The ship is sinking.
The Indians sit now 5.5 games back of Detroit as the Tigers finished the sweep that sends the Indians spiraling down with their seventh straight loss.
There’s really not much to say about this game that is much different than any of the others of late. Justin Masterson pitched well enough to win (7 INN/6 H/4 R/4 SO/3 BB), but Don Kelly (!!!!!!) supplied the big blow as he golfed a down-and-in sinker just over the wall in right field for the game-winner.
Kelly, by the way, is batting .198 on the year. You can live with Cabrera or Fielder beating you. Kelly just feels like cruel and unusual punishment.
One of the things that vexed the Indians even when things were going well was facing the unknown starter, and that held true again today. Using mostly his off-speed and breaking pitches, Jose Alvarez (6 INN/3 H/1 ER/7 SO/1 BB) made his Major League debut by eating an already-struggling team alive. Whereas we saw Carlos Carrasco pitch scared yesterday, Alvarez rewarded the Tigers faith in him by attacking the Indians hitters like a grizzled and crafty left-handed veteran. Taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning, it was then when former Tiger Ryan Raburn would supply the Tribe’s only run, his seventh of the season.
But hey, Nick Swisher got a base hit.
Anybody looking forward to Texas?
W: Jose Alvarez (1-0); L: Justin Masterson (8-5); S: Joaquin Benoit (3)
Player of the Game: Jose Alverez
Call up Chisenhall, keep Carrasco in the rotation and play them the rest of the season in Cleveland. Its apparent both can dominate AAA, but neither has proven anything up in the majors. The Indians need to see if either/both/neither can be counted on for next year.
Sell off players who do not have a long term future with this team, and give the Royals a call to inquire about trading for Billy Butler. He’s under contract for the next two seasons (team option in ’15), can DH and play 1b a bit, and is a professional hitter. He’d be perfect for this lineup in either the #3 or #4 spot. With the Royals sputtering again despite their big offseason, I have a feeling Butler is a guy they’d unload.
I am embarrassed…embarrassed to be a fan of this team right now, to watch them play, to watch them get humiliated publicly day after day by pitchers I’ve never heard of. I agree with Sean and would add Trevor Bauer to the list of guys to bring up and get some experience for next year. This team is obviously very flawed despite the much-heralded offseason makeover, and will not be competing this year. Three quarters of the lineup is hitting .240 and swinging for the fences on every pitch. When you have to take three or four running steps to keep from falling down after a swing, you are swinging too hard. The fact that “veteran” players have to be told that doesn’t say much.
our season is like my golf game…the parts can definitely get the job done (and very well!) but there’s always a part that decides to not do whats its supposed to and….well…the reason why i’m typing here and not golfing for a living is the result!
I’m a lifelong Mariners fan. Now you know how I feel!
I wonder if losing is contagious..since your beloved, once-in-first-place Indians swept my beloved Mariners, your team can’t seem to win either!