Inexcusable

July 17, 2011

            In my humble opinion, today’s loss to Baltimore was pretty much inexcusable.  The Orioles are a struggling team right now (and were not exactly a “good” team to begin with), and the Indians managed to knock their starter out of the game after only three innings.  Despite this fact, the Tribe only scored 3 runs; all of which came in the first inning.  The pitching (including the bullpen) was bad today…really the only bright spot was Asdrubal Cabrera’s defense.

            To put this game in perspective the Indians out hit the Orioles 10-9, despite the 8-3 final score.  While the Orioles stranded just 3 runners on base today, the Indians stranded 11.  When you have the bases loaded with one out (as the Indians did in the 7th inning) against a pitcher that really seems to be on the ropes, you have to strike.  The Indians failed to score and left the bases loaded.  Travis Buck killed the rally in the 5th inning when he grounded into a double play to end the inning.  The Indians were 2-8 with runners in scoring position; another pathetic showing.  Even the typically solid Asdrubal Cabrera was 0-5 today and is now 0 for his last 11.

            The Indians have benefited from an AL Central that seems to struggle as much as they do.  They need to pull the trigger and make a trade for a hitter soon, or they’re going to end up falling out of this.  There were times in all four of these games with the Orioles that the Tribe had a chance to really blow things out of the water.  Granted, they won two of the four; however, they feasibly could’ve swept this series.  If they’re not willing to make a trade, perhaps it’s time to call Jason Kipnis up to the major league club.  Other potential Triple-A options – Jason Donald and Nick Johnson. 

            Even though Grady Sizemore is listed as “day to day,” I can’t imagine him avoiding yet another trip to the DL.  Sizemore tweaked his right knee today; that is the one he hurt earlier this season (the left is the one he had microfracture surgery on last year).  It’s pretty obvious that Sizemore is either made of paper, or he had never fully healed in the first place.  I’m going to go with the latter – he never looked comfortable since his return from the DL and he’s really struggled offensively.  He’d looked a little bit better lately, but I think it’s pretty obvious he was never 100%.

            Prior to today, the Indians were 20-6 when scoring in the first inning.  Putting 3 on the board early looked like they were on their way to making that record 21-6.  Not only was the offense pathetic, but Jeanmar Gomez couldn’t protect the lead as he gave up 5 earned runs in 5 1/3 innings.  I know he’s just been back for one game, but I’m starting to worry that perhaps Gomez is a Quad-A player.  He’s great every time he returns to Columbus, but that just doesn’t seem to translate to success once he comes to Cleveland.  Indians pitching surrendered 4 home runs today, including the killer 3-run shot by Robert Andino.  The Indians haven’t surrendered many 3-run home runs this season; this one was pretty much the nail in the coffin.

            Now the Indians head to Minnesota, where they’ll play a doubleheader against the Twins on Monday.  In game 2, Fausto Carmona is scheduled to make his return appearance from the DL.  David Huff will come up from Columbus to make the spot start in the afternoon game.  Minnesota was pretty hot heading into the All Star Break, and the Indians have struggled against them this season. (To put this in perspective – at one point the Twins were 17 games out of first.  Now they’re 5 out.)   The Tribe really needs to make a good showing in this series.

5 Comments

  • SeattleStu says:

    you nailed it stephanie….inexcusable.

  • John Z says:

    I wonder how many prospects Hunter Pence would cost? I’d consider giving up one of the up-and-coming pitchers.

  • Drew says:

    Many baseball analysts called the Indians a surprise team this year and felt that they were still 2 years away from contending. I think it may be time for them to stick to that plan. The fact that this team is in 1st place defies logic. I wrote before the All-Star break that the Indians could finish 88-74 and win the division. I forgot a key component in that analysis, the fact that Indians are now playing .396 baseball since May 23rd. A full-season run rate of that number is not too far from where they finished last season. I do not think they are that bad, but I also do not feel like they can play .500+ baseball in the 2nd half after what I have seen.

  • Stephanie Liscio says:

    I’m not sure I want the Indians to give up too much, because I definitely agree that we probably have yet to see the best from them. However, when the rest of the division is weak/flawed, there’s no reason they shouldn’t jump on that opportunity. That’s why I’d almost rather see some different folks brought up from AAA, or maybe a marginal player like a Ryan Ludwick who likely won’t cost much in prospects.

  • John Z says:

    I’d be happy with them staying with home-grown “solutions” and letting their talent grow into a perennial contender. I’d also be happy with exploring a big move like a Hunter Pence, who is a very, very nice player, but maybe not a superstar. But acquiring someone like Ryan Ludwick bores me because I think his best baseball is behind him. I’d rather see someone whose best baseball is ahead of him struggle than give up anything for a marginal player. There was a day when Austin Kearns was going to lead the Reds to the title, you know,and now he’s, you know, Austin Kearns. A month from now Ludwick or Willingham or Franceour willlook like David Dellucci or something.

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