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05-01-2008, 05:19 AM
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Capo Regime
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ABJ
Notebook
Wedge resorts to tiny tactics With most of his players slumping this season, manager is asking them to bunt more frequently
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, May 01, 2008
CLEVELAND: When Franklin Gutierrez laid down a sacrifice bunt with runners on first and second in the second inning last Saturday, the extent of the Indians' slump became clear.
The batting skid was beginning to affect the way manager Eric Wedge runs a game. Bunting in the second inning isn't the way Wedge prefers to conduct a rally, but it was time to force the issue and hope his troops could eke out a run or two against the New York Yankees.
As it happened, the Tribe scored three times that inning in typical slump-ridden fashion. The rally included an infield single, a bloop hit, two walks and a sacrifice fly.
Wedge has done more bunting, started more runners and tried more hit-and-run plays the past couple of weeks. Sometimes it has worked, sometimes not. Usually, even playing small ball requires players to produce a hit or two.
Cont...
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05-01-2008, 05:30 AM
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Capo Regime
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CPD
Cleveland Indians bunting more as offense struggles
Thursday, May 01, 2008Joe Maxse
Plain Dealer Reporter
With the Indians' offense matching the chilly weather, one way to get it out of hibernation is to go to small ball. That has not been one of manager Eric Wedge's past practices, but the times are changing.
On Saturday against the Yankees, Franklin Gutierrez bunted in the second inning to move Jhonny Peralta and Asdrubal Cabrera over during a three-run inning. On Sunday, Jason Michaels tried to bunt with Gutierrez on first in the fifth inning, only to get brushed back and subsequently strike out in the 1-0 loss.
In the third inning Monday, Michaels did get the bunt down to move Casey Blake and Gutierrez to second and third, although they failed to score in a 5-2 loss.
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05-01-2008, 05:31 AM
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Capo Regime
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CPD
Sizemore, Gutierrez on a tear
Thursday, May 01, 2008 Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
In baseball, one day looks a lot like the next. Sometimes it's hard to tell if it's Monday or Friday because the season just keeps going.
Yet, there are days that give players a chance to grab onto something. A chance to change or grow or make something better. Grady Sizemore and Franklin Gutierrez have had a lot of days like that recently.
Sizemore, after missing Sunday and Monday's games with a sprained right ankle, returned to the lineup Tuesday when Seattle came to Progressive Field. He doubled and scored two runs in a 7-2 loss. Not a bad way to come off a two-day layoff, but he was even better Wednesday in the Indians' 8-3 victory over the Mariners.
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05-01-2008, 05:32 AM
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Capo Regime
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CPD
Cleveland Indians, Cliff Lee beat Seattle Mariners, 8-3
Thursday, May 01, 2008Joe Maxse
Plain Dealer Reporter
A little offense goes a long way with Cliff Lee on the mound. A lot of offense goes even bet ter.
Just for good measure, the Indians used the latter as they broke out of their offensive doldrums by pounding out 11 hits, including five doubles and a home run, in backing their undefeated left-hander during Wednesday night's 8-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. In ending a three-game losing streak, the Tribe doubled its scoring output of the previous three losses.
Lee (5-0) made sure to keep the pressure off as he threw six scoreless innings while his club built an 8-0 lead.
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05-01-2008, 05:47 AM
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Capo Regime
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Canton
Indians' Cliff Lee finishes month strong vs. Mariners
Thursday, May 1, 2008
BY Andy Call
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER
CLEVELAND Cliff Lee had just completed an unforgettable April when he was asked what was in store for May.
"Hopefully, more of the same," Lee said.
The Indians left-hander won his fifth consecutive start and finished the first month of the season with a 0.96 ERA on Wednesday night as Cleveland hammered Seattle, 8-3, at Progressive Field.
"It's more than you would ever expect from anyone at this level," Manager Eric Wedge said. "To have that type of month is pretty special stuff."
Lee (5-0) shut out the Mariners for the first six innings, extending his streak of consecutive scoreless innings to 27. That was the longest in club history since John Denny worked 34 2/3 consecutive scoreless in 1981.
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