It’s Official: Phil Dawson Returns
July 30, 2011Browns Start Camp with Steinbach & Massaquoi Injured, 21 Undrafted Free Agents
July 30, 2011Is it football season yet? The Indians seem to be in an inexorable regression where each night is a contest to outdo the embarrassing woes of the previous game. They have completely squandered a light schedule coming out of the All Star break but it’s how they have squandered that has been so soul-crushing.
Last night, on the heels of a 5 error, no-hitter by Ervin Santana, the Tribe was humiliated at home by last place Kansas City. Carlos Carrasco came completely unglued. He gave up 7 runs in just over 3 innings pitched. However, he didn’t exit because of poor performance. Carrasco threw right at the head of Billy Butler immediately after a Melky Cabrera grand slam put the game out of reach. Cabrera stood there and admired his bomb but Carrasco completely lost it – you can’t throw at someone above the shoulders and Carlos was rightly ejected immediately and criticized by Tribe media, including Rick Manning.
The benches cleared but nothing particularly riveting happened – as is typically the case with these situations in baseball. The purpose pitch was the focus of the post game media exchanges. Carrasco offered up a laughable explanation, “I wasn’t throwing at his head,” he said. “It was just a fastball that got away. I know it looks bad after the home run, but there’s nothing I can do.”
As he was leaving the field, Carrasco was heated and jawing at the Royals bench. I assumed it was intended for Melky but apparently the jawing was with Jeff Francoeur. Carlos has always been somewhat of a hothead and mental midget. He is certainly in a funk now as his strong first half has spiraled into a disaster, coming completely off the rails over the past month.
The Indians season is threatening to do the same. As the trade deadline approaches, the offense is at their worst and most embarrassing. While the Royals piled up run after run, the Indians were blanked for the second straight game – this time by Jeff Francis. On the bright side, at least they managed to get a few hits in this one.
Newcomer Kosuke Fukudome immediately acclimated himself well going 0 for 4 with a strikeout. Fukudome will continue play right field on a regular basis until Shin-Soo Choo returns (hopefully by mid-August).
The Indians come back tonight with Justin Masterson. The Royals will counter with Felipe Paulino. Masterson has been a hard-luck loser all year. Paulino is 1-8 this year with a 4.54 ERA – the Tribe has to get a piece and get back on track off this guy, right? They’ll have to or else your Cleveland Indians will be at .500 for the season.
6 Comments
Yeah, I am starting to really feel like another trade shoudn’t happen. At this point they’re sinking like a rock and one or two marginal or even great pieces isn’t going to right the ship. Stand pat and try to draw some positives out of the first half going into next season.
Per usual, we wait for next year again. We are still in the race. Let’s get another bat and Jiminez. We have the pieces to get proven commodities. It’s insane to think all these young guys we have will blossom all at the same time and make us a contender.
When does football start?
As I was watching this game I was thinking to myself is there any way we can trade Indians prospects for additional defense or a WR for the Browns? LOL
Carrasco should be sent to Columbus after that stunt. Melky shouldnt have posed after the grand slam, but to throw at a guys head when youre down 7-0 is a punk move. His teammates seemed embarrassed by what he had done, they all ran to restrain Butler, but nobody said anything to Carrasco. Very telling, as if to tell him he was on his own.
I completely agree with Brendan, the guy is a mental midget. Its a shame too because he has the talent. But between his fissy fits on the mound, in the dugout and now this, Ive seen enough of Carrasco. Send him to Columbus and then see if we can deal him in the offseason. Thin skin and no composure, Masterson has been losing games 1-0 and 2-1, pitching his heart out. You dont see him throwing temper tantrums like a 3 year old. Reminds me of when I was a kid and I threw a whiffle ball bat at my brother because he struck me out.
Well, as depressing as it’s been, we’ve got to take a deep breath and remind ourselves that we’re only 2.5 games out against a very flawed team. There’s no reason why we still can’t win this thing, especially considering how many of our remaining games are in the AL Central.
That said, the reports are that the Tigers got Fister from the Mariners which won’t make things any easier on us. We have to start winning soon.
Get shown up in front of 20,000 before you call somebody a mental midget, Brendan. I’ll give you that you can’t throw at a guy’s head, but calling Carlos names doesn’t seem to be helping anyone.