White Sox 3, Indians 2; 10 innings (box)
Joe Borowski summed up the entire season in four short words. Thanks Joe. At least we can count on you for something. We certainly won’t be handing you the ball to face Alexei Ramirez anytime soon. Part of me is happy that Borowski owned his mistake-
“This is not fun,” said Borowski. “Especially in the position we’re in now — playing catch-up. You can’t afford to let game get away. The guys did a great job of sticking in there. We got an opportunity and I let it slip away.”
But mostly, I wish Joe would find a red tag in his locker. This was Joe’s 4th blown save in 10 chances. Anyone know if Kyra Sedgwick is available?
Let’s go back a few weeks. Come with me into the WFNY Wayback machine. It’s June 6th. The Indians have just given Paul Byrd his 100th victory, a 4-2 win over the Tigers. (Actually, that was his last win as well…) The Indians were 5.5 games under .500, and 6.5 games behind the White Sox-
The next 3 weeks are critical. Actually, the next 24 games. Unfortunately, they will begin inter-league play after the Twins come to town next week. This is unfortunate because it is entirely possible for the Indians to play well and not make up any ground in the Central. At the tail end of this 3 or 4 week stretch the Tribe will play the White Sox for 3 games. If they are still sitting 6 games out after that series, I think Shapiro may start to field calls for the Tribe Ace.
What kind of record will it take to catch the White Sox? I’m not sure, but the Indians had better start playing above .500 ball. There is no room for error. Yes, Westbrook and Carmona being out hurts. Yes, Betancourt is due to go on the DL any day now with the next mystery injury. Yes, the Indians will have to make this run with the hitters we already have. Can they do it? Sure they can…but will they? Stay tuned…
So? How’d that 24 game stretch go? (Yes, I know there is one more game to be played against the White Sox…let’s not pretend like that matters at this point.) They went 9-14, and have fallen into last place, 11.5 games behind the White Sox. It is hard to be positive about this team anymore.
I am positive that the Indians are going to be fielding calls for more than just Sabathia. In fact, Jason Stark seems to think that Rafael Perez, Rafael Betancourt, Franklin Gutierrez (!) and Casey Blake could all be moved if the Indians wanted to. I would like to see them keep Perez, but I wouldn’t put up much of a fight if they got a quality prospect for him. If anybody wants Frank the Tank please feel free. Casey Blake is only working on a one year deal, and more than likely won’t be back next season. He would be a great utility guy for a contending team. Might as well get something for him too.
Author: Rick
Rick is a co-founder and editor of WFNY. His love of Cleveland sports is surpassed only by his faith and love of his family. Follow him on Twitter- @rickwfny.Rick has written 742 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
Watching the game at a bar in Chicago last night… 10th inning I flat out told my friends that this game was over becuase Lord knows Borowski wasn’t going to be able to save it… I was almost glad that the game was on mute because I don’t think I could have stood having to listen to the awful White Sox announcers take pride in all Indians fans misery
My wife and I were playing cards. I told her the Indians were bringing in Borowski with a 1 run lead in the 10th. She said, “So we lost huh?”
It was Sox 3, Tribe 2, you need to fix that sub headline.
I know not what you speak of, Alex
In regard to the game – awful. And in regard to the players you mentioned, it would be near a complete rebuild if they moved Gut and Perez. Betancourt can just stop showing up and I wouldn’t care. Blakes as good as gone anyways. But Gut and Perez would sting in a few years…
Listening to the game last night (I can’t take the Sox TV team for very long) in the top of the 10th, Ed Farmer says something to the effect of “If the Indians score a run here, they’ll probably bring out Borowski for the bottom half.” And I swear to you I, Sox fan, actually hoped out loud for the Indians get one across.
I’m not sure why Casey Blake is poo-pooed by everyone. IMO, he’s someone you build your team around. (Did I just say that?!). No really though. Blake is able to play any position and one of the few of our hitters that is able to come through in the clutch. He’s even starting to become that “veteran” locker room presence that we are in need of. Why would we want to move a guy that is so valuable to a team?
Blake was upset at the Indians for not offering him a longer deal. He’s also not the answer at third. He is starting to make too much for a utility guy, at least a utility guy here.
We need to turn this around because all I really care about anymore if weather or not Joe Borowski is “having fun” for the remainder of the season.
Joe Blow needs to go as simple as that. How can we afford to have a closer that has saved 14 of his last 27!!! I don’t even remember Jose mess up throwing this bad during the regular season. I was like Alex last night. I was getting ready to go to bed when Blake hit one out and I told myself that if Wedge brought in anyone but Blow I would go to bed. Well needless to say I stayed up a little longer then I should have.
what?!? cleveland has a baseball team? huh!?!
This guy depresses the hell out of me. How much?
I find myself longing for the Bob “Skoal” Wickman.
Anybody have some valium?
Last night on the radio, Tom Hamilton actually said something along these lines:
“The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are coming to town! Come on down to Progressive Field and see the hottest young team in the major leagues!”
That’s right folks, the Indians are actually telling you to come to games to watch the other team, and that other team is the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
It’s really sad how this season has turned out. I blame Shapiro. He thought he was bringing back the team that came within a game of the World Series. Instead he brought back the team that lost three in a row to the Red Sox.
That’s probably not too original of a thought, but I just needed to vent.
Thanks, WFNY!