tribetidbigs smaller

feather2On Friday night, Blake Wood pitched his typical uninspiring, meaningless inning of relief. But this time he accomplished the rare feat of walking the bases loaded, and then walking in a run. Many Indians relievers have walked in a run before, but it’s rare for them do so without any help from the offense. Wood became the first Indians reliever to toss an inning or less in relief, while managing to walk the bases loaded and walk in a run without allowing a single hit in the inning since Jesse Orosco in 1990 against the Angels. In the 8th inning of that game, Orosco walked Donnie Hill, Dave Winfield, Brian Downing and then Jack Howell.

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In the second game of the Indians doubleheader against the Padres, Elliot Johnson started the game from the leadoff spot in the order. And because he’s Elliot Johnson, I think there’s good reason to guess that will be his only start as the Tribe’s leadoff hitter. If so, he becomes the 11th player in the Progressive Field era to make just a single appearance as the Tribe’s leadoff hitter. Here’s the rest of the crew…

Rk Player Year ▾ #Matching PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO
2 Elliot Johnson 2014 1 Ind. Games 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
3 Vinny Rottino 2012 1 Ind. Games 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Orlando Cabrera 2011 1 Ind. Games 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
5 Anderson Hernandez 2010 1 Ind. Games 5 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
6 Joe Inglett 2006 1 Ind. Games 6 4 3 1 0 0 1 2 0
7 Hector Luna 2006 1 Ind. Games 4 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Brandon Phillips 2003 1 Ind. Games 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
9 Bill Selby 2000 1 Ind. Games 6 6 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
10 Bruce Aven 1997 1 Ind. Games 4 4 2 1 0 0 2 0 1
11 Damian Jackson 1996 1 Ind. Games 5 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 2
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 4/12/2014.

feather2David Murphy drove in 10 RBI through the Indians first 12 games this year. It’s not an uncommon feat, but it is a nice start for a newcomer. Murphy joins Mark Reynolds, Mark DeRosa, Matt Lawton and Juan Gonzalez as the only new Indians to reach double-digit RBI through the team’s first 12 games since 1990. 

feather2Over the past 10 seasons, the Indians have allowed six walk-off home runs to the White Sox, twice as many as the next team on the list (the Tigers have three). Alexei Ramirez, Alex Rios, A.J. Pierzinski (twice), Juan Uribe and Joe Crede have been the villains.

feather2Corey Kluber left Sunday’s game in line for the loss, but he struck out six and didn’t walk a batter for the second straight game. Kluber joins CC Sabathia (three times), Greg Swindell (twice) and Orel Hershiser as the only Indians pitchers with at least six K’s and zero walks in consecutive starts dating back to 1980.

feather2Michael Brantley has hit safely in all seven road games this year. The last Indian to start a season off with a longer road hitting streak as Asdrubal Cabrera in 2010. Over the past 100 seasons, the Indians longest road hit streak to kick off a season belongs to Johnny Temple, 29 games in 1961.

feather2The Indians are 1-4 when Cabrera bats leadoff this year. He’s 3-21 with zero walks in those games, giving him a .143 on-base percentage.

7 Comments

  • JimM. says:

    should have kept joe inglett in the top spot, 3/4, 2 walks, im just saying…

  • Swift says:

    “Murphy joins Mark Reynolds, Mark DeRosa, Matt Lawton and Juan Gonzalez as the only new Indians to reach double-digit RBI through the team’s first 12 games. ”

    Wow, that’s is not very good company. I hope that isn’t a jinx.

    And speaking of good company, of love that list of one-time lead-off hitters. It’s like a triva quiz for “do you remember this guy played for the Indians?”

    • Sean Porter says:

      Who in the hell was Vinny Rottino?

      Its amazing to think back to 2007 and a very young Asdrubal played second base very well, and seemed mature beyond his years. In the batter’s box, he seems to keep regressing, like he’s the baseball version of Benjamin Button. With the bases loaded in yesterday’s 9th inning, the over/under on total pitches he would see should have been .5.

  • DaveR says:

    ^^Juan being the exception. Nice $10M/1yr contract in 2001

  • Gvl Steve says:

    Mark Reynolds had 10 RBI after 12 games and had 38 the next four months until he was cut in August. Let’s hope that history doesn’t repeat itself. Nice leadoff stats for Cabrera. And there’s the added bonus that at least half of the at-bats were over after one pitch. Benjamin Button. LOL. Perfect analogy to Cabrera. That has to be the worst movie ever made. Three hours of chick flick hell. At least in Meet Joe Black you got to see cutie pie get run over by a bus.

  • The Doctor says:

    given the mets’ recent OF injury woes and their propensity for taking on foolish salary commitments, now would be an ideal time to try and swindle them into taking bourn (particularly since they wanted him badly last year).

  • Michael Glantz says:

    Asdrubal has been a big part of the tribe for years. But he needs to go. Call up Lindor and let the future start now