May 21, 2013

Box Score: Indians 3, Royals 6

September 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

So in the end, this wasn’t too bad of a game right? Justin Masterson gave up four runs in six innings for his 15th loss of the season, while the Indians couldn’t muster enough late offense for the victory.

Scoring Summary
Bot 2nd: Kansas City
- B. Pena singled to shallow left, J. Francoeur scored
- I. Falu singled to shallow center, B. Pena scored, D. Lough to third, I. Falu out at second
Top 3rd: Cleveland
- M. Brantley singled to shallow center, A. Cabrera scored, C. Santana to second
Bot 3rd: Kansas City
- M. Moustakas hit sacrifice fly to right center, J. Dyson scored
Bot 5th: Kansas City
- M. Moustakas grounded out to second, I. Falu scored, J. Dyson to third, A. Escobar to second
Top 7th: Cleveland
- C. Santana singled to shallow center, E. Carrera and S. Choo scored
Bot 8th: Kansas City
- E. Hosmer hit sacrifice fly to left, M. Moustakas scored
- B. Pena doubled to left, J. Francoeur scored, B. Pena to third advancing on throw
 Cleveland
AB R H RBI HR BB K SB LOB Season Avg
S. Choo rf 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .276
J. Kipnis 2b 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .255
A. Cabrera ss 4 1 2 0 0 0 2 1 2 .271
C. Santana c 3 0 1 2 0 1 1 0 3 .252
M. Brantley cf 3 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 .283
T. Hafner dh 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 .232
    M. LaPorta ph-dh 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .239
    V. Rottino pr-dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .111
C. Kotchman 1b 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .234
    R. Canzler ph-1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 .254
L. Chisenhall 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 .267
E. Carrera lf 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .242
 Totals 35 3 10 3 0 2 6 1 16
 Batting
2B - A Cabrera (32, L Mendoza).
S - A Cabrera.
RBI - C Santana 2 (70), M Brantley (60).
2-out RBI - C Santana 2, M Brantley.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Santana 1, T Hafner 3.
GIDP - L Chisenhall.
Team LOB - 9.
 Base Running
SB - A Cabrera (9, 3rd base off L Mendoza/B Pena).
 Fielding
Outfield assists - S Choo.
DP - 1 (J Kipnis-A Cabrera-C Kotchman).
 Kansas City
AB R H RBI HR BB K SB LOB Season Avg
J. Dyson cf 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 .270
    A. Gordon lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .293
A. Escobar ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 .295
M. Moustakas 3b 3 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 .248
B. Butler dh 3 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 .309
    J. Bourgeois pr-dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .312
J. Francoeur rf 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 .233
E. Hosmer 1b 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 .238
B. Pena c 4 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 .253
D. Lough lf-cf 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .243
I. Falu 2b 4 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 .333
 Totals 30 6 10 6 0 2 4 1 9
 Batting
2B - B Pena (10, S Maine).
SF - M Moustakas, E Hosmer.
RBI - M Moustakas 2 (71), E Hosmer (60), B Pena 2 (24), I Falu (6).
2-out RBI - B Pena 2, I Falu.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Francoeur 1, I Falu 1.
GIDP - J Francoeur.
Team LOB - 6.
 Base Running
SB - A Escobar (31, 2nd base off J Masterson/C Santana).
 Fielding
DP - 1 (I Falu-E Hosmer).
 Cleveland
IP H R ER BB K HR WHIP Season ERA
J. Masterson (L, 11-15) 6.0 7 4 4 2 3 0 1.45 4.97
J. Smith 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.22 3.21
C. Allen 0.1 2 2 2 0 0 0 1.46 3.81
S. Maine 0.2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.00 4.50
 Kansas City
IP H R ER BB K HR WHIP Season ERA
L. Mendoza (W, 8-9) 6.0 8 2 2 2 3 0 1.43 4.44
T. Collins (H, 10) 1.0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1.24 3.41
F. Bueno (H, 2) 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1.12 1.88
G. Holland (S, 15) 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.35 2.80
WP - J Masterson.
IBB - B Butler (by J Masterson); M Brantley (by L Mendoza).
HBP - A Escobar (by J Masterson); D Lough (by S Maine); S Choo (by T Collins).
Pitches-strikes - J Masterson 98-58; J Smith 18-13; C Allen 12-7; S Maine 13-6; L Mendoza 90-51; T Collins 20-15; F Bueno 11-11; G Holland 7-6.
Ground balls-fly balls - J Masterson 13-5; J Smith 0-2; C Allen 3-0; S Maine 1-1; L Mendoza 12-5; T Collins 2-0; F Bueno 2-1; G Holland 0-2.
Batters faced - J Masterson 26; J Smith 3; C Allen 3; S Maine 4; L Mendoza 27; T Collins 5; F Bueno 4; G Holland 3.
Game Details
Umpires: HP–Gary Cederstrom. 1B–Lance Barksdale. 2B–Mark Ripperger. 3B–Adrian Johnson.
Weather: 75 degrees, clear.
Wind: 8 mph, out to right.

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Rangers 5 Indians 2: Is The Streak III Occurring?

September 13, 2012 by 4 Comments

Nobody said beating the Texas Rangers was going to be easy, especially when you have starting pitching that could go either way on any night and a lineup that looks more like a 4A convention than a Major League team. But hey, as GM Chris Antonetti told us two days ago, these guys still have a lot to play for. Especially the young kids who want to have jobs in 2013.

One of those kids is Jeanmar Gomez. It seems like decades ago that Jeanmar Gomez looked like the best Tribe pitcher in Spring Training, running away with the fifth starter job and on his way to a solid April. Then, like so many Indians this season, the wheels just fell right off the wagon. Gomez lost his roster spot to Zach McAllister, was sent to AAA, and hadn’t been heard from since. He received a late August call-up after Roberto Hernandez sprained his ankle and took his spot in the rotation. Last night was Gomez’s third September start and once again, it didn’t really impress anyone. [Read more...]

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Twins 7, Indians 5: Finding New Ways To Lose Every Night

August 8, 2012 by 22 Comments

It is absolutely incredible what is going on with my beloved Indians right now. Even if you hired a Hollywood screen writer to tell the story of the now 11-game losing streak, he or she couldn’t come up with the storyline of these last three games.

Sunday’s implosion was one for the ages, as the Indians scored three times in the tenth inning, only to watch the Detroit Tigers get five in the bottom of the frame, capped off by a Miguel Cabrera walk-off homer. That was the end of a nine-game road trip in which they lost all nine. Then came Monday night’s debacle where the visiting Minnesota Twins scored 10 times in the second inning on their way to a 14-3 beat down of the Tribe.

But just when you think things can’t possibly get worse, last night’s game comes along.

“This is a hard one,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “Guys played their hearts out.”

Lets just fast forward to the fun parts, shall we? [Read more...]

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Tigers 5 Indians 3: Offense Doesn’t Show, Neither Does Lowe

July 26, 2012 by 27 Comments

With the looming return of Roberto Hernandez, it would behoove the Indians two back end starters – Josh Tomlin and Derek Lowe – to start pitching better. One of them is going to lose their job, if not both of them. When asked after the game about his starting pitching issues, Manager Manny Acta told the media “Of course we need pitching help. Everyone knows that. It’s a priority.” Then asked if more help would be on the way, he responded by saying “We’re working on it.”

That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for Lowe or Tomlin. Then again, neither was Lowe’s start last night, another in a long line of poor outings which could lead to his undoing. At least Tomlin has shown some sort of life of late. The 39-year old veteran looks like he is on his last legs after taking another loss last night. [Read more...]

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Indians All-Star Break Review: The Infielders

July 12, 2012 by 15 Comments

As we do each summer at WFNY when the Cleveland Indians hit the All-Star break, we take a look back at the four facets of the team on the field. There’s been been a lot to talk about with this club. Their 44-41 record is good enough for second in the American League Central, but the team has shown some serious flaws. GM Chris Antonetti continues to tell us that the Indians have not played their best baseball yet. I hope he is right. Additions will need to be made and in-house improvements will be a must if the Tribe plans on playing October baseball.

We started by looking at the starting rotation. Yesterday it was the bullpen. Today we will move to the position players, starting with the infield.

During the winter, the Indians had a decision to make. They knew they needed to add a bat, but would it be at first base or in the outfield? Second base (Jason Kipnis) and shortstop (Asdrubal Cabrera) were locked and loaded. At the hot corner, there would be an open competition between stud prospect Lonnie Chisenhall and incumbent glove-man Jack Hannahan. The catching position would be manned by the Carlos Santana, who many expected to take that next great leap towards stardom. Lou Marson would be back as his backup. The right-handed hitting Jason Donald was the odds on favorite to be the middle infield utility man. [Read more...]

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Indians 12 Angels 3: Smokin’ Hot On The 4th Of July

July 5, 2012 by 3 Comments

Remember when the Indians played the Astros and the Yankees less then two weeks ago and looked like they would have to win every game 2-1 because the offense couldn’t string anything together? I know I do. So what do you make of them after yesterday’s 12-3 shellacking of the Los Angeles Angels?

Since that five-game losing skid, their worst of the season, the Indians have won five of seven and they have done it with the bats. Save for the 3-0 shutout Monday by one of the game’s best pitchers (Jered Weaver), the much maligned Tribe attack has averaged 8.8 runs per game during the span. Don’t even try to ask me to explain it.

“Good teams can forget bad games,” said yesterday’s starter Derek Lowe. “We were able to go out the last couple nights and score a lot of runs.”

Indeed they did. Yesterday’s series clinching win was a scorcher, and I say that as someone who sat in the shade the entire game with my wife and kids. Lowe was wearing long sleeves! The heat fron the Tribe bats was the thing that made the 92-degree game time temperature bearable. Right from the start, the Wahoos were all over Ervin Santana, a man who no-hit them last summer.  [Read more...]

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Indians 10, Reds 9: Its Bizarro World as Tribe Outslugs The ‘Nati

June 19, 2012 by 8 Comments

I said yesterday that the Indians are going to have to win this division with their pitching and defense. Naturally a night later they come out and tear the cover off the ball. I believe yesterday I also wrote the following sentence “the bottom of the order continues to be a black hole.” The 7-8-9 of the Tribe order then proceeded to drive in seven RBIs while the guys who have been carrying the offense, Jason Kipnis and Asdrubal Cabrera, didn’t get a hit. This was just another in a long line of reasons of you never know what you are going to get on any given night in baseball.

This one was supposed to be the big rematch between the Indians Derek Lowe and the Reds Mat Latos, less than a week after the Lowe/Baker flap in which Latos got himself involved. Instead, it became a battle of the bats. All-World first baseman Joey Votto got Lowe with a two-out solo shot in the first to put the Reds on top. Shin-Soo Choo led off for the Tribe and answered with a deep solo blast of his own. It was on from there.

The Reds pounded Lowe with a double and three singles to take a 3-1 lead in the second. However, the Tribe countered with some offense of their own. Michael Brantley opened the second with a ground-rule double. Carlos Santana, moved to the six hole to help his slumping bat, singled sharply up the middle moving Brantley to third. He would score on Johnny Damon’s groundout. With two out, Lonnie Chisenhall blasted a two-run shot into the Reds bullpen to put the Tribe on top 4-3. [Read more...]

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Box Score: Pirates 9, Indians 2

June 16, 2012 by 1 Comment

This game was close. I swear. You look at this and you’d think, “whelp, Ubaldo must’ve had one of those days”, but that is not the case. Jimenez did his best Dave Burba impression (6.0 IP, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4K) but the Tribe’s bats never figured out Pirates starter AJ Burnett. Both times the Indians scored (two solo shots, from Cabrera and Kotchman, respectively), Ubaldo gave up the momentum and allowed a run the following inning. The bullpen didn’t help matters; Tony Sipp did his best Tony Sipp impression and Nick Hagadone imploded for four runs in the 9th to turn this into a laugher.

The rubber match is 1:00PM on Sunday, Brad Lincoln goes for the Pirates, Jenmar Gomez takes the hill for the Indians.

Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Pittsburgh 0 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 4 9 12 0
 Cleveland 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 6 1
WP: A.J. Burnett (7-2)
LP: U. Jimenez (6-5)
Scoring Summary
Bot 1st: Cleveland
- A. Cabrera homered to right
Top 2nd: Pittsburgh
- P. Alvarez homered to deep right
Top 3rd: Pittsburgh
- G. Jones singled to shallow right, N. Walker scored, A. McCutchen to second
Bot 5th: Cleveland
- C. Kotchman homered to deep right
Top 6th: Pittsburgh
- C. McGehee homered to deep left, G. Jones scored
Top 7th: Pittsburgh
- A. Presley homered to deep right
Top 9th: Pittsburgh
- C. McGehee singled to shallow right, N. Walker and M. Hague scored
- P. Alvarez homered to deep right center, C. McGehee scored
Pittsburgh
AB R H RBI HR BB K SB LOB Season Avg
A. Presley lf 6 1 1 1 1 0 2 0 3 .225
N. Walker 2b 3 2 1 0 0 2 2 1 0 .270
A. McCutchen cf 5 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 .323
G. Jones dh 3 1 2 1 0 1 0 0 1 .258
    M. Hague ph-dh 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .220
C. McGehee 1b 4 2 2 4 1 1 1 0 4 .243
P. Alvarez 3b 4 2 2 3 2 1 0 0 1 .196
J. Tabata rf 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 .230
R. Barajas c 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 .222
C. Barmes ss 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 3 .192
 Totals 38 9 12 9 4 8 10 1 18
 Batting
HR - A Presley (4, 7th inning off T Sipp 0 on, 1 Out), C McGehee (3, 6th inning off U Jimenez 1 on, 0 Out), P Alvarez 2 (10, 2nd inning off U Jimenez 0 on, 0 Out, 9th inning off N Hagadone 1 on, 2 Out).
RBI - A Presley (11), G Jones (22), C McGehee 4 (14), P Alvarez 3 (28).
2-out RBI - C McGehee 2, P Alvarez 2.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Presley 2, C McGehee 1, C Barmes 1.
GIDP - C McGehee.
Team LOB - 10.
 Base Running
SB - N Walker (7, 2nd base off U Jimenez/C Santana).
 Fielding
DP - 1 (N Walker-C Barmes-C McGehee).
Cleveland
AB R H RBI HR BB K SB LOB Season Avg
S. Choo rf 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .263
A. Cabrera ss 3 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 .301
J. Kipnis 2b 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .278
C. Santana c 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 .227
M. Brantley cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 .280
J. Damon dh 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 .175
S. Duncan lf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 .200
C. Kotchman 1b 4 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 .220
L. Chisenhall 3b 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 .229
 Totals 32 2 6 2 2 5 3 1 16
 Batting
2B - L Chisenhall (1, A Burnett).
HR - A Cabrera (6, 1st inning off A Burnett 0 on, 1 Out), C Kotchman (5, 5th inning off A Burnett 0 on, 1 Out).
RBI - A Cabrera (26), C Kotchman (22).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Kipnis 1, J Damon 1, S Duncan 3.
GIDP - L Chisenhall.
Team LOB - 8.
 Base Running
SB - J Kipnis (16, 2nd base off A Burnett/R Barajas).
 Fielding
E - S Duncan (2, field).
DP - 1 (A Cabrera-J Kipnis-C Kotchman).
 Pittsburgh
IP H R ER BB K HR WHIP Season ERA
A.J. Burnett (W, 7-2) 6.2 6 2 2 4 2 2 1.28 3.52
J. Hughes 1.1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1.13 1.93
D. Slaten 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.30 2.70
 Cleveland
IP H R ER BB K HR WHIP Season ERA
U. Jimenez (L, 6-5) 6.0 7 4 4 2 6 2 1.59 5.00
T. Sipp 0.1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1.55 6.95
J. Smith 1.2 1 0 0 1 1 0 1.27 3.25
N. Hagadone 1.0 3 4 4 4 2 1 1.29 4.98
Pitches-strikes - A Burnett 96-58; J Hughes 17-10; D Slaten 12-7; U Jimenez 98-60; T Sipp 16-7; J Smith 25-16; N Hagadone 34-16.
Ground balls-fly balls - A Burnett 12-10; J Hughes 2-1; D Slaten 1-1; U Jimenez 5-8; T Sipp 0-1; J Smith 3-2; N Hagadone 1-2.
Batters faced - A Burnett 29; J Hughes 5; D Slaten 3; U Jimenez 26; T Sipp 3; J Smith 7; N Hagadone 10.
Game Details
Umpires: HP–Fieldin Culbreth. 1B–Adrian Johnson. 2B–Gary Cederstrom. 3B–Lance Barksdale.
Weather: 78 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 6 mph, in from center.


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TD and Craig on More Sports and Les Levine 5-15-2012

May 16, 2012 by 1 Comment

In case you couldn’t tune in or live outside of the area, TD and I had a chance to talk sports with Les Levine yesterday. Les is the best in the business and honestly just as nice a guy as you could ever meet.  We talked about the Indians, the new Horseshoe casino, Dan Gilbert, MLB collective bargaining and all sorts of other topics. The hour flew by.

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Indians 5, Twins 0: Derek Keeps Sad Sack Twins On the Down Lowe

May 16, 2012 by 33 Comments

Who had this one pegged?

The Indians were looking to add to the back end of the rotation after the season ended. They made their first move rather quickly. On October 31st, just a week after the World Series, GM Chris Antonetti acquired a 38-year old veteran who was coming off the worst year of the career where he lost 17 games and collapsed in September. The guy was due $15 million in 2012, the last year of his deal. Nobody talked about the move, despite the fact that the Atlanta Braves picked up $10 million of the salary due.

Well how has Derek Lowe looked out thus far, Tribe fans?

During yesterday afternoon’s tilt with the last place Minnesota Twins, Lowe pitched another absolute gem. The veteran sinker-baller delivered a six-hit complete game shutout for his sixth win on the season. Using his sinker almost exclusively, Lowe delivered a whopping 22 groundball outs, including four double-play balls that killed any chances of a Twins rally. [Read more...]

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Indians 5 Twins 4: Choo’s Clutch Hit Saves Acta’s Bacon

May 15, 2012 by 18 Comments

Now these are the games that make baseball so fun and so frustrating at the same time.

For the first seven innings, the Cleveland Indians looked well on their way to an easy win against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Starting Pitcher Jeanmar Gomez, coming off his first bad outing of the season, dominated the Twins to the tune of one unearned run on three hits. His sinker was working all night and Minnesota was never able to get anything going.

“Gomez did a very good job,” Acta said. “He went out there and threw strikes with good life on his fastball. He got a lot of ground balls — actually 11 groundouts. He did a good job, especially against the left-handed hitters that he saw tonight,” said Tribe manager Manny Acta.

Offensively, the Indians didn’t exactly break things open against former Indian Carl Pavano, but they did enough damage to be in control of the game. Trailing 1-0 in the fourth, Jason Kipnis led off with a single and was moved to third on Asdrubal Cabrera’s ground-rule double. The Tribe seemed like they would be in business. Travis Hafner, still looking for a big hit with runners in scoring position, delivered an RBI groundout to second base to tie the game. Carlos Santana brought in the lead run with s sacrifice fly left. [Read more...]

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Matt LaPorta: We Won’t Get Fooled Again…Will We?

May 1, 2012 by 45 Comments

Matt LaPorta clubs one of his two home runs on Monday

He’s doing it again, folks. And so many of you are falling for it.

Good old Matt LaPorta. The one-time top-10 MLB prospect who was the crown jewel of the CC Sabathia trade back in 2008 is dominating Triple-A pitching once again and trying to make his way back to the big leagues. He’s on his last legs in the organization that wanted him badly four years ago and he’s doing his best to make the most of it.

Don’t get too excited.

LaPorta is an enigma. The 27-year-old has been given every chance to be the starting first baseman and the middle of the order, right-handed power bat that the club still doesn’t have. They don’t have that bat because LaPorta never developed at the Major League level. Yet for the fourth different time, he is killing it AAA.

[Read more...]

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Tribe Tripped Up Again by KC, Look to Angels to Find Missing Offense

April 27, 2012 by 2 Comments

What is it about Progressive Field in 2012 that the Indians offense doesn’t like? After another loss yesterday afternoon, 4-2 to the Kansas City Royals, its as if they are allergic to their home park. I don’t know if it was the poor weather, or reality setting in, but we are back to being frustrated with the production and the lack of clutch hitting.

The contrasts are astounding. At home, the Indians are hitting .186 (52-279) and averaging 3.5 per game while hitting .150 (9-60) with runners in scoring position. On the road, they are hitting a whopping .381 (89-317) and averaging six runs per game while hitting .309 (30-97) with runners in scoring position. [Read more...]

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Royals 8 Indians 2: Ubaldo Shaky Again, Long Balls Do Them In

April 26, 2012 by 23 Comments

The Royals have finally ended their 12-game losing streak. This was long overdue for this lineup of talented young bats. You know what else helps? Facing Ubaldo Jimenez.

When the Indians made their big deal to bring over the former All-Star right-hander last summer, I was all for it.  GM Chris Antonetti was “going for it.” The Indians are always the ones dealing their stars for prospects. Now it was the other way around. I was thrilled. That was until I saw Ubaldo pitch.

Last night was just another in a string of average at best starts from Jimenez, who continues to pitch like an inconsistent back of the rotation guy. Right off the bat, he had trouble with his command. He walked the first batter, Chris Getz, and then fell behind Alex Gordon 3-1 before Gordon popped out. Billy Butler followed with a two-run homer to put the Royals ahead. Eric Hosmer and Jeff Francouer then hit back to back singles. Yes, he got out of the inning without any more damage being done, but again Ubaldo was all over the place. [Read more...]

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Indians Weekend Wrapup: Wahoos Close Nine Game Trip Winning Two of Three in Oakland

April 23, 2012 by 14 Comments

If you are an Indians fan, you had to feel good about what you saw this weekend. The team once again battled all weekend and took two of three from the Oakland A’s, capping off a 7-2 West Coast trip. When it started, everyone was worried that we could be seeing the beginning of a train wreck season. Ten days later, we’ve got a quality ball club on our hands. In Oakland, we saw some of the best of what the Indians can be. They got quality pitching, timely hitting, and took the series.

For the Indians to hang around in the AL Central, they MUST beat up on the bad teams, and that is exactly what they did during the nine-game road trip. The Royals, Mariners, and Athletics aren’t exactly the Tigers, Yankees, and Rangers, but the point is they handled their business. Not to mention, they did so with their All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who missed the final six games due to a death in his family.

So as we do every Monday morning, let us take a look back at the weekend that was in Wahooland. [Read more...]

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White Sox, 10 Indians 6: The Johnny Damon/Dan Wheeler Watch is On

April 12, 2012 by 11 Comments

If I told you that the Indians offense would put up six runs on 10 hits and Justin Masterson would be the starting pitcher, you’d have to say you like the team’s chances, right? But as a wise man once said “that’s why they play the games.” [Read more...]

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Indians Minor League News: LaPorta raking early

April 9, 2012 by 26 Comments

Matt LaPorta’s defense hasn’t been missed in Cleveland so far as the Tribe faithful have enjoyed every minute of Casey Kotchman’s glove at first. At the plate though, Kotchman hasn’t impressed just yet with his one hit in 16 at-bats. While it is early, for Kotchman, it is also early for Matt LaPorta who is off to a hot start in Columbus.

.375 (6-for-16), 3 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 5 K, 1.287 OPS

After four games, LaPorta leads the team in just about every offensive category, including hits, home runs, runs batted in and slugging percentage…  One positive, besides the tangible results, are that both of his home runs were to the opposite field. He has had the habit of trying to pull almost everything, as most young hitters do. But at age 27, he’s not so young anymore…

As I said, it’s early. Obviously much too early to make any kind of decision on Kotchman or LaPorta. Except for their defense, of course. I am more than willing to make that decision today. Kotchman’s glove is a breath of fresh air vs. having to hold my breath every time LaPorta went to throw.

[Related: Indians Weekend Wrap Up: Things Are Better Than They Seem]

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MLB News: Indians option Chisenhall and LaPorta to Columbus

March 27, 2012 by 20 Comments

The Cleveland Indians made a round of roster cuts this morning, most notably sending third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall and first baseman Matt LaPorta to Columbus. Lesser known Chad Huffman was also sent to minor league camp. That is good news for all you Casey Kotchman and Jack Hannahan fans out there.

It will be nice to know that Chisenhall is available in Columbus this year in case the veterans falter. Hopefully if they do, the Indians won’t wait as long to pull the trigger as they did a year ago with guys like Adam Everett and Austin Kearns.

Now, if Shelley Duncan can just finish off the competition for the left field job and solidify that spot for the entire season…

[Related: Jon took on the position battles the Tribe face this spring]

 

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Pluto: Hannahan Likely Starter, Chisenhall to Triple-A

March 26, 2012 by 9 Comments

With Opening Day a little over a week away and the Cleveland Indians having to cut down their 40-man roster by a handful of players, The Plain Dealer’s Terry Pluto chimes in about the situation at third base between the team’s 23-year-old prospect and a veteran journeyman who is back for another run.

From the start of spring training, the plan was for Lonnie Chisenhall to prove that he should open at third base by having a big spring where he showed better defense and more plate discipline — cutting down strikeouts and adding walks. Otherwise, Jack Hannahan would start. Well, otherwise appears to be the case as Hannahan is expected to be named the Tribe’s Opening Day third baseman, with Chisenhall sent back to the minors.

Chisenhall’s plate discipline has been a large reason why the former first-round draft pick will likely get some extended run prior to being called up to join the big league squad. He has 15 strikeouts in just 34 plate appearances this spring, hitting .242 (.537 OPS) with no home runs and just three runs batted in.

Convesely, the 32-year-old Hannahan was among the league’s best with his glove in 2011, and surprised many with a .250 average (.719 OPS), eight home runs and 40 runs batted in. His glove, along with that of first baseman Casey Kotchman, is expected to anchor what should be one of the better infields in the American League.

[Related: Devil’s in the Details with Forbes’ Value Report]

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While We’re Waiting… Cavs gaining ground, Duke forgetting Kyrie and more Tribe injuries

March 13, 2012 by 2 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

Thanks for those that voted last week to move WFNY to the second round of Cleveland Magazine’s Nothing but Net bracket contest. We will need your support even more if we are to move past round 2! Voting might take you 30 seconds, if you read slow. Help a brother out… [Cleveland Magazine]

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“Following an improbable, highly exciting three game win streak against Western Conference teams best characterized as somewhere between good and excellent; the Cavs are one game outside of the 8th seed in the East. Six of their remaining eleven March games are against teams with winning percentages below five-hundred. Anderson Varejao should return later this month. The trade deadline is a few days away – how should the Cavs respond?

While I’m not a proponent of “tanking”, the Cavs still need to focus on the future. I am super psyched about the three recent wins, especially against OKC (seriously – who saw that coming?), but the sixteen games in twenty four days in April is daunting and could very well leave this young Cleveland team outside-looking-in regardless of their mid-March moves. For me, the win streak hasn’t changed the view on trade deadline questions. Trading Sessions still seems to be the right move. After this season, his player option likely won’t be picked up. Acquiring a first round draft pick beats the value of twenty-seven more games of Ramon.” [Hetrick/Cavs the Blog] [Read more...]

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