny Rogers (7-2, 3.32 ERA)

This week's Sheldon Ocker commentary touches on the obvious; why sign Jason Johnson? However, I think he's approaching it from the wrong angle:

The GM could have re-signed Elarton or given the fifth spot in the rotation to either Jeremy Sowers or Carmona, both of whom have impeccable credentials as prospects

Signing Scott Elarton to a two-year deal wouldn't be a viable alternative. I don't care if he was the "best #5 in baseball" last year. Elarton's FIP-ERA this season is a positive 1.72. The Royals defense isn't that great (#20 in defensive efficiency), and Elarton's left over 75% of his baserunners on base. He's walked more than he's struck out. He's allowed 13 home runs. In other words, he's pitching over his head.

Tribe operatives insist they were aware of Johnson's downside: a winning percentage of 37.7, only one plus-.500 season (8-7 with the Baltimore Orioles) and an alleged reputation for being short in the game's intangibles.

Or how about saying Johnson is just a bad pitcher? There's no need to invent weaknesses when his numbers speak for themselves. One more bad start from Johnson should be enough to banish him to the bullpen. I would have done it after last Saturday's debacle, but what do I know?

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Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Yeah; I think you're right that Ocker is wrong to wistfully cast Elarton in the role of the one-who-got-away.  That said, this is actually one of Ocker's best columns in some time.

by jdudas on May 28, 2006 12:39 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
I'd agree with that - he gets so close to putting his finger on why signing Johnson was a bad idea, then goes off on Johnson because of his record and lack of intangibles.

But yeah, this is one of Ocker's best. Read into that what you will.

by Ryan on May 28, 2006 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Sportswriters are so short-sighted.  A guy like Elarton has a good year and they expect the same every year despite his track record of being an awful pitcher.  This Elarton-love kills me.

And I agree that the change in pitching staff has to come soon.  We saw the success the Yankees had last year in giving some younger pitchers a chance.  I say throw out a Guthrie-Davis-Carmona-Sowers mix and see who can get hot and ride them.  Anything is better for this year than letting Johnson smell it up on the mound.  Although, I must say that if you look at the stats for this year, what Shapiro probably didn't expect for Johnson was the terrible defense behind him.  With the defense we had last year, Johnson's numbers would look better even though he's still terrible.

by Ghostof WillHartley on May 28, 2006 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Lineup is up:

Sizemore
Michaels
Peralta
Hafner
Perez
Blake
Merloni
Boone
Laker

Looks like Rogers gets a free inning in the third and sixth.

by Ryan on May 28, 2006 12:54 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
the lineup suggests we've conceded the game before the first pitch.

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Laker needs to play more -- and hit.  Victor is obviously struggling and playing im more than any other catcher in baseball isn't going to help anything.

by CU Adam on May 28, 2006 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
this is more like it.

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 1:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
jj didn't stink up the place, either!

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 1:26 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Wedge has hinted someone's losing their job right?
I'm watching gamecast-is there any thought it might be Belliard?

by afh4 on May 28, 2006 1:39 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
unlikely to be belliard, who is going to replace him?

by Alchemist on May 28, 2006 1:46 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
im sure belliard is sitting today becasue he had horrible numbers against rogers (whereas merloni has good numbers)

by Alchemist on May 28, 2006 1:52 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Defense!  

Not.

by Mark @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 28, 2006 1:58 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Nice job getting out of a jam.

by Mark @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 28, 2006 2:03 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Wow, a lead; pitchers getting out of a jam; what is this world coming to? Don't worry there is always the sixth.

by oxforddave on May 28, 2006 2:05 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
they're sure paying a lot of attention to merloni.

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 2:11 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black, I don't know what is.  ;-)

by mkwng @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 28, 2006 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
yer a funny guy mkwng....

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
yes!!!!!!!!! BOTTOM OF THE ORDER!!!!!!!

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 2:14 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Rogers was roughed up in his last start against the Royals (4 HR surrendered). The Tribe needs to really jump on him now.

by MotorCityJK on May 28, 2006 2:14 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Will five be enough?

by Mark @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 28, 2006 2:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Hopefully they're not done scoring. I was at the game last night and they couldn't buy a run when they needed it. If the Tigers can get rolling, that crowd will get loud and 5 may not be enough.
The Tigers TV guys are saying it's just a matter of time before they get to Johnson...

by MotorCityJK on May 28, 2006 2:20 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
gawd, these detroit announcers are insufferable.

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 2:21 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Are you listening on the radio? Jim Price is the biggest jackass this side of Hawk Harrelson. The TV guys are better but still big homers.

by MotorCityJK on May 28, 2006 2:25 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
I do not mind homers, but I draw the line at Hawk Harrelson.  The Detroit guys are not that bad IMO, but listening to Hawk is like volunteering for a molar extraction with no nococaine.

by Mark @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 28, 2006 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
tv feed on mlb.com....'they'll get to jj sooner or later...'

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
A couple of years ago, when the Tigers were brutal, they had Josh Lewin (does Rangers and Saturday Fox games now) and Kirk Gibson doing the TV games. The games were so boring and the Tigers lost so much the only reason to watch became Gibby and Josh. They made up games, made fun of each other and people in the crowd and generally had a good time entertaining  the 10 people who tuned in to watch some of the crappiest baseball in history.

by MotorCityJK on May 28, 2006 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Well, to be honest, I agree with that statement...

by Mark @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 28, 2006 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
The way this season has gone, little faith indeed!

by Mark @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 28, 2006 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
another threat thwarted. somebody pinch me.

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 2:29 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Someone was caught napping!

by Mark @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 28, 2006 3:08 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
A STRIKE OUT PICKOFF????

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 3:08 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Playing well.  We need this.  And three of the next four.  A win out of Johnson would be HUGE.  Get Westbrook a win against the Sox, who knows what could happen.  Otherwise, it's going to get late early for the Tribe.

by CU Adam on May 28, 2006 3:11 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
beautiful. plus we're through the sixth.

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 3:11 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
I think Johnson just saved his rotation spot.

by Kos @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 28, 2006 3:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Agreed.  But for how long?  

He's pitched well against the Tigers this years and dreadfully otherwise.

Interesting that Wedge throws 2 veteran grinders out there (Merloni and Laker) with decent results.

I guess this is why they play the games.

by The DiaTriber on May 28, 2006 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
OK, Johnson is done, and the Tigers never got to him!  I eat crow now.  :-)

by Mark @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 28, 2006 3:24 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
i don't think any of us had high hopes this afternoon.

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
I'm watching on gamecast...

what was that 4 pitch walk about? cabrera appeared to be cruising and then, four pitch walk-they didn't even look close on gamecast.

by afh4 on May 28, 2006 3:30 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
weren't close, high and tight. made me think there was some history between cabrera and inge.

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 3:31 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Good Lord that could have been a disaster

by Mark @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 28, 2006 3:39 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
At least Wedge recognized a high leverage situation. Of course, this was partially his own doing by bringing in Sauerbeck. The tribe is allowed to get lucky once, aren't they?

by oxforddave on May 28, 2006 3:45 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
That was both methodical and deadly, at least as it appeared on gamecast.

by afh4 on May 28, 2006 3:45 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
That should about do it.

by Mark @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 28, 2006 3:45 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Look at Michaels padding stats in won game.  Call him mini A-Rod.

by CU Adam on May 28, 2006 3:46 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
somebody wake me up....

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 3:46 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
That is the tribe. Lose 2 games 3-1 for every 11-0 victory. In games against the tigers, I'd bet they have outscored them, but are only 3-7 to show for it.

by oxforddave on May 28, 2006 3:48 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Currently, actual runs scored/runs against versus the tigers is 37-33.

by oxforddave on May 28, 2006 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
Michaels just took Seay's ERA from 2.53 to 5.81.

by afh4 on May 28, 2006 3:48 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
I would love to see a study on how guys who hit directly after a no or 1 out grand slam perform, especially one that seals a game or at least takes a lead. My anecdotal perception is that nobody seems to be able to get themselves going right after a big grand slam like that. Jhonny's 13 pitches were impressive, but it looks like Ben and Travis, especially Travis, had less than optimal or normal at bats.

by afh4 on May 28, 2006 3:53 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
c'mon wickman...you can't give this one up, so getting your requisite baserunner is a silly exercise.

by afh4 on May 28, 2006 4:14 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
nothing up with jhonny. that was sweet.

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 4:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
The good - We needed that win.
The bad  - We got four with Chicago that are even more important now.
The ugly - Our defense.  Absolutely atrocious.

by CU Adam on May 28, 2006 4:18 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Game Thread: May 28, 2006
adam, you eternal optimist.

by mikehudson on May 28, 2006 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

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