Tribe Continues Shopping at Pacific Rim
September 17, 2008What Would You Give Up For…
September 17, 2008Indians 12 Twins 9, 11 Innings (Box)
Victor Martinez came through with a three run shot to the Tribe bullpen off Minnesota closer Joe Nathan. As big a win as it was for Cleveland (who led 8-1 early on) it was more of a devastating loss to the Twins. Minnesota dropped to 2.5 games behind the White Sox, and face AL Cy Young candidate Cliff Lee tonight.
For Martinez, it was his 2nd homer since coming back from rehab. He is hitting .333 for September, with 13 RBI in 11 games. Grady Sizemore’s 9th inning home run tied the game, and extended his hitting streak to 6 games. Perhaps Grady is putting his slump behind him. Zach Jackson got tagged with 7 earned runs, and has given up 20 in his last 4 starts.
The Indians lost another pitcher to injury, as the team announced that Anthony Reyes will not make another start this year with elbow inflammation. Reyes certainly won’t be lonely on the injury report.
Cliff Lee can start pounding nails in the Twins coffin by earning his 23rd win tonight. With only 11 games to play (4 against Tampa Bay, 3 against Chicago, 3 against KC) Minnesota can’t afford to fall any further behind the White Sox. The Indians have that same number of games to reach the .500 mark this season. Currently the team is 74-77, and has had a severe allergic reaction to the even mark all season. Before last weekend’s fiasco the Tribe was merely 2 games under. It’s something to shoot for anyways…
3 Comments
Hopefully a positive sign that Victor is truly healthy and that his number might pick back up in 2009.
First walk off homer Nathan has EVER given up. First walk off homer Victor has EVER hit. Hell of a game.
I mentioned earlier (I think it was in July after the Indians snapped their ten-game losing streak by beating the Rays) that the Tribe was undefeated this year while I was at the Jake. After this game, they are 5-0, and I’m done for the year. Just imagine how much better they could have done if I had gone to more games.
On an thoroughly unrelated note, I’m willing to accept free tickets to Indians games next year…preferably somewhere nice.