I know that he has been effective in his starts this season, but at no point in the year should Rick Manning let fans watching at home know that they can look forward to their “ace Aaron Laffey” in the second game of a double-header. It is tough to blame him though as the recently called-up Carlos Carrasco’s welcoming party continued in hard-hitting fashion.
Carrasco allowed five earned runs on eight hits – two of which were of the long ball variety. He did manage to strike out four, but walked three en route to a five-inning outing and a no decision. Fair or not, it was Jensen Lewis who left the first game with the loss after allowing a run in his inning and a third.
It was a rough night for the Tribe arms all around as Chris Perez (who had been stellar over the past month) allowed two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. Potential closer of the future Jess Todd allowed three earned runs in one and two-thirds. Both relievers gave up a home run as the Rangers smacked four of them during the first match of the night.
In the second game, it was the abovementioned “ace” Aaron Laffey who was roughed up. Coming in to the game, Laffey was 7-4 with an ERA of 3.36. Unfortunately, the past was not a guarantee of future returns, with Laffey allowing six earned runs on 12 hits in three and one-third innings.
It wasn’t like the bats weren’t getting the job done. Typically, when pitchers get 14 runs of support in a two-game span, that should be enough to bring home the win. Unfortunately for Cleveland, that is not the case.
Michael Brantley kept his hit streak alive by notching two hits, two RBI and a run scored in the first game; one hit, an RBI and a stolen base in the second game. Also, he was on deck as the tying run in the first game until Lou Marson (1-for-4 with a run scored) lined out hard to end the rally.
In the first game, Brantley, Matt LaPorta, Asdrubal Cabrera, Shin-Soo Choo, Travis Hafner, and Andy Marte each recorded at least two hits. Hafner hit his 15th home run, LaPorta notched his fourth. In his 19 games since being recalled, Matt LaPorta is hitting .282/.297/.521 (.818) with three home runs and 11 runs scored.
Those of you keeping tabs on the recently-added Niuman Romero, he pinch-hit for Jamey Carroll in the second game, finishing the at-bat with a strikeout.
The Indians finish the three-games-in-24-hours series against the Rangers this afternoon with Fausto Carmona squares off against the 15-game winner Scott Feldman. First pitch is slated to go off at 12:05PM.
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If you’re pretty much over this current Indians season, check out this feature going on at the team’s official site. With today being 09/09/09, you can choose your all-time dream lineup featuring several players at each position. Post your nine in the comments – I’d love to see what you guys come up with. It gets really tough in the outfield…
For what it’s worth, here’s mine:
1B – Jim Thome (2002)
2B – Roberto Alomar (1999)
SS – Lou Boudreau (1948)
3B – Travis Fryman (2000)
C – Victor Martinez (2007)
DH - Eddie Murray (1995)
OF – Rocky Colavito (1958)
OF – Manny Ramirez (1999)
OF – Joe Carter (1986)
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