Indians Tidbits (2008 season)

[osugrad21]

Canton

Indians fall off the Cliff in Cincy
Monday, May 19, 2008
By JOSH WEIR
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

CINCINNATI Inside a silent locker room Sunday, the Indians packed their bags after a long interleague weekend in Cincinnati.

They probably couldn't wait to get out of town. The Indians came to the Queen City a hot team. They left looking like weary travelers.

Cliff Lee suffered his first loss of the season and Cleveland bats remained mostly quiet as the Reds won, 6-4, at Great American Ball Park, completing their first sweep of the Tribe.

"It was a bad series," Cleveland Manager Eric Wedge said, his team back to .500 overall. "We didn't play very well, we didn't hit very well. You do that, you're going to get beat like this. We need to separate from it and go to Chicago with a clear head."

The Indians (22-22) will try to stop the bleeding with a three-game set against the White Sox starting Tuesday.

Cont...

[osugrad21]

Canton

Indians notebook: Aubrey's first hit a big one
Monday, May 19, 2008
By JOSH WEIR
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

CINCINNATI Michael Aubrey made the most of his first major-league hit.

Getting the first start of his big-league career on Sunday, Aubrey homered in the sixth inning of Cleveland's 6-4 loss to Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park.

"You just want to get the first hit however it comes," said Aubrey ? the 11th overall pick of the 2003 draft. "But it's pretty exciting it being a home run."

Aubrey came in during the eighth inning of Saturday's loss and batted once, popping up to second base.

On Sunday, he got the start at first base. He grounded out on a checked swing in his first at-bat, then grounded into a 3-6-3 double play his second time up.

But Aubrey's day was about to improve in a hurry.

The 27-year-old left-hander pulled a pitch from Cincinnati's Edinson Volquez in the sixth. Aubrey was out front a little, but made solid contact.

"I felt like it was a tough pitch," he said. "It was a 3-2 count, a changeup over the left front, and I was able to put enough of the barrel on it to get it up in the air."

The ball traveled an estimated 339 feet, landing in the Indians bullpen ? good placement by the rookie. He got the ball back after the game.

Any special plans for it?

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[osugrad21]

Dispatch

BASEBALL
Reds enjoy sweet sweep of Tribe

Monday, May 19, 2008 12:07 AM
By SCOTT PRIESTLE


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
CINCINNATI?Brandon Phillips has a different energy when he faces the Cleveland Indians, the team that dumped him two years ago, so every accomplishment during the weekend series evoked a fist pump, a strut or some other flash of emotion. "I want to beat them to the ground," he said.
But there was more to it this time. After six weeks of offensive frustration and mounting losses, Phillips and his Cincinnati Reds teammates were desperate for a shared success, so they relished each of their six straight wins on the homestand, including a 6-4 victory over the Indians yesterday.
It lifted the Reds out of last place in the National League Central and pulled them to two games of .500 for the first time since April 17, when they were 7-9.
"Right now, we're having fun," Phillips said. "That's the No.1 thing. We always knew we could play."
Pitcher Edinson Volquez also sensed a lighter mood around the club in recent days. The team's poor start was wearing heavily on some players, even if they have been reluctant to admit it.
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[billmac91]

would Brandon Phillips be considered the big right-handed bat we need? As much of an ass as he is against Cleveland, he's a great teammate in Cincy.....I've been to several games at GABP where he's the last guy left out there signing autographs and he's always smiling.

It seems strange to me he and Wedge never hit it off....maybe he has just matured. I'm not sure, but damn, if his production ever reached what it has in Cincinnati while in a Tribe uni, he'd have been a very welcome addition.

To state the obvious.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by billmac91

would Brandon Phillips be considered the big right-handed bat we need? As much of an ass as he is against Cleveland, he's a great teammate in Cincy.....I've been to several games at GABP where he's the last guy left out there signing autographs and he's always smiling.

It seems strange to me he and Wedge never hit it off....maybe he has just matured. I'm not sure, but damn, if his production ever reached what it has in Cincinnati while in a Tribe uni, he'd have been a very welcome addition.

To state the obvious.

I think anyone who could hit around 280 and hit about 25 home runs would be considered a very nice addition whether they hit the ball from the left side or the right side of the plate. There really is no need to even bring up Phillips' name because the Reds would never let him go and even if they were stupid enough Phillips would probably not report to Cleveland. Wedgie could not get along with him for one reason or another. Perhaps it was Phillips' maturity but you would think a good big-league manager would be able to handle that. I never heard anything about him being a clubhouse distraction like Bradley so just because he and Wedge cannot get along Shapiro sent him to Cincinnati.

Regarding yesterday, Lee had to lose sooner or later it was just unfortunate that the Indians probably blew their hitting wad for a couple weeks by scoring four runs in the loss. I guess they thought Lee would toss a shut out every time he pitched this season.

I noticed that Ludwig who was once with the Indians is doing fairly well. It would be interesting to look up all the guys who did not hit well when they were in Cleveland and see what they're doing now. That might give an indication that the Indians hitting coach, Shelton, needs to be replaced. I also do not think everything is right with Hafner healthwise and that's certainly what effect his hitting because it would slow down his bat speed. I mean the guy can't even play one game in the field because of a shoulder. If a shoulder is that bad, I don't see how he can be effective when trying to hit the ball.

I really don't see the Indians doing anything unless they are still in the mix for the Division title and the teams that are out of it want to unload payroll but the payroll can't be too big knowing the Indians front office.

[NFBuck]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

Regarding yesterday, Lee had to lose sooner or later it was just unfortunate that the Indians probably blew their hitting wad for a couple weeks by scoring four runs in the loss. I guess they thought Lee would toss a shut out every time he pitched this season.

Alarmingly, this seems to be the only way these guys can win. If the starter doesn't dominate, the bullpen gets raked and the offense is too pathetic to get into a slugfest.

I noticed that Ludwig who was once with the Indians is doing fairly well. It would be interesting to look up all the guys who did not hit well when they were in Cleveland and see what they're doing now. That might give an indication that the Indians hitting coach, Shelton, needs to be replaced. I also do not think everything is right with Hafner healthwise and that's certainly what effect his hitting because it would slow down his bat speed. I mean the guy can't even play one game in the field because of a shoulder. If a shoulder is that bad, I don't see how he can be effective when trying to hit the ball.

I've been saying for two years that Shelton needs to go. Way too many extended hitting slumps dating back several years. Hitters don't seem to improve. I love Grady and think he's one of the most exciting players in the game, he has the tools to be a superstar, but look at his stat line. He's hardly improved at all from his rookie season. Nobody improves. Peralta is a yo-yo, Cabrera can't stay above .200, Victor suddenly has no power, Sizemore is stuck in neutral, Garko is regressing, Gutierrez is regressing, Marte can't even make contact (hell, maybe he never could)...the guy is the grim-[censored]ing-reaper for young offensive players, the Tribe's very own Maurice Carthon.

The Pronk situation is just a mess right now. Sometimes he's afraid to swing the bat, other times he's hacking at garbage and other times he seems to have little more than warning track power anymore. I suspect the shoulder has something to do with that, but I think it's more mental than anything. This is where a capable hitting coach comes in. Instead, we're stuck with Shelton who doesn't seem to be able to get anybody to do [censored]. I am honestly baffled that he still has a job. Clearly, he's good friends with Wedge, because he should be out on his ass. If Pronk's shoulder is hindering him, he needs to be on the DL, period. He has four (!) homeruns right now...four. He's on pace for a .225-16-60 season and that is unacceptable. Offensive numbers are down across the board in the AL, but things are horrible right now here.

I really don't see the Indians doing anything unless they are still in the mix for the Division title and the teams that are out of it want to unload payroll but the payroll can't be too big knowing the Indians front office.

Shapiro won't do [censored] during the season if we're in contention, which it looks like we could be with our rotation and the pathetic state of the division. He's a "stand pat" kinda guy. If somebody other than the Tribe starts pulling away, I only pray that he has the common sense to move C.C. to get some young bats in here.

[buckeyemania11]

Indians claim reliever off waivers - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

CLEVELAND (AP)?The Cleveland Indians claimed right-hander Oneli Perez off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Monday.

The 23-year-old Perez was 0-1 with a 9.53 ERA in 14 appearances for Triple-A Charlotte this season. He was 6-2 with a 2.10 ERA and 16 saves for Double-A Birmingham last year.

The Indians plan to add Perez to their 40-man roster and option him to Triple-A Buffalo.

rotoworlds take

A pretty good pickup for Cleveland. The White Sox were never high on Perez, and they were quick to take him off the 40-man roster after he opened this season with a 9.53 ERA at Triple-A Charlotte. The soon-to-be 25-year-old isn't known for his conditioning and doesn't have closer-type potential, but he might turn into a useful reliever. He had a 2.10 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 77 innings for Double-A Birmingham last season. The Indians will put him in Triple-A.

according to a google search dude has 6 fingers on each hand

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Carroll's tenacity marks his career It shows in good times or bad, as a starter or not
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Tuesday, May 20, 2008
CLEVELAND: Perseverance.
It is a term that defines Jamey Carroll of the Indians perhaps more than any other. A term that he sometimes wishes hadn't become so attached to him over the years, but that has made him the baseball player, husband and finally, father that he is today.
Perseverance is what it takes to toil in the minor leagues for seven seasons before finally getting the call ? even if it did come via a lucky break.
Carroll, whom the Montreal Expos selected in the 14th round of the 1996 draft, spent all or parts of four seasons at Double-A Harrisburg before finally getting his chance in the major leagues at the end of the 2002 season.
As with most things in Carroll's life, though, his major-league debut didn't come as many would have planned.
''Jamey's just got the most
amazing story on how he got called up,'' said Travis Fryman, a former Indians player who is their roving instructor in the minor leagues. ''During spring training, I asked him to come to a Bible study for the minor-league guys and share it with the young players ? guys who couldn't help but be touched and motivated by his tale of perseverance.''



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[osugrad21]

CPD

Borowski perfect in victory



Tuesday, May 20, 2008
From wire reports
Indians closer Joe Borowski started and pitched a perfect inning in a rehab start for the Lake County Captains as they rolled to a victory over the Lexington Legends, 10-4, at Classic Park in a Class A South Atlantic League game on Monday night.
Borowski, recovering from a strained right triceps, could pitch Wednesday for Class AA Akron.
Dustin Realini and Matt Willard each had three RBI for the Captains.




Cont...

[osugrad21]

Canton

Tribe's Ben Francisco is off to a hot start when the team needs it
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
BY JOSH WEIR
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

In the battle between batter and pitcher, there is predator, and there is prey.

In this equation, Ben Francisco is doing the stalking.

"He goes up there hunting the baseball," Indians Manager Eric Wedge said.

Francisco is not a hunter of the Elmer Fudd variety. Cleveland's young outfielder is batting .372 with six doubles in his 14 games with the Tribe, who open a three-game set tonight in Chicago against the White Sox.

On a team where offense has been sparse, Francisco's contribution is a welcome sight.

"He's always been a good hitter. He was arguably our best hitter all spring," Wedge said, referring to Francisco's .357 average during spring training. "He had some big hits for us last year in the big leagues to win ball games, so I'm not surprised by it. But then again, you don't expect it from a young player."

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[osugrad21]

Canton

Indians notebook
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
By JOSH WEIR
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

STRATEGY OUT OF NECESSITY

Asked about being more aggressive on the basepaths, Cleveland Manager Eric Wedge kind of laughed. "We're a product of what we're doing, or not doing," he said. What the Indians aren't doing is hitting. They carry a .236 team average into tonight.

AS-TERRIBLE

No one is struggling more than infielder Asdrubal Cabrera. He has six hits in his last 53 at-bats, good for a .113 average. He's batting .180 on the season. Wedge talked about Cabrera's struggles before stopping himself. "The numbers aren't there, but you know what, he's not the only one," Wedge said. "He's not the issue. It's collective."

WELCOME TO THE WIGWAM

The Indians claimed RHP Oneli Perez off waivers from the White Sox on Monday. The 23-year-old was 0-1 with a 9.53 ERA in 17 innings for Triple-A Charlotte this season. Last year, he was 6-2 with a 2.10 ERA and 16 saves for Double-A Birmingham. He will be optioned to Triple-A Buffalo

Cont...

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by buckeyemania11

according to a google search dude has 6 fingers on each hand

I wonder if he can throw a forkball

Indians closer Joe Borowski started and pitched a perfect inning in a rehab start

Get him back to Cleveland. At least it would be a different look from what we had been seeing for the past 3 weeks or so. Maybe he was the leader of the bullpen and they missed him.

[buckeyemania11]

eh, Borowski should be on a short leash when he comes back, if he starts tossing up 85 MPH meat balls again and blowing saves left and right it may be time to just let him go

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by buckeyemania11

eh, Borowski should be on a short leash when he comes back, if he starts tossing up 85 MPH meat balls again and blowing saves left and right it may be time to just let him go

I guess what I was trying to say was that he could not be any worse than what we saw over the weekend... which was not pretty.

[buckeyemania11]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I guess what I was trying to say was that he could not be any worse than what we saw over the weekend... which was not pretty.

yea thats true, it probably doesnt matter who they throw in at closer right now, nobody has been able to get the job done this year