So Long, Devin Brown
August 23, 2008Giants Umenyiora Done For the Season
August 25, 2008
Indians 8, Rangers 7 (box)
While checking out Mo Andrews’ last show before he heads off to windier pastures in the city of Chicago, I was able to catch one of the more intense moments over the last few weeks of Tribe baseball. And yes, baseball is still going on, believe it or not!
But while Kelly Shoppach was easily the hero at the plate with his 2-for-4, three RBI night, I have to give last night’s MVP (and perhaps pie-in-the-face) honors to Eric Wedge. After the six-run fifth inning tied things up, Wedge took full advantage of his opportunities in the eighth.
When Shoppach went right back up the middle with a grounder that tipped off of the glove of Jamey Wright, resulting in an infield single, Wedge dusted off the good old intra-game coaching hat. A well-timed passed ball allowed Shoppach to move to second base. Without hesitation, Wedge pulled the catcher for a slightly faster runner in Franklin Gutierrez.
At the plate was another coaching change, as Jamey Carroll and his .271 average was given the nod over Andy Marte’s .189. Not long thereafter, Carroll slapped a ball to right field, and Gutierrez made one of the wider turns at third that I’ve seen in some time, but still managed to score on what was an awful throw by Marlon Byrd. The end result was the go-ahead run, which was all Jensen Lewis would need after fanning all three batters to end the game.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is why Eric Wedge is going to be in the AFL Hall of Fame.
And who knew that Lewis was a strikeout specialist? Either way, it was his sixth save of the season as he’s been near flawless (save for that solo shot the night before) since taking the reigns a few weeks back. He’s struck out nine and walked one through 10-plus innings through August. And while we’re on the magic number, this marks the Indians’ sixth straight win of the season. If only this couldn’t have happened back in June or July…
Not to get crazy here, but we’re only three games behind the Detroit Tigers. Not insurmountable by any means, especially since we lock up with them for three games starting tomorrow.
6 Comments
A third place finish in the division would be satisfying.
I would just appreciate a winning season.
It’s amazing considering that the Tribe are doing this without their star hitters and CC gone. It makes me excited for next year to see what they can do if “Pronk” returns to his old self and V-Mart. I think the young players have really shown what they can do in this league. Winning the past several series including one against the Angels is a great confidence booster.
I find myself very happy to see them continuing to grind out victories, but at the same time I find myself worrying that this surge will convince them that all they need is one or two bullpen pitchers to make a serious run next year. I don’t think this is the case, as I firmly believe there are some serious contenders for the Karim Garcia Award (you know, tearing it up when it doesn’t mean anything)… Franklyn, I’m looking in your direction.
I like Jensen Lewis so far as closer. I don’t know if he’s the permanent solution, but he’s certainly looked better than anyone else so far.
Finally, for Wedge, he made ANOTHER good move last night pulling Garko for a pinch runner and bunting him over to second with nobody out. It took exactly one pitch for that move to work out.
Anyone else notice that as of this morning, the Tribe has won 7 in a row? Granted, part of those wins come at the hands of the Kansas City Royals….but still.
More specifically, they’ve won 13 out of 16, which has them sneaking up on Detroit for third place…