Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins 3

by Ryan on Aug 30, 2007 2:17 PM EDT in News

Recap
Box Score
Win Probability Added @ Fangraphs

Highest WPA:

Joe Borowski .174
CC Sabathia .139
Asdrubal Cabrera .135

Lowest WPA:

Casey Blake -.056
Travis Hafner -.055
Ryan Garko -.018

Johan Santana wasn't himself all game long, though he regained enough of his usual abilities to blank the Indians in five of his six innings. Fortunately, the Indians took full advantage of his command issues in the first inning. Asdrubal Cabrera, who supposedly isn't as good from the right side, golfed a low inside fastball over the left field wall, Victor Martinez jumped on a high fastball to hit another home run, and after six hits and over forty pitches, the Indians held a four-zip lead after the first inning. With CC Sabathia on the mound, the lead seemed insurmountable.

It turned out that Sabathia wasn't his normal self, either. It could have been his lengthy outing in Kansas City had some lasting effect, but regardless of the cause, Sabathia wasn't breezing through innings like he nomally does. He struck out just two batters, gave up 7 hits and two walks, and was hard-pressed to finish the sixth inning. But he did his job, leaving with the Indians still in the lead. Because of Sabathia's relatively short stint and Rafael Perez needing a day off, Jensen Lewis was summoned in the seventh inning, and set the Twins down in order. Getting onto Eric Wedge's Trusted List is going to take more than one good high-leverage outing, but at least Lewis is heading towards a more meaningful role on the team. Rafael Betancourt allowed a rare run in his inning, and Joe Borowski closed the game with his usual panache.

Thanks to the Royals, the Indians now enjoy a 4.5 game lead.

Next Up: In an effort to make up for April's Snowflake Game, the Mariners are starting 8-4 Horacio Ramirez in tonight's makeup game. Confused? I invite you to investigate his peripherals. Game time is 7:05 PM.

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Comments

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two

I don't even worry about what starter the Indians are facing this year anymore. There seems to be no correlation to the Tribe winning the game and the strength of the starter we are against.

by Roger Dorn on Aug 30, 2007 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Game 132: Indians 4, Twins 3

Wow, Horacio's numbers are pretty ugly. But that means little to this offense. They tend to struggle against the "supposedly" easy pitchers and have done pretty decent against the studs this year.

by talonk on Aug 30, 2007 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Game 132: Indians 4, Twins 3

Let's break down the pretty ugly. His W-L % is pretty at .667, but the same numbers for his ERA of 6.67 is ugly.

by kov on Aug 30, 2007 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game 132: Indians 4, Twins 3

His WHIP of 1.788 is even uglier than his ERA.

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Aug 30, 2007 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game 132: Indians 4, Twins 3

My guess is he's had some serious Beckett like run support.

by talonk on Aug 30, 2007 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game 132: Indians 4, Twins 3

Oh, and to follow up, look at his road splits ... even worse.

8 GS, 2-3, 9.86 ERA, 38.1 IP, 20 BB, 17 K, and 1018 OPS .... yikes.

by talonk on Aug 30, 2007 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

More frustration for the Tigers. Five hits in the first two innings, but they've only managed one run on a sac fly by Granderson. 1-0 Detroit, bottom 2nd.

by Fiddlesticks on Aug 30, 2007 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two:

Well, we definitely seem to have better luck against guys we have seen before. So tonight maybe we can change that.

After tonight, only 30 games left. ::gasp::

by Toxicadam on Aug 30, 2007 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

Actually, we HAVE seen Ramirez before!

Hello Toxicadam,

I understand what you mean, but actually, if I remember correctly, that snowed-out game where Byrd was one pitch away from making it a 5-inning official game, I believe Ramirez opposed him, and we did do some decent damage against him. It's just not listed because those stats were wiped out, but in reality, we HAVE faced Ramirez before.

Either way, hopefully, we hit him tonight, especially since DET leads KC 6-1 in the 8th inning.

Just my 2 cents. :-)

Go Tribe! :-)

by indiansfan on Aug 30, 2007 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two:

32 left, 31 after tonight

by palcal on Aug 30, 2007 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two:

try again, 29 after tonight

by palcal on Aug 30, 2007 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two:

We're 75-57, that's 132 games. 30 left, including tonight, but not including the 11 wins in October.

by Fiddlesticks on Aug 30, 2007 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two:

12 at Jacobs, 16 on the road, plus 1 home game at Seattle

by palcal on Aug 30, 2007 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game 132: Indians 4, Twins 3

Slightly OT, the Red Sox offense seems to have slowed down mightily recently. Last night they let Clemens no hit them til the 6th (Ortiz hit a homer to break it up) and today, Wang has a no-hitter through 6 IP (with 4 BB). Yanks up 2-0 in bottom of 6th.

Detroit still up 1-0, top of 3rd.

by talonk on Aug 30, 2007 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Game 132: Indians 4, Twins 3

Manny is going to be out for at least two weeks with an injury, and he the same injury may be why he hasn't hit well in the past month.

by hans on Aug 30, 2007 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game 132: Indians 4, Twins 3

Not to mention, they're going up against Clemens and Wang. Not exactly Jurrjens and Bale, y'know?

I'm sorry, that was uncalled for.

by ManchildinBeantown on Aug 30, 2007 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game 132: Indians 4, Twins 3

While true, it is Clemens and Wang, Clemens is not the same guy from 2-10 years ago.

But all we've heard all season is how good the Boston offense is. If Manny is out for a few weeks, that will really affect Ortiz alot and the rest of the lineup as well.

by talonk on Aug 30, 2007 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game 132: Indians 4, Twins 3

Point.

I'm not getting my hopes up in regards to a potential BoSox offensive slump, however. Boston's ticket to the playoffs is all but punched; they can afford to let Ramirez rest.

Much as I hate to say it, I do believe the Sox lineup will be quite formidable, come October.

by ManchildinBeantown on Aug 30, 2007 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

CC is leading the league in innings pitched, with 203. Could he be tiring?

He's not a young pitcher, so he should know how to pace himself through the season. Still, I worry about having enough in the tank come October (not that I am looking ahead...)

Great job by Lewis - I was worried after his last outing. He seemed to pitch with a little more purpose last night.

by Spidey on Aug 30, 2007 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

Well, it sure would be nice to put some space between us and the Tigers so we can have the luxury of resting CC a bit.

by Toxicadam on Aug 30, 2007 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

I wouldn't worry too much about him yet. That's his first even mediocre outing in quite a while.

by rog on Aug 30, 2007 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

CC is leading the league in innings pitched, with 203. Could he be tiring?

No. There's little correlation* to your first sentence and your second. It's all about the number of pitches thrown.

*I will of course throw in the IMO.

by nickjs21 on Aug 30, 2007 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

Exactly. He is still 100 pitches less than he threw as a rookie (21 year old?), and 300 pitches less than he threw as a sophomore. He has been worked consistently this year, but rarely hard, and he himself has done an excellent job of being efficient.

by oxforddave on Aug 30, 2007 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

Royals tie it up 1-1 after 4.

by Fiddlesticks on Aug 30, 2007 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

Now 2-1 Tigers, top of 5th, Granderson homer, Polanco on 2nd, 1 out

by talonk on Aug 30, 2007 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

Tigers now piling on Leo Nunez. 5-1 in the 5th.

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Aug 30, 2007 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Indians 4, Twins 3

Can't remember where I read this, maybe a Will Carroll chat. He said something about the playoffs having a slightly revised format with a couple extra off days sprinkled in? He surmised that it could favor a team like Cleveland (with a great front 3) and mitigate the advantage of, say an Anaheim.

Is this true and if so, does anyone know what the change in schedule would be?

by cheech99 on Aug 30, 2007 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Indians 4, Twins 3

I remember hearing that the World Series is starting on a different day of the week this year for TV purposes. Not sure the exact details, but I know it will be pushed back a few days. So that would mean more off days sprinkled in the playoffs somewhere.

by Buckeye Brad on Aug 30, 2007 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Indians 4, Twins 3

Try this link for the postseason schedule.

ALDS B - Wed, Fri, Sun, Mon, Wed
ALDS A - Thu, Fri, Sun, Mon, Wed

ALCS - Fri, Sat, Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun

WS - Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu (Nov 1!!!)

Lots of days off.

by talonk on Aug 30, 2007 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Indians 4, Twins 3

ALDS A then requires a 4-man rotation (or pitch #1 starter on 3 days' rest), while ALDS B can have a three-man rotation on full rest. That doesn't seem quite fair to me.

by Fiddlesticks on Aug 30, 2007 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Indians 4, Twins 3

It's always been that way for the division series. They never played four games on one day, so three of the series would start on Tues. and the fourth on Wed., while one of the series that started on Tues. would get Wed. off. Then both of them would play Thurs. while the other league (that had already played two) got Thurs. off.

The difference here is that the starting dates got pushed back one day, which would help teams set their rotations for the playoffs since you'd now have two days off (at least) before the first game, not including any extra tie-break games. Also, I'm pretty sure they didn't used to have an off day between games 4 and 5, but now they do.

by Buckeye Brad on Aug 30, 2007 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Indians 4, Twins 3

Looks like Sabathia and Carmona could go twice each in ALDS B.

by FranklinScott on Aug 30, 2007 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Indians 4, Twins 3

The last regular-season game is a Sunday. Barring a one-game playoff, that means that only the Sunday starters for the teams in the 'B' series can't go in the first playoff game. So much for the old maxim that it's best to clinch early so you can set up your rotation for the playoffs.

By the way, as of now our starter for that last regular-season game would likely be Sabathia.

by Fiddlesticks on Aug 30, 2007 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Indians 4, Twins 3

One hopes that that last game won't matter as far as the playoffs go & we can just throw Laffey or Lee or basically anyone who's not CC out there & not really give a shit.

by zempf on Aug 30, 2007 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

Man, Leo Nunez has really blown up in the 5th. Now 5-1 Tigers, after homer-double-double-homer. I guess we can't have everything.

by Fiddlesticks on Aug 30, 2007 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

I mean, they are THE ROYALS .. that's what they do.

by Toxicadam on Aug 30, 2007 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

It's good to see that all of the problems in professional sports haven't distracted the MLB Office from what's really important:

"During the second inning of Wednesday night's game against the New York Yankees, [Boston manager Terry] Francona was called out of the dugout so an MLB security official could make sure he was wearing his uniform top under his usual Boston pullover jacket."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070830/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bba_red_sox_francona_style_police_4

What would Connie Mack say?

by Fiddlesticks on Aug 30, 2007 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

He probably couldn't find one thin enough for him ;)

But, I wonder if a manager could plead his case, ala Mike Nolan, to not wear the uniform.

by talonk on Aug 30, 2007 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

Does Wedge ever wear his uniform top? All I ever see him wear is a long-sleeve blue shirt, even in the hot weather.

by Buckeye Brad on Aug 30, 2007 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

Tigers close out the Royals, 6-1, behind Bonderman, and our Magic Number remains at 26.

by Fiddlesticks on Aug 30, 2007 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

By the way, after his miserable outing last night, the Tigers sent Andrew Miller down, and I mean down, to single-A Lakeland. His spot on the 25-man and in the rotation will be taken by Mud Hen Virgin Vasquez. Vasquez got spot starts in May (2.2 IP, 6 ER, 9 H at Minnesota) and July (2 runs on 4 hits in 5 innings at Chicago) and otherwise had fairly good numbers in Toledo.

Tigers press release

by Fiddlesticks on Aug 30, 2007 5:21 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

* Virgil. After that Minnesota start, I doubt you could call him "virgin" any more.

by Fiddlesticks on Aug 30, 2007 5:22 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Game 132: Indians 4, Twins 3

Game 3 of the snowout series, so far tied 1-1.

by talonk on Aug 30, 2007 5:25 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

OT, anyone see the end of the Phils/Mets game? Crazy

by ASP on Aug 30, 2007 5:26 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

today's or yesterday's?

by talonk on Aug 30, 2007 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

today
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=270830122

by ASP on Aug 30, 2007 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Indians 4, Twins

yesterday's was weirder. link

In bottom of ninth, first and third, one out, down by 1. Grounder to short, flips to second for first out, Marlon Anderson wipes out Utley with a take down, runner safe at first. But umpire ruled interference, player out at first, game over.

by talonk on Aug 30, 2007 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions