Cleveland Indians Report

August 15, 2007

CIR UPDATE: Indians sign TJ McFarland

Baseball America is reporting that the Indians have signed 4th round pick TJ McFarland for an above-slot bonus of $285,000. The slot was $189k according to BA. Today is the final day for teams to sign 2007 draft picks or they lose all rights to said players, unlike in years past when teams had DFE rights to JUCO kids and could continue to negotiate with 4-year players as long as they had not attended class yet.

Posted on 8/15/2007

July 27, 2007

CIR UPDATE: Third Time the Charm for Kenny?

The Indians have acquired Kenny Lofton from the Texas Rangers today in exchange for Kinston catcher Max Ramirez. For Kenny, it will be his third tour of duty with the Tribe. Ramirez has a nice stick but I like this move to bolster the top of the lineup. When Sizemore, Gutierrez, and Lofton are all in the lineup together, the Tribe will now have an intriguing blend of speed and energy on the basepaths, not to mention patrolling the outfield. Nice move by Mark Shapiro.

Posted on 7/27/2007

July 18, 2007

CIR 7.18 - Garko Delivers Again!

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CLEVELAND (55-38, 2nd, 1.0 GB) - Won 6-5 v CWS (11 Inn)
Grady Sizemore (274), 1-5
Casey Blake (267), 1-5
Victor Martinez (323), 2-4, RBI, W, 2B
Travis Hafner (270), 1-3, W
Jhonny Peralta (289), 3-5
Franklin Gutierrez (321), 1-4, RBI
Trot Nixon (242), 2-4, RBI
Jason Michaels (291), 1-1, 2B
Ryan Garko (313), 2-2, 3 RBI, HR (12)
- two-run pinch-hit blast in 9th to send game into extras
- game-winning knock in the 11th
- 11 game hitting streak (.462, 18-for-39, 6 2B, 3 HR)
- was hitting .286 on 6/29
- big flys in 3 of last 4 games
Mike Rouse (117), 0-4, CS, E
Paul Byrd (4.50), 6IP, 6H, 4R, 2W, 3K, HR
Rafael Betancourt (2-0, 1.27), 1IP, 0H, 0R

BUFFALO (51-42, 2nd, 0.5 GB) - Lost 7-4 at Charlotte
Jason Cooper (240), 2-4, HR-2 (6), 3 RBI
- 240/346/444/790
Mike Rose (272), 2-4, 2B
Brad Snyder (255), 1-2, W
Sean Smith (8-6, 4.15), 6IP, 8H, 7R, 1W, 3K, 2HR

AKRON (55-41, 1st, 0.5 GA) - Lost 8-5 v Harrisburg (12 Inn)
Trevor Crowe (235), 1-4, 2W, SB
Asdrubal Cabrera (317), 1-6
Jordan Brown (323), 1-4, 2W
Brian Barton (307), 2-5, HR (8), 4 RBI, W
- 3-run shot in 9th to send to extras
Michael Aubrey (214), 1-5, 2B
Chris Gimenez (298), 2-6
Chuck Lofgren (4.13), 6IP, 6H, 4R, 2ER, 3W, 2K, HR
Jim Warden (2.08), 2IP, 0H, 0W, 3K
- AAA: 7.33 ERA, 23.1IP
- AA: 2.08 ERA, 30.1IP, 20H, 6W, 32K

KINSTON (12-9, T-1st) - Game Suspended 3rd Inn / Kinston up 5-0

LAKE COUNTY (14-10, T-1st) - Won 5-2 v Greensboro
Matt McBride (290), 1-4
Beau Mills (256), 2-4, 2B
Carlos Rivero (270), 1-4
Argenis Tavarez (333), 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Josh Tomlin (3.62), 5Ip, 6H, 1R, 1W, 6K
Neil Wagner (3.68, Sv11), 1IP, 0H, 1K
- 44IP, 41H, 11W, 49K
- One to watch in the 'pen next year

MAHONING VALLEY (13-15, 4th, 3.0 GB) - Lost 9-6 v Staten Island
Jansy Infante (343), 2-5, 2B
Todd Martin (402), 2-4, HR (7), RBI, W
- 402/464/670/1.134, 5 2B, 7 HR, 27 RBI
- League leader in longballs and RBI
- Last 10G: .486, 18-for-37, 3 HR
Mark Thompson (217), 2-3

GCL INDIANS (13-11, 3rd, 2.0 GB) - No Boxscore Available

Posted on 7/18/2007

July 17, 2007

CIR UPDATE: Bisons Screaming Kids Afternoon Special

The Bisons are in Charlotte for an afternoon tilt against the Knights. You can follow along via the boxscore or tune in via milb gameday audio.

Posted on 7/17/2007

CIR 7.17

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CLEVELAND (54-36, 2nd, 1.0 GB) - Lost 11-10 v CWS
Casey Blake (268), 1-4, RBI, W, 3B
Victor Martinez (321), 1-3, 2 RBI, HR (17)
Travis Hafner (269), 2-4, 2 RBI, W
Jhonny Peralta (285), 2-5, 2B
Ryan Garko (307), 2-4, RBI
Jason Michaels (287), 1-4
Franklin Gutierrez (325), 4-5, 3 RBI, 2B, HR (5), SB-2
Cliff Lee (5-6, 5.67) 5.1IP, 9H, 7R, 3W, 5K
Fernando Cabrera (5.79), 0.1IP, 5H, 4R
- SF, 2B, HR (3-run), 1B, 2B, 2B
- likely last outing in Indians uniform
Jensen Lewis (0.00), 1.1IP, 0H, 3W, 2K
- Major league debut
- 88 / 76 / 93 mph sequence to a baffled Juan Uribe was impressive

BUFFALO (51-41, 1st, 0.5 GA) - Lost 11-4 at Charlotte
Joe Inglett (252), 1-4, W
Luis Rivas (254), 2-4, RBI, W
Jason Cooper (234), 1-1, 2 RBI, 3B
Brad snyder (253), 0-3, W, 3K
John Koronka (0-1, 7.36), 3.2IP, 5H, 3R, 1W, 4K
- Bisons debut, first time on bump since June 27

AKRON (55-40, 1st, 1.0 GA) - Lost 7-4 v Harrisburg
Trevor Crowe (235), 2-4, W
- 235/324/316/640 (considering where he started....)
- Six multiple hits games in last eight
Asdrubal Cabrera (320), 0-4, W, SB
- Last 3G: 0-for-10 but 5 walks
Jordan Brown (323), 2-5
Brian Barton (305), 1-4, RBI
Michael Aubrey (214), 1-4, HR (4), RBI
Ryan Goleski (260), 1-4, 2 RBI
Chris Gimenez (294), 1-2, 2W
Shawn Nottingham (7-7, 4.41), 6IP, 10H, 7R, 6ER, 2W, 4K, HR

KINSTON (12-9, 1st, 0.5 GA) - Lost 5-4 v Potomac
Josh Rodriguez (247), 1-4, HR (9), RBI
- Last 10G: 12-for-35 (343), 5 XBH
Stephen Head (245), 0-3, W
Max Ramirez (300), 1-4
Wes Hodges (312), 1-4, 2B
John Drennen (246), 1-4, 2 RBI
Matt Whitney (291), 3-4, 2B-2, HR (5), RBI
Sung Tseng (3.86), 5IP, 4H, 2R, 2W, 4K, HR

LAKE COUNTY (13-11, 3rd, 2.0 GB) - Won 7-6 at Hagerstown
Adam Davis (276), 2-5, 2B, RBI, W
Jason Denham (265), 2-6, SB
Matt McBride (291), 2-6, 2B
Beau Mills (243), 2-4, 2 RBI
Carlos Rivero (270), 2-3, 2 RBI, 2W
Carleton Smith (7-6, 5.01), 5.2IP, 8H, 4R, 1W, 5K, HR

MAHONING VALLEY (13-14, 4th, 3.0 GB) - Won 16-4 at Tri-City
Jeff Hehr (381), 5-6, 2 RBI
Juan Valdes (307), 2-6, 2B-2, 4 RBI
Todd Martin (398), 1-5, HR (6), 3 RBI
Justin Jenkins (254), 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, W
Michael Valadez (313), 3-5, RBI
Joanniel Montero (3-1, 5.09), 6IP, 5H, 1R, 1W, 1K

GCL INDIANS (13-11, 3rd, 1.0 GB) - Lost 5-4 at GCL Phillies
Ramon Hernandez (205), 1-5, RBI
Bo Greenwell (188), 1-4, W
Ronald Rivas (235), 1-5
Chris Nash (282), 1-5
Jay Nilsson (286), 1-5
Robert Alcombrack (241), 1-3, 2B
Jason Smit (179), 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, W
Santo Frias (2.16), 5Ip, 3H, 4R, 0ER, 2W, 4K
- 25IP, 4W, 27K
Travis Turek (1.47), 3IP, 0H, 0W, 1K

Posted on 7/17/2007

July 16, 2007

CIR UPDATE: Martin Delivers Big Blast

Todd Martin just belted his league-leading 6th homerun and the Scrappers have moved out to a 7-0 lead in the top of the 5th.

Posted on 7/16/2007

CIR UPDATE: Scrappers on the Radio

You can tune into the Scrappers game at Tri-City right now via the free milb gameday audio. Joanniel Montero is on the bump for the good guys. Through two innings, it's a scoreless affair.

Posted on 7/16/2007

CIR UPDATE: Three More Years for Wedge

The Indians announced today that Eric Wedge has
signed a three-year contact extension to remain as the Tribe's skipper through 2010. Both of his options were picked up for 2008 and 2009 and the extra year was tacked on at the end. No word on whether additional options are tucked onto the back end of this deal as well. Currently in his fifth season at the Tribe's helm, Wedge has a 373-366 (.505) overall record and if he makes it through the length of this extension (1296 games), he'll trail only Lou Boudreau (1377) and Mike Hargrove (1312) on the list of longest tenured Tribe skippers.

Posted on 7/16/2007

CIR 7.16 - Another Series Win

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CLEVELAND (54-37, 2nd, 0.5 GB) - Won 5-3 v KC
Grady Sizemore (279), 0-4, W, SB (25)
Travis Hafner (266), 3-4, HR (15), 2 RBI
Jhonny Peralta (283), 1-4, 3K
Ryan Garko (304), 2-3, RBI, W, HR (11)
- July: 414/471/793/1.264
- Weekend: 6-for-10, 2 HR
Jason Michaels (288), 2-4
Franklin Gutierrez (292), 1-2, RBI, W, 2B, SB
- Peter Gammons says he might be the best defensive CF in the AL
Fausto Carmona (11-4, 3.77), 7IP, 8H, 2R, 2W, 4K
Joe Borowski (5.30, Sv26), 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0W, 0K
- Bounced Back

BUFFALO (51-40, 1st, 1.5 GA) - Lost 5-4 at Durham
Ryan Mulhern (313), 1-4, RBI
Brad Snyder (256), 1-4
JVE (316), 2-3, HR-2 (6), 3 RBI
- 316/414/558/972, 34K in 95 AB
Jeremy Sowers (0-4, 5.82), 6IP, 8H, 5R, 2W, 2K, HR
- Six Starts: 38.2IP, 51H, 9W, 20K
- Last 3G: minimum of five runs allowed
Matt Miller (2.18), 2IP, 1H
- Last 6G: 6.2IP, 4H, 0R, 4W, 4K

AKRON (55-39, 1st, 2.0 GA) - Lost 10-4 at Altoona
Trevor Crowe (232), 2-5, 2B
Brain Barton (306), 2-5, RBI
Jordan Brown (322), 0-2, 2W
Ryan Goleski (261), 1-2, 2B, W
Chris Gimenez (286), 1-4, HR (5), 2 RBI
Reid Santos (6-2, 2.56), 5IP, 7H, 4R, 3W, 6K, 2HR
TJ Burton (4.56), 0.1IP, 5H, 6R, 4ER, 1W

KINSTON (12-8, 1st, 1.5 GA) - Off Day

LAKE COUNTY (12-11, 4th, 3.0 GB) - Lost 1-0 at Hagerstown
Beau Mills (229), 1-4, 2B
Carlos Rivero (266), 0-2, W
Nick Weglarz (272), 1-3
Paulo Espino (2-2, 3.78), 6IP, 5H, 1R, 0W, 6K, HR

MAHONING VALLEY (12-14, 4th, 3.5 GB) - Lost 8-2 at Tri-City
Juan Valdes (305), 1-4, W, SB
Todd Martin (409), 1-4, RBI
Matt Brown (272), 2-3, 2B
Jonathan Holt (0-2, 10.00), 3IP, 3H, 3R, 0W, 1K, HR

GCL INDIANS (13-10, 2nd, 1.0 GB) - Off Day

Posted on 7/16/2007

July 04, 2007

CIR 7.4.07 - CELEBRATION!

(regular update is below)

IN CONGRESS,
July 4, 1776.
A DECLARATION BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
IN GENERAL CONGRESS ASSEMBLED.

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government,and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assentto Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a longtime, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by amock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas,ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions. In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Happy Birthday America!!

Declaration of Independence

Posted on 7/04/2007

CIR 7.4.07 - Six in a Row in Motown!

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What a night! Casey's shot in the 11th, Borowski making quick work of the Tigers in the 11th, Ben's pinch-hit blast in the 8th ("are you kidding me?" says the FSN Detroit announcers), Michaels gunning down Sheffield at the plate, Mastny wiggling out of a bases loaded jam in the 10th, Betancourt overcoming automatic balls for delay of game (were they not watching Nate Robertson in the early innings?) with two perfect innings, and Gutierrez making a leaping catch at the wall. What a night!

The big leaguers weren't the only ones enjoying themselves last night. For the second time in two weeks, the Lake County Captains NO-HIT the Delmarva Shorebirds with Hector Rondon and Neil Wagner sharing the honors this time in the 3-0 victory, Rondon, the 19-year old right-hander from Venezuela, retired the first five Shorebirds he faced before issuing a walk in the bottom of the second. After finishing the inning, Rondon retired the next 11 in a row before allowing another walk in the bottom of the sixth before he dispatched final hitter of the frame to finish with six no-hit innings. Wagner took over from there, making quick work of the Shorebird by striking out the side in the 7th and working a perfect 1-2-3 8th and 9th innings to preserve the second no-no in Captains history. What a night!

CLEVELAND (51-32, 1st, 3.0 GA) - Won 5-4 at Detroit (11 INN)
Grady Sizemore (282), 1-5, W
Casey Blake (271), 2-4, RBI, W, HR (12)
- Game-winner in top of 11th
Jhonny Peralta (282), 1-5, 2 RBI, 2B
- permanently back in the three-hole?
Victor Martinez (324), 1-4, W
Travis Hafner (257), 1-4
Jason Michaels (288), 0-1, RBI, W
- Threw out Gary Sheffield at home to end Tigers rally
Ben Francisco (500), 1-2, RBI, HR (3)
- Pinch-Hit, Game-Tying blast in the 8th
Kelly Shoppach (354), 1-5, 2B
- Great job blocking plate on the throw from Michaels
Franklin Gutierrez (290), 1-3
- Leaping catch at the wall in 9th or 10th (I forget which)
- "He didn't catch it, it caught him" - Tigers announcers
Josh Barfield (253), 0-4, W
- Another walk?????
Paul Byrd (4.71), 7Ip, 7H, 4R, 1W, 3K, 1HR
Rafael Betancourt (1.19), 2IP, 0H, 0W
Tom Mastny (6-2, 5.06), 1IP, 2H, 0R, 1W
- Loaded bases in 10th w/1 out, got Guillen and I-Rod
Joe Borowski (5.51, Sv25), 1IP, 2K
- 1-2-3 in the 11th

BUFFALO (47-36, 1st, 3.0GA) - Lost 10-3 v Rochester
Joe Inglett (264), 1-4
Ryan Mulhern (320), 2-4, 2B, RBI
Andy Marte (253), 1-4
JVE (333), 1-4, RBI
Eric DuBose (2-1, 3.81), 6IP, 8H, 6R, 4ER, 2W, 5K

AKRON (51-32, 1st, 4.5 GA) - Lost 5-3 at Erie
Trevor Crowe (222), 2-4, 2B
Asdrubal Cabrera (336), 1-4
Brian Barton (301), 1-3, RBI
Michael Aubrey (227), 1-1
Jordan Brown (320), 0-1, RBI
Ryan Goleski (261), 1-4
Rodney Choy Foo (279), 1-3, HR (7), RBI, W
Wyatt Toregas (247), 3-3, 2B, W
Scott Lewis (2-5, 3.96), 4IP, 10H, 4R, 1W, 5K

KINSTON (8-3, 1st, 1.0GA) - Won 5-0 v Wilmington
Jerad Head (267), 1-4, RBI
Stephen Head (251), 1-4, RBI
Max Ramirez (314), 1-4
Wes Hodges (333), 2-4, 2B
Matt Whitney (261), 0-3, W
Josh Rodriguez (285), 2-3, RBI
Sung Tseng (3-6, 3.59), 6IP, 4H, 0R, 0W, 1K
Mike Finocchi (2.79, Sv3), 3IP, 1H, 0R, 2W, 3K

LAKE COUNTY (9-3, 1st, 1.0 GA) - Won 3-0 at Delmarva (NO-HITTER!)
Jason Denham (276), 1-4
Adam Davis (278), 1-3, W
Nick Weglarz (270), 1-3, 2B, W
Ramon Pena (259), 1-3, 2B, W
Fernando Pacheco (368), 1-3
Niuman Romero (196), 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Hector Rondon (6-4, 3.59), 6IP, 0H, 0R, 2W, 5K
- Retired first 5, walk, next 12, walk, final out
- 80.1IP, 72H, 21W, 64K, .238 BAA
- Last 2G v Delmarva: 12IP, 3H, 0R, 3W, 8K
Neil Wagner (2.70, Sv10), 3Ip, 0H, 0R, 0W, 5K
- Struck out side in 7th
- 36IP, 30H, 9W, 43K, .222 BAA
- Last 4G: 9IP, 17K

MAHONING VALLEY (6-9, 4th, 4.0 GB) - Lost 9-6 at Auburn
Jansy Infante (358), 1-5
Mark Thompson (209), 2-3, RBI, W
Juan Valdes (300), 2-5, RBI
Todd Martin (305), 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, W
Ramon Alvadaro (286), 2-4
Osiel Flores (267), 2-4
Daniel Frega (1-1, 3.86), 4IP, 5H, 8R, 4ER, 3W, 2K, HR

GCL INDIANS (8-5, 2nd, 0.5GB) - Lost 7-2 at GCL Phillies
Jason Smit (244), 1-1
Angel Rodriguez (362), 1-3
Jay Nilsson (286), 1-3, HR (1), 2 RBI
Jose Urena (0-1, 5.87), 1.2IP, 4H, 5R, 2ER, 6W, 1K

Posted on 7/04/2007

July 03, 2007

CIR 7.3.07 - SWEEP!

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CLEVELAND (50-32, 1st, 2.0 GA) - Won 10-2 v Tampa Bay
Grady Sizemore (283), 1-5, 4 RBI, HR (14), GS
- Salami was 500th career hit
Victor Martinez (325), 2-4, W
Travis Hafner (257), 1-4
Ryan Garko (294), 1-5, RBI, 2B
Trot Nixon (244), 1-3, W
Ben Francisco (500), 3-3, 3 RBI, W, 2B, HR (2)
Mike Rouse (132), 1-2, RBI, W
Josh Barfield (257), 0-3, W
- 1st walk since May 25 (135 ABs)
Fausto Carmona (9-4, 3.78), 6IP, 4H, 2R, 1ER, 2W, 8K
Rafael Perez (1.90), 1.2IP, 0H, 0R, 1W, 2K
- Entered with bases loaded and 0 outs in 7th
- Strikeout, 1-2 forceout at home, groundout escapes with no runs
- 23.2IP, 16H, 6W, 28K, 4HR, 1.90 ERA
- .065 BAA v LH, .233 BAA v RH
Rafael Betancourt (1.26), .1IP, 1K
- Big strikeout to close out 8th
- Would have closed 9th if not for 7-run explosion in 8th
Fernando Cabrera (4.60), 1IP, 1W
- 1st appearance since June 22

BUFFALO (47-35, 1st, 3.0 GA) - Won 7-4 v Rochester
Hector Luna (262), 2-5, HR-2 (5), 4 RBI
Luis Rivas (255), 1-3, HR (9), RBI, 2W
Ryan Mulhern (317), 2-4
Andy Marte (254), 2-4
Brad Snyder (255), 2-4, 3B
JVE (339), 2-4, RBI
Jeff Harris (5-5, 4.81), 6IP, 6H, 1R, 3W, 1K
Adam Miller (2.77), 1.2IP, 5H, 3R, 0W, 3K
- 3rd outing since return
- Struck out side in 7th
- 8th: 2B, 1B (grounder to short), 1B, grounder to second), 1B, F/O (1), PB, F/O (2), removed from game

AKRON (51-31, 1st, 5.5 GA) - Won 7-5 at Erie
Trevor Crowe (218), 2-4, 2B, RBI, W
Asdrubal Cabrera (337), 1-4
Brian Barton (301), 1-5, RBI
Michael Aubrey (216), 4-5, 2B, 2 RBI
- Last 4G: 11-for-19 (.579)
- Previous: 0-for-31
Ryan Goleski (261), 2-4, RBI, W
Rodney Choy Foo (278), 1-4, HR (6), 2 RBI, W
Reid Santos (6-1, 2.09), 6IP, 4H, 2R, 0W, 5K, 2HR
Cliff Politte (9.00), 1IP, 1H, 0R

KINSTON (7-3, 1st, 1.0 GA) - Won 10-5 at Winston-Salem
Jerad Head (268), 2-4, W
Stephen Head (251), 1-4, W
Max Ramirez (315), 3-4, 2B, 3 RBI, W
Wes Hodges (330), 3-5, 2B
John Drennen (244), 1-4, RBI, W
Matt Whitney (300), 2-4, 2B, HR (2), 4 RBI
Josh Rodriguez (230), 2-4
Kevin Dixon (6-3, 3.79), 6IP, 4H, 2R, 5W, 1K
- 14 groundball outs

LAKE COUNTY (8-3, 1st, 1.0 GA) - Won 6-1 at Delmarva
Jason Denham (276), 1-5
Adam Davis (277), 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, W, SB
Beau Mills (277), 1-5
Nick Weglarz (269), 1-3, RBI
Ramon Pena (258), 1-4, RBI
Dustin Realini (235), 1-4, RBI
Jennmar Gomez (8-6, 5.57), 5IP, 3H, 1R, 3W, 4K, HR

MAHONING VALLEY (6-8, 4th, 3.0 GB) - Lost 4-2 at Auburn
Juan Valdes (289), 0-4, W
Jansy Infante (375), 1-5
Alex Castillo (375), 3-4, RBI
Todd Martin (354), 1-4, HR (3), RBI
Justin Jenkins (242), 1-4
Mark Thompson (175), 2-4
Heath Taylor (2.57), 4IP, 2H, 1R, 1W, 1K

GCL INDIANS (9-3, 1st, 1.5 GA) - Won 5-1 v GCL Braves
Ramon Hernandez (188), 1-3, 2W
- walked by Tanyon Sturtze
Jason Smit (250), 0-3, 2W
- walked by Tanyon Sturtze
Angel Rodriguez (359), 3-5
Chris Nash (379), 1-4, 2B, RBI
Ronald Rivas (235), 1-4
Isaias Velasquez (167), 1-3
Stephen Douglas (355), 3-4, 3B, 2 RBI, SB
Corteze Armstrong (400), 2-4, 2B, RBI
Ryan Morris (2-0, 1.80), 6IP, 0H, 0R, 3W, 4K
- six no-hit innings

Posted on 7/03/2007

July 02, 2007

CIR 7.2.07 - Four in a Row

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Big arms in Cleveland, big bats in Buffalo and Akron, and Grady, CC, and Victor headed to San Francisco with the stars.

CLEVELAND (49-32, 1st, 1.5 GA) - Won 3-2 v Tampa Bay
Grady Sizemore (285), 1-4, RBI
- big RBI knock in 7th
Casey Blake (272), 1-4
Jhonny Peralta (284), 2-4, RBI, HR (14)
Travis Hafner (257), 1-4
Ryan Garko (294), 2-4, 2B
Ben Francisco (333), 1-3, 2B
Cliff Lee (5-4, 4.90), 8IP, 4H, 1R, 2W, 9K, HR
- career high 9 punchouts
- struck out the side in 1st
Joe Borowski (5.68, sv24), 1IP, 2H, 1R

BUFFALO (46-35, 1st, 3.0 GA) - Won 8-7 at Rochester (10 INN)
Joe Inglett (270), 4-5, 2B-2
Ryan Mulhern (315), 1-5, RBI
Andy Marte (246), 2-4, 2B, HR (7)
Mike Rose (276), 3-5, HR (2), RBI
- game-winner in 10th
Brad Snyder (250), 2-5, HR (9), 2 RBI, W, SB
- 7G hit streak (.333, 8-for-24)
JVE (328), 1-5
Hector Luna (259), 0-6, 2K, 2E (20)
- rough day
Jeremy Sowers (5.26), 6.2IP, 10H, 7R, 6ER, 1W, 5K, 1HR
- 93 pitches, 68 strikes
- Scoreless first two innings, gave up 5 in third

AKRON (50-31, 1st, 4.5 GA) - Won 13-11 at Erie
Trevor Crowe (214), 2-4 HR (2), 3 RBI, 2W
- 7G hit streak
Asdrubal Cabrera (338), 3-4, HR (7), 2 RBI, W
- 338/413/502/915
- Last 10G: 16-for-41 (390), 5W, 1K
Brian Barton (303), 1-3, W
Michael Aubrey (174), 2-5, 2B, RBI
Ryan Goleski (258), 1-5, RBI
Rodney Choy Foo (279), 1-3, 2 RBI
Chris Gimenez (308), 1-4, RBI
Argenis Reyes (262), 1-5, 2B, 3 RBI
Jake Dittler (4.54), 5.1IP, 11H, 9R, 2W, 4K, HR

KINSTON (6-3, T-1st) - Won 8-3 at Winston-Salem
Nathan Panther (286), 2-5
Jerad Head (258), 1-6, SB
Stephen Head (251), 1-3, RBI, W, SB
Max Ramirez (307), 1-4, W
Wes Hodges (324), 1-4, 2B, RBI, W
Matt Whitney (250), 2-5, HR (1), 4 RBI
Mike Butia (251), 2-4, 2B, RBI, W
Josh Rodriguez (226), 1-5, RBI
Randy Edell (8-3, 3.27), 5.2IP, 3H, 1R, 2W, 4K

LAKE COUNTY (7-3, T-1st) - Lost 7-6 at Delmarva
Jason Denham (278), 1-3, HR (6), RBI, 2W
Beau Mills (235), 1-5
Matt McBride (298), 3-5, RBI
Nick Weglarz (268), 1-4, W
Ramon Pena (258), 3-5, RBI
Josh Tomlin (7-1, 3.32), 5IP, 6H, 5R, 4ER, 2W, 6K

MAHONING VALLEY (6-7, 4th, 2.0GB) - Lost 6-4 at Auburn
Jansy Infante (395), 2-5
Alex Castillo (333), 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Todd Martin (364), 1-5
Matt Brown (289), 0-2, 2W
Justin Jenkins (241), 3-4, 2B, RBI
Ryan Miller (0-2, 18.69), 0.1IP, 3H, 5R, 4W, 0W, 1K
- Ouch
James Brettl, Daniel Morales, Brett Carlin, 7.2IP, 5H, 1R

GCL INDIANS - Off

Posted on 7/02/2007

July 01, 2007

CIR 7.1.07 - CC Picks up a Dozen

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CC picks up his 12th, Laffey notches his 6th in a row, Carleton no-hits through one, and Kelvin De La Cruz is sensational again for the littlest Indians.

CLEVELAND (48-32, 1st, 1.5 GA) - Won 8-3 v Tampa Bay
Grady Sizemore (285), 3-4, 3 RBI, W
Casey Blake (273), 1-5, 2 RBI
Victor Martinez (323), 3-5, 2B-2
Travis Hafner (257), 1-3, RBI, 2W, HR (13)
Jhonny Peralta (281), 2-5, RBI
Ryan Garko (290), 2-4, 2B
Franklin Gutierrez (288), 2-4, 2B
Josh Barfield (262), 1-4, RBI
CC Sabathia (12-2, 3.20), 7IP, 6H, 3R, 2ER, 0W, 8K
- 1st in bigs to 12 wins
- 100 pitches, 69 strikes, 0 walks, 8 strikeouts
Rafael Perez (2.05), 1.1 IP, 2H, 2R, 0W, 1K, 2 HR
- back-to-back longballs in the 9th
Joe Borowski (5.58, sv 23), .2IP, 0H, 0R
- 6 pitches, 5 strikes, 2 outs, 23rd save

BUFFALO (45-35, 1st, 3.0 GA) - Won 4-1 at Rochester
Hector Luna (266), 1-5
Luis Rivas (260), 1-4, W
Ryan Mulhern (317), 2-2, HR (12), 2 RBI, W
Andy Marte (239), 1-3, RBI, W
JVE (340), 3-4
Aaron Laffey (6-3, 3.10), 8.1IP, 6H, 1R, 3W, 9K
- Sensational June - 0.87 ERA, 41.1IP, 30H, 4R, 7W, 38K
- Gave up run in 1st, then retired next 10
- removed in 9th after one-out walk and single and 116 pitches

AKRON (49-31, 1st, 3.5 GA) - Won 7-6 at Erie
Trevor Crowe (210), 2-5, RBI, SB (16)
- 6G hit streak
- Last 10G: 324 (12-for-37), 6W, 0K
Asdrubal Cabrera (332), 3-4, 3 RBI, W, SB (21)
Jordan Brown (325), 2-5, 2B (25), RBI
Brian Barton (302), 1-5
Michael Aubrey (156), 2-4
Chris Gimenez (333), 1-5, 2B
Rodney Choy Foo (278), 3-5, HR (5), RBI
Chuck Lofgren (4.37), 4.2IP, 7H, 4R, 4W, 5K
- Last 3G: 16IP, 21H, 13R, 8W
Cliff Politte (11.25), .2IP, 2H, 2R, 1W, 1K
- struggling in return

KINSTON (5-3, 2nd, 1.0 GB) - Won 5-2 at Winston-Salem
Nathan Panther (282), 2-4, W, SB
Stephen Head (250), 1-3, 2B, 2W
Matt Whitney (182), 1-4, RBI, W
Mike Butia (246), 2-3, 2B, RBI, W
Josh Rodriguez (276), 1-4, HR (7), 2 RBI
Frank Herrmann (6-2, 3.58), 6IP, 7H, 2R, 1ER, 0W, 2K

LAKE COUNTY (7-2, T-1st) - Lost 5-2 at Delmarva
Jason Denham (277), 1-3, W
Adam Davis (274), 1-3, W
Beau Mills (250), 0-3, W
Matt McBride (291), 1-4
Nick Weglarz (269), 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, W
Carleton Smith (5-6, 5.42), 5.2IP, 8H, 5R, 1W, 4K, 2 HR
- No-hitter through one

MAHONING VALLEY (6-6, T-3rd, 2.0 GB) - Lost 5-1 at Batavia
Juan Valdes (361), 2-4
Todd Martin (385), 1-3
Matt Brown (306), 1-3
Justin Jenkins (160), 1-4
Mike Eisenberg (1-1, 3.38), 5IP, 6H, 4R, 0W, 3K

GCL INDIANS (7-3, 1st, 1.0 GA) - Won 19-0 v GCL Braves
Jason Smit (270), 2-5, HR (1), 5 RBI
Angel Rodriguez (324), 2-6, RBI, W, SB
Richard Martinez ( 342), 1-5, 2 RBI, W
Chris Nash (400), 3-4, 2B, HR-2(3), GS, 6 RBI, W
Kelvin De la Cruz (3-0, 0.50), 6Ip, 3H, 0R, 1W, 5K
- 3G: 18IP, 7H, 2W, 20K

Posted on 7/01/2007

June 30, 2007

CIR 6.30 - Francisco Walks Off

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CLEVELAND (47-32, 1st, 0.5 GA) - Won 2-1 v Tampa Bay
Grady Sizemore (279), 0-2, 2W, SB
Casey Blake (274), 1-4
Victor Martinez (318), 1-3, RBI, W
Travis Hafner (257), 1-4
Jhonny Peralta (279), 1-4
Trot Nixon (243), 2-3, W
Ben Francisco (333), 2-4, RBI, HR (walk-off)
- 1st start, 1st hit, 1st homer, 1st walk-off, 1st home plate mob, 1st shaving cream pie in face
Jake Westbrook (6.10), 7IP, 5H, 1R, 2W, 7K
Rafael Betancourt (1.27), 1IP, 1K
Joe Borowski (1-3, 5.70), 1IP, 1H, 1K

BUFFALO (44-35, 1st) - Won 5-4 at SWB
Hector Luna (267), 1-5, 2B, 2 RBI, W
Luis Rivas (260), 1-6
Ryan Mulhern (312), 2-5, RBI
Andy Marte (237), 2-5, HR (8), RBI
Brad Snyder (244), 1-3, 2W
JVE (306), 1-4, RBI, W
Sean Smith (4.29), 6IP, 7H, 4R, 4W, 2K
Matt Miller (3.00), 1IP, 2K

AKRON (48-31, 1st) - Won 6-2 at Binghamton
Trevor Crowe (207), 1-5
Asdrubal Cabrera (326), 1-4, W
Jordan Brown (324), 1-4, W
Brian Barton (304), 0-2, 2W
Michael Aubrey (133), 3-5, HR (2), 2 RBI
Chris Gimenez (500), 2-4, 2B, HR (1), 3 RBI, W
- 1st game for Akron
- 286/425/595/1.019, 7 2B, 16 HR, 41 RBI, 39W in Kinston
- OPS (1st), SLG (2nd), OBP (2nd), HR (2nd), W (3rd)
Argenis Reyes (266), 2-4, 2B-2, RBI
Shawn Nittingham (6-4, 4.26), 6Ip, 6H, 1R, 1W, 6K
- 1st win since May 27

KINSTON (4-3, 2nd) - Lost 8-7 at Frederator
CDLC (318), 1-1, RBI, 2W, SB
Max Ramirez (308), 2-4, HR (12), RBI
Jerad Head (268), 1-2, HR (2), RBI
Wes Hodges (333), 2-3, HR (7), 2 RBI, W
Matt Whitney (143), 0-3, W
Josh Rodriguez (226), 1-4, SB
Mike Butia (239), 1-4, HR (6), 2 RBI
Steven Wright (11.25), 4IP, 5H, 6R, 5ER, 1W, 3K
- high-A debut

LAKE COUNTY (7-1, T-1st) - Won 12-8 at Hagerstown
Adam Davis (274), 2-4, 3R, HR (5), 4 RBI, W, SB
Beau Mills (333), 1-4, RBI
Matt McBride (292), 1-5, RBI
Cirillo Cumberbatch (317), 1-3, 2B, RBI, 2W
Fernando Pacheco (750), 4-5, HR (2), RBI

MAHONING VALLEY (6-5, T-2nd) - Lost 10-3 at Batavia
Adam White (222), 2-5, SB
Jansy Infante (441), 3-5
- Last 2G: 7-for-9
- Last 4G: 10-for-20
Todd Martin (389), 2-4, 2B, RBI
Juan Valdes (344), 3-4
Matt Brown (303), 1-4, 2B, RBI
William Delage (0-1, 6.43), 4IP, 5H, 4R, 3ER, 1W, 1K

GCL INDIANS (6-3, T-1st) - Won 5-1 @ GCL Yanks
Jason Smit (250), 1-4, RBI
Angel Rodriguez (321), 2-4, RBI, SB
Robert Alcombrack (167), 1-4, HR (1), RBI
Chris Nash (333), 1-4, HR (1), RBI
Stephen Douglas (333), 2-4, 2B, RBI, SB-2
Gregario Rosario (2-0, 5.70), 4.2IP, 3H, 1R, 0W, 5K

Posted on 6/30/2007

June 28, 2007

CIR UPDATE

Sorry gang, no report this afternoon. Work demanded an earlier start this morning as well as an abbreviated lunch. Look for today's report sometime this evening.

Posted on 6/28/2007

June 27, 2007

CIR UPDATE: Mulhern and Rivas All-Stars

Ryan Mulhern and Luis Rivas were selected to the International League All-Star team today. They'll join skipper Torey Lovullo in Albuquerque for the game on July 11. More in the next CIR.

Posted on 6/27/2007

CIR UPDATE: Fultz on DL

The Indians placed Aaron Fultz on the 15-day disabled list with a right intercostal strain and recalled Edward Mujica from Buffalo to take his place in the bullpen. The move is retroactive to June 23 which makes Fultz eligible to come off the DL on July 8. More in the next CIR.

Posted on 6/27/2007

CIR 6.27.07 - 9th Inning Magic

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(shoot, I thought I posted this early this morning)

With five victories throughout the organization yesterday, all seven teams, from Cleveland to the Haven, currently have at least a share of first place. How cool is that? Entering yesterday's games, only Milwaukee (184-126, .594) had a better organizational winning percentage than the Indians (188-141, .571).

CLEVELAND (45-31, T-1st) - Won 8-5 v Oakland
- Rally with 5 in bottom of 9th off Alan Embree
- Hafner 2-run 2B, Shoppach 3-run pinch-hit, walk-off HR
Grady Sizemore (282), 2-3, 3E, RBI, 2W, 2B, HR (13)
Casey Blake (273), 1-5
Victor Martinez (313), 1-3, 2W, 2B
Travis Hafner (259), 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI, W
Jhonny Peralta (281), 1-4, RBI, W
Ryan Garko (292), 1-4
Kelly Shoppach (382), 1-1, 3 RBI, HR (4)
Jason Michaels (298), 1-4
Josh Barfield (267), 2-4
Cliff Lee (5.37), 6IP, 6H, 3R, 2W, 3K, 2 HR
Rafael Perez (0.87), 2IP, 0H, 0W, 3K

BUFFALO (42-35, 1st) - Lost 5-0 at Scranton
Hector Luna (274), 1-4, E (18)
Joe Inglett (263), 0-2, 2W, CS (8)
Andy Marte (230), 0-4
- Last 10G: .128, 5-for-39, 0W, 9K
Brad Snyder (241), 1-3, SB (8)
- Last 10G: .107, 3-for-28, 0W, 7K
Jeremy Sowers (0-2, 4.26), 7.1IP, 9H, 5R, 3ER, 1W, 2K, 2HR, 2 HBP
- Tired in late innings
- Solo HR in first, scoreless 2nd through 6th, scattered BB/HBP
- Roughed up in 7th and 8th for four runs
- 105 pitches, 75 strikes

AKRON (45-30, 1st) - Won 2-1 at Binghamton (G1)
Trevor Crowe (194), 1-3, W
- back in the leadoff spot
Asdrubal Cabrera (325), 1-4, 2B
Jordan Brown (314), 1-3, 2B, RBI, W
Brian Barton (301), 1-3, W
Jake Dittler (3-1, 2.97), 6IP, 5H, 1R, 2W, 5K
- 2G w/Akron since demotion from AAA: 11IP and 1R

AKRON (45-31, 1st) - Lost 4-2 at Binghamton (G2)
Trevor Crowe (195), 1-4, SB (14)
Asdrubal Cabrera (328), 2-4
Jordan Brown (320), 3-4, 2B, RBI
Brian Barton (300), 1-4
Ryan Goleski (256), 1-2, RBI, W
Joe Ness (4-2, 5.43), 5IP, 5H, 4R, 3ER, 2W, 4K

KINSTON (2-2, T-1st) - RAINED OUT DOUBLEHEADER v SALEM
- Will make up games on 8/13 and 8/15

LAKE COUNTY (5-1, T-1st) - Won 9-2 v Hagerstown
Jason Denham (278), 1-5
Adam Davis (264), 1-2, 3R, RBI, 2W, SB (10)
Cirillo Cumberbatch (330), 3-5, RBI
- hitting in the three hole
Matt Whitney (308), 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Nick Weglarz (265), 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, W
- Smokin'
Dustin Realini (256), 2-5, 2B, RBI
Jennmar Gomez (7-6, 5.81), 5IP, 3H, 1R, 1W, 4K, HR
- Last 2G: 11IP, 6H, 2R, 4W, 7K
- Before that (6/14): 4.1IP, 14H, 10R
Neil Wagner (3.18), 2IP, 5K
- 35 strikeouts in 31.2 innings
- 9 strikeouts in 4 innings (last two games)

MAHONING VALLEY (5-3, T-1st) - Won 14-8 v Auburn
Adam White (214), 2-6, RBI
Jansy Infante (381), 3-6, 2B
Beau Mills (179), 2-4, 2B, RBI, W
Todd Martin (364), 2-4, W
Juan Valdes (263), 2-5, HR (1), 4 RBI
Nick Petrucci (156), 3-5, 3B, RBI
Alex Castillo (XXX), 4-5, 2B, HR (1), 6 RBI, SB
- Grand Slam
Justin Jenkins (182), 1-5, RBI
Ryan Miller (9.00), 2IP, 5H, 3R, 2ER, 0W, 3K
Garrett Rieck (0.00), 2.2IP, 5K
- 2G: 6.2IP, 0H, 7K
Brett Carlin (0.00, Sv1), 3IP, 0H, 2K

GCL INDIANS (5-1, T-1st) - Won 9-2 v GCL Blue Jays
Stephen Douglas (375), 1-5, 2 RBI, SB
Jason Smit (238), 1-4, 2B
Angel Rodriguez (350), 2-4, W, SB
Richard Martinez (500), 1-3, 2W, SB
Ronald Rivas (300), 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Robert Alcombrack (182), 1-4
Chris Nash (286), 1-3, 2 RBI, W
Jeff Nillson (300), 1-4, RBI
Corteze Armstrong (417), 2-4, 2 RBI, SB
Ryan Morris (1-0, 3.00), 5IP, 2H, 1R, 1W, 8K

Posted on 6/27/2007

June 26, 2007

CIR 6.26 - CC Racks Up #11

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CC Sabathia continues to build his case for being named the American League All-Star Game starting pitcher with another sensational outing last night, tossing a complete-game gem against his hometown A's in the Tribe's 5-2 victory over Oakland. After giving up two runs in the second, the big left-hander settled down and retired 13 in a row in the middle innings. Assisted by three double-plays, Sabathia recorded 14 outs via the ground-ball and needed 111 pitches to go the distance. More importantly, his velocity was solid in the 9th and he looked like he was throwing very much at ease through the final punchout of Mark Kotsay to end the game. That final pitch sequence was particularly nasty with a 94 mph fastball for strike one, a filthy 81 mph breaking pitch for strike two, a perfect 0-2 waste pitch down and away, and another filthy breaking pitch for strike three. Kotsay never took the bat off his shoulder. Sabathia will have two more starts prior to the break, 6/30 v Tampa Bay and 7/5 at Detroit, and, coincidentally enough, his next scheduled outing would be July 10 which just happens to be the date of the midsummer classic.

Adam Miller returned to the mound yesterday for the first time since May 12, working a perfect inning for the Bisons. Touching 98 mph on his final pitch (according to the Buffalo News), all signs were positive for Miller, who retired the side in order on 10 pitches, 8 of which were strikes, including the first three to start the game to an overmatched Tike Redman. Most importantly, the big right-hander reported no discomfort in the middle finger of his right hand afterwards. Torey Lovullo told the BNews that Miller may work another one-inning stint as early as Thursday. Beyond that, his work load is expected to gradually increase from one to two to three inning outings leading into a full rotation spot, albeit with a likely restricted pitch count. That is, however, unless the Indians potentially see him working the 6th-thru-8th innings for the big league club later in the summer. Just saying.

Lost in the return of Miller to the mound was another strong performance by Aaron Laffey, who took over in the second and limited Norfolk to just two runs (one earned) in seven innings while striking out six and walking one. For Laffey, the two runs allowed were his first since June 7, a streak covering 17 innings. The outing also "raised" his ERA to 0.82 for the month. In five June starts, the left-hander has allowed only 3 runs in 33 innings while punching out 29 and surrendering just 23 hits and 4 walks. Laffey, incidentally, is 3-1/2 months younger than Adam Miller. Sowers, Lofgren, and Laffey. Not a bad law firm or southpaw trio.

CLEVELAND (44-31, 2nd, 1.0 GB) - Won 5-2 v Oakland
Casey Blake (274), 1-4
Victor Martinez (313), 1-4, 2B
Travis Hafner (259), 2-4, HR (11), RBI
- First HR since May 31 (68 ABs)
- Hitting .214 (15-for-70) in June
- Some nice ABs and swings last night
Jhonny Peralta (281), 1-3, RBI, W, SB (3)
- Great defensive play sliding in the hole with a pop and throw to first
Ryan Garko (293), 1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, 2W
- First 2B since May 30
- Hitting .175 (10-for-57) in June
- Smoked that double to center in the 8th
Trot Nixon (244), 1-2, W
Jason Michaels (299), 1-1, 2B, RBI
Franklin Gutierrez (269), 0-4, 3K, 6LOB
- 6G hit streak snapped
Josh Barfield (263), 1-4, 2B
CC Sabathia (11-2, 3.24), 9IP, 9H, 2R, 0W, 8K

BUFFALO (42-34, 1st) - Won 4-2 v Norfolk
Luis Rivas (267), 2-4, HR (8), RBI
Joe Inglett (266), 3-3, 2B, W
Ryan Mulhern (313), 2-4
Hector Luna (274), 1-3, 2B, 3 RBI
- Bases loaded two-bagger
- First game in 5 days - HBP in face
- MILB notes that he still has two black eyes
- Ouch
Adam Miller (2.40), 1IP, 0H, 0W, 1K
- 10 pitches, 8 strikes
- First game since May 12
Aaron Laffey (5-3, 3.44), 7IP, 7H, 2R, 1ER, 1W, 6K
- 0.82 ERA in June (33IP, 23H, 3R, 4W, 29K)
- First runs allowed since June 7 - 17 straight scoreless
- 3.44 AAA ERA inflated by 10 runs in 2.2 innings on 5/22
- Shade under four months younger than Adam Miller
Matt Miller (0-0, 3.21)
- Placed on DL with right forearm injury (sounds pretty vague, no?)
- Would be nice to see what he could if the arm could stay healthy

AKRON (44-30, 1st) - Won 8-7 v Bowie
Argenis Reyes (269), 3-4, 2B, HR (3), RBI
Asdrubal Cabrera (326), 1-3, WB, 2 RBI, W, SB (18)
- 326/405/485/890, 16 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 33 BB, 30 K
Brian Barton (301), 1-3, HR (7), 2 RBI, W
- 301/408/443/881, 10 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 38 RBI, 23 W, 58 K
Michael Aubrey (122), 0-4, RBI
Wyatt Toregas (258), 2-4, HR (3), 2 RBI
Trevor Crowe (192), 0-3, W
Chuck Lofgren (7-5, 4.17), 6IP, 8H, 6R, 5ER, 2W, 4K, HR
- Selected to play in Futures Game (USA) on 7/8

KINSTON (2-2, 2nd, 1H Champs) - RAIN OUT
Max Ramirez
- Selected to play in Futures Game (World) on 7/8

LAKE COUNTY (4-1, T-1st) - Won 5-3 v Hagerstown
Jason Denham (280), 1-5, HR (5), RBI, SB (9)
Matt Whitney (306), 1-3, RBI, W
Nick Weglarz (260), 4-4, 2B, HR (11), RBI
- 260/394/455/848, 14 2B, 11 HR, 49 W, 66 K
- Last 10G: .389 (14-for-36), 7 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 9 W
Josh Tomlin (7-0, 3.00), 7IP, 6H, 3R, 2ER, 1W, 3K, HR

MAHONING VALLEY (4-3, T-2nd) - Lost 6-5 v Auburn
Beau Mills (125), 0-4
Jansy Infante (333), 1-5
Adam White (182), 1-4
Todd Martin (333), 3-5, 2B, HR (1), 3 RBI
Juan Valdes (214), 2-4, W
Matt Brown (300), 2-4
Mike Eisenberg (1-0, 1.64), 5IP, 3H, 1R, 1W, 4K
- Two nice outings

GCL INDIANS (4-1, 2nd), - Won 4-2 v GCL Tigers
Jason Smit (235), 2-4, RBI
Richard Martinez (545), 1-3, 2 RBI
Stephen Douglas (455), 2-3, W
Kelvin De La Cruz (0.75), 7IP, 2H, 0R, 1W, 8K
- 2G: 12IP, 4H, 1R, 1W, 15K
- Nice size - 6'5", 187, LHP, Dominican Republic
- Turned 19 in January (according to milb.com)
- Turns 19 in August (according to the media guide)

Posted on 6/26/2007

June 25, 2007

CIR 6.25.07

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LINE OF THE DAY - Carleton Smith (7IP), Austin Creps (1IP), and Luis Perdomo (1IP) combine to no-hit Delmarva in the Captains 2-0 victory over the Shorebirds. Smith punched out the side in the first and retired the first seven he faced before yielding a one-out walk in the top of the third. After dispatching the next two to finish the inning, Smith retired the final 12 batters he faced before giving way to Creps due to pitch count limitations (the milb wrap claims 68 pitches while the milb story says 77 pitches; I'll side with the latter). Creps and Perdomo each walked a batter in their respective frames but managed to escape without yielding a knock and preserving the first no-no in Captains history.

CLEVELAND (43-31, 2nd, 2.0 GB) - Lost 3-1 at Washington
Travis Hafner (255), 1-3, W
- 197/312/227/539, 13-for-66, 2 2B in June
Franklin Gutierrez (292), 1-3, HR (3), RBI
- 292/320/479/799, 5-for-9 v Nats
Josh Barfield (263), 2-3, 2B
- 338 in June (27-for-80)
- Last walk on May 25 (Nate Robertson), 28G, 105AB
Jake Westbrook (1-3, 7.08), 7IP, 7H, 3R, 0W, 2K
- 88 pitches, 60 strikes
- 13 groundouts, 6 fly outs
- Typical Westbrook outing. Welcome back!

BUFFALO (41-34, 1st) - Lost 8-5 v Norfolk
Joe Inglett (253), 0-2, 2 RBI, 2 SF
Ryan Mulhern (310), 2-4, 2B, HR (11), 2 RBI
- 310/366/545/911
Jason Cooper (256), 1-3, 2B, W
Andy Marte (238), 0-4
Brad Snyder (240), 1-4
Buzzie Buzachero (4.32), 3.1IP, 8H, 7R, 5ER, 1W, 0K
Edward Mujica (5.84), 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0W, 2K
- Did not pitch during 5 days with the Tribe

AKRON (43-30, 1st) - Lost 2-1 v Bowie
Rodney Choy Foo (282), 0-2, 2W
Asdrubal Cabrera (326), 1-4, RBI
Brian Barton (300), 1-4, SB-2 (15)
Trevor Crowe (194), 0-3
Wyatt Toregas (252), 1-3
Shawn Nottingham (4.37), 7IP, 4H, 2R, 1W, 4K

KINSTON (2-2, T-1st) - Won 6-3 v Salem
Nathan Panther (276), 2-3, 2B, 3B, RBI, W, SB
- 276/403/572/976, 10 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 28W, 27K
- Last 10G: .400 (14-for-35), 3 HR, 11 RBI
Max Ramirez (302), 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI
John Drennen (254), 1-4, 2B
Chris Gimenez (287), 2-3, HR (16), RBI, W, SB
- 287/425/602/1.028, 7 2B, 16 HR, 38W, 35K
- Last 10G: .333 (10-for-30), 14 walks
- Low 2B/HR (7/16) ratio hints at hitting mistakes
- Strong BB/K (38/35) ratio indicates good approach at plate
Wes Hodges (326), 0-4
- 326/389/505/895
- 20 game hit streak snapped
- Last 10G: .381 (16-for-42)
Randy Edell (3.41), 3IP, 6H, 2R, 0W, 2K
Jason Deters (6-2, 2.05), 4.1IP, 4H, 0R, 1W, 2K

LAKE COUNTY (3-1, T-2nd) - Won 2-0 v Delmarva
Jason Denham (282), 1-3, RBI, W
Matt McBride (297), 2-4, 2B (21)
Nick Weglarz (248), 1-2, RBI, 2W
Carleton Smith (5-5, 5.23), 7IP, 0H, 0R, 1W, 4K
- 75.2IP, 82H, 23W, 42K, .269 BAA v LH, .269 BAA v RH
- Last outing: 5IP, 4H, 1R, 0W, 4K
Austin Creps (4.50), 1IP, 0H, 1W
Luis Perdomo (3.53, Sv3), 1IP, 0H, 1W, 1K

MAHONING VALLEY (4-2, T-1st) - Lost 4-3 v Batavia
Beau Mills (150), 0-3, W
- 3-for-20, 2B, 2W, 6K
Matt Brown (250), 2-4, 2B, RBI
Jeff Hehr(353), 1-3
Jansy Infante (406), 1-3, W, 2 RBI
Osiel Flores (200), 1-3
Joanniel Montero (0-1, 5.79), 4.2IP, 7H, 3R, 1W, 2K

GCL INDIANS (3-1, 2nd) - Off Day

Posted on 6/25/2007

June 18, 2007

CIR 6.18.07

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CLEVELAND (40-28, 1st) - Won 5-2 v Atlanta
Grady Sizemore (285), 0-4
Jason Michaels (269), 1-4, RBI
- game-changing catch in 8th with two-on
Casey Blake (281), 1-4
- 26 game hit streak
Victor Martinez (323), 1-4
Jhonny Peralta (280), 1-3, W, 2B
Trot Nixon (241), 0-1, 3W
Franklin Gutierrez (229), 2-4, RBI, SB
- great slide at home
Fausto Carmona (8-2, 3.12), 7IP, 5H, 2R, 2W, 5K
- headed for 1st all-star game
Joe Borowski (6.33, sv 20), 1IP, 2H, 1K
- career save number 100

BUFFALO (37-31, 1st) - Lost 3-2 at Norfolk
Ben Francisco (329), 1-5, SB
Luis Rivas (275), 1-5, SB, 4K
Hector Luna (253), 2-4, 2B
Andy Marte (263), 1-4, RBI
JVE (389), 1-4, HR (2), RBI
- Akron: 344/416/583/999, 14 2B, 5 3B, 4 HR, 48 K, 151 AB
- Buffalo: 389/500/833/1.333, 1 3B, 2 HR, 7K, 18 AB
Sean Smith (5-5, 4.31), 6IP, 6H, 2R, 2W, 4K

AKRON (39-28, 1st) - Lost 3-1 at Portland
Argenis Reyes (263), 1-4
Jordan Brown (321), 1-4, HR (4), RBI
Ryan Goleski (258), 2-3, W
Trevor Crowe (197), 1-4
Brian Barton (307), 0-4, 3K
- 55K in 228 AB, 6K last 3G (1-for-10)
Scott Lewis (2-4, 3.71), 5IP, 6H, 2R, 1ER, 0W, 8K

KINSTON (45-24, 1st) - Lost 3-0 at Myrtle Beach
Jose Constanza (244), 1-4, SB
Chris Gimenez (288), 1-3, W
Wes Hodges (325), 1-3, W
Josh Rodriguez (244), 1-4
Randy Edell (7-3, 3.29), 5.2IP, 7H, 2R, 0W, 4K

LAKE COUNTY (31-39, 5th) - Lost 11-7 at West Virginia
Jason Denham (273), 1-4, 2B, W, SB
Matt McBride (294), 3-4, HR (5), 4 RBI, W
- 294/372/460/852, 20 2B
- Last 10G: 15-for-39 (385), 4 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI
Matt Whitney (309), 2-3, 2W
- 309/374/561/935, 18 2B, 16 HR
- Last 10G: 15-for-38 (395), 3 HR, 9 RBI
Nick Weglarz (249), 1-4, HR (9), 3 RBI
- 249/383/422/805, 44W, 60K
Ramon Pena (269), 1-4
Steven Wright (4.69), 5.1IP, 3H, 2R, 2W, 7K
Cody Bunkelman (6.82), 1IP, 3H, 6R, 3W, 2K, 2HR

Posted on 6/18/2007

June 11, 2007

CIR UPDATE: Brief Hiatus

It started over the weekend and will likely continue through Wednesday - a major work event is going to make updates to the CIR extremely difficult over the next few days. We'll be back as soon as we can. GO TRIBE!

Posted on 6/11/2007

June 08, 2007

CIR UPDATE: Rounds 6-11

(apologies for the shortened format - time is very short today)

ROUND 6: Bo Greenwell, son of former Red Sox outfielder Mike, CF, Riverdale HS (Fort Myers, FL), signed with Miami-FL, 6'0" 185, #21 prospect in Florida (BA), compared to Mark Kotsay (BA), good bloodlines

ROUND 7: Cole St. Clair, LHP, Rice University, JR, 6'5 225, #56 overall prospect (BA), potential top 10 pick entering season (BA), missed first two months with shoulder injury, some scouts think he could start in pros (BA), not a closer in the bigs but can get out righties (mlb), high school teammate of Phil Hughes (BA), could be a difficult sign if he believes he can move into the first round next year as a senior. Intriguing pick.

ROUND 8: Mark Thompson, SS, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho), SR, 5'9" 165, say it with me..."scrappy", college bio, 382/491/570, 26W, 38SB-41ATT

ROUND 9: Adam White, OF, West Virginia University, JR, college bio, 365/439/417, 0 HR, 11 SB, 23W v 18K, 80 runner on 20-80, covers lot of ground in center, could team with fellow Mountaineer Justin Jenkins in Scrappers outfield.

ROUND 10: Heath Taylor, LHP, Oklahoma, 5'11" 228, college bio, OU #2 starter, 9-3, 3.57, 90.2IP, 76H, 53W, 80K, .228 BAA

ROUND 11: Matt Hague, 3B, U-Washington, JR, 6'3" 225, college bio, 353/446/606, 15 2B, 13HR, 34W, note trend in BA - 419 (05), 381 (06), and 353 (07). SLG Trend - 710 (05), 544 (06), 606 (07)

(back to work)

Posted on 6/08/2007

CIR UPDATE: Day 1 Recap

After Beau Mills, the Indians selected left-handed pitcher TJ McFarland out of Stagg HS in Illinois with their next pick in the fourth round. A 6'3, 190 pound southpaw, BA had him ranked as the #5 prospect in Illinois and notes that he throws in the low 90s and surged up draft boards in recent weeks. A University of Missouri signee, McFarland is expected to opt for pro ball. In the fifth, the Tribe popped Tampa University closer Jonathan Holt, who features a upper 80s / low 90s sinking fastball and pounds the strikezone with tremendous command of his fastball. A reliever with sink who throws strikes is someone who can move through the system very quickly. The draft resumes with round six on Friday.

Posted on 6/08/2007

CIR 6.8.07 - Take Series from KC

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CLEVELAND - Won 8-3 v Kansas City
Grady Sizemore (278), 2-5, 2 RBI, 2B, SB (18)
Casey Blake (280), 1-4, 2 RBI, W, HR (9)
Travis Hafner (272), 1-3, RBI
Victor Martinez (315), 1-4
Jason Michaels (277), 1-2, RBI, W, 2B, HR (4)
Josh Barfield (245), 2-3, 2 RBI, 2B
Franklin Gutierrez (235), 1-3, RBI, W, HR (2)
Fausto Carmona (7-1, 3.11), 7IP, 7H, 1R, 1W, 5K
- Too soon to talk about All-Star Game?
Tom Mastny (5.55), 1IP, 2H, 2R, 1W
- Last 3G: 2.1IP, 8R, 5W
- Matt Miller getting close at Buffalo

BUFFALO (33-24, 1st) - Won 3-2 v SWB
Ben Francisco (360), 2-2, 2B, 2 RBI, 2W
- 360/416/528/943
- 18 game hitting streak
Luis Rivas (298), 0-4
- 23 game on-base streak snapped
Ryan Mulhern (319), 3-3, HR (9), RBI
- 319/372/574/946
Aaron Laffey (5.40), 7IP, 6H, 2R, 1W, 4K, HR
- Last 3G: 21IP, 18H, 4R, 2W, 14K

AKRON - Lost 11-3 at New Hampshire
Asdrubal Cabrera (322), 2-5, 2B
Jordan Brown (321), 1-4, 2B
Brian Barton (299), 2-3
JVE (345), 1-4, 2B
Wyatt Toregas (261), 2-4
Shawn Nottingham (5-4, 4.33), 2IP, 8H, 6R

KINSTON - Lost 10-9 v Myrtle Beach
CDLC (305), 3-6, 2B-2, RBI
Max Ramirez (291), 1-3, HR (8), 2 RBI, W
- All-Star
John Drennen (256), 2-4, RBI, W
Jared Goedert (256), 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2W
Kevin Dixon (3.93), 6IP, 9H, 5R, 4ER, 0W, 4K, HR
Erik Stiller (0.00), 2IP, 5K
- 5G, 9.2IP, 0R

LAKE COUNTY - Won 10-7 v Hagerstown
Adam Davis (238), 2-5
Matt McBride (278), 2-4, 2B, HR (4), 3 RBI, W
Matt Whitney (295), 1-5
Ramon Pena (278), 3-5, 2B, HR (5), 3B
Carlos Rivero (274), 2-2, 2B, 2 RBI, 2W
Steven Wright (4-6, 4.75), 5IP, 11H, 6R, 0W, 3K

Posted on 6/08/2007

June 07, 2007

CIR UPDATE: Tribe Takes Beau Mills in 1st

The Indians selected 3B/1B (DH) Beau Mills from Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) with the 13th overall selection in the first round. Mills is generally regarded as one of the best college hitters in the draft with tremendous raw power. A position remains to be found and there's a lot of speculation that his best position in the field is the DH. Very interesting selection. Settle back, the Tribe doesn't pick again until the 4th round.

Posted on 6/07/2007

CIR 6.7.07 - Aubrey Rakes

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CLEVELAND (35-22, 1st) - Lost 4-3 v Kansas City
Grady Sizemore (275), 2-4, W
Casey Blake (280), 1-5, RBI
- 15 game hitting streak
Travis Hafner (271), 2-4, RBI, 2B
Victor Martinez (316), 0-3, RBI, SF
Jhonny Peralta (296), 1-4
David Dellucci (248), 2-4, 3B
Josh Barfield (239), 1-3
Kelly Shoppach (352), 0-3, 2R, W
Paul Byrd (3.80), 6IP, 10H, 4R, 1W, 4K, HR
- A walk, my god, a walk
Rafael Perez (0.00), 2.1IP, 1H, 0R, 2W, 1K

BUFFALO (32-24, 1st) - Won 7-2 v Dundler-Mifflin
Ben Francisco (354), 3-5
Luis Rivas (305), 2-5, 3B, 2 RBI
Shin Soo Choo (277), 2-4, 2B, W, RBI, SB
Andy Marte (262), 1-3, HR (5), RBI
Joe Inglett (268), 1-4
Ryan Mulhern (308), 1-4, 2B
Brad Snyder (271), 1-4, 2B, RBI
Buzzie Buzachero (2-1, 2.63), 5IP, 2H, 2R, 2W, 4K, HR
Matt Miller (3.75), 1IP, 1H, 2K
- Getting close, another back-to-back outing

AKRON (34-23, 1st) - Won 10-4 v New Hampshire
Asdrubal Cabrera (320), 3-5
Jordan Brown (330), 4-5, 2B, 4 RBI, SB
Brian Barton (294), 1-5, RBI
JVE (347), 4-5, 2B-2, RBI
Wyatt Toregas (254), 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Scott Lewis (3.91), 6IP, 5H, 2R, 0W, 4K, HR
Jensen Lewis (1.85), 1IP, 0H, 1W, 1K

KINSTON - Won 6-4 at Wilmington
CLDC (298), 2-4, 2B
Michael Aubrey (400), 3-3, HR-2 (5), 3 RBI, W
Chris Gimenez (275), 2-5
Jared Goedert (240), 3-5, RBI
- Voted as started for Sally League ASG
Wes Hodges (285), 2-4, 2RBI, W
- 1st game since May 21
Randy Edell (6-2, 3.28), 7IP, 5H, 2R, 0ER, 0W, 3K
- Last 3G: 18.1IP, 3R

LAKE COUNTY - Lost 9-3 at Delmarva
Jason Denham (290), 2-5, 2B, RBI
Ramon Pena (269), 0-3, W, 3K
Matt McBride (273), 1-4
Carlos Rivero (267), 1-3
Carleton Smith (3-4, 6.14), 5IP, 8H, 7R, 3W, 2K

Posted on 6/07/2007

June 06, 2007

CIR 6.6.07 - CC CenCastional

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CLEVELAND - Won 1-0 v Kansas City
Casey Blake (281), 1-4
- 14 game hitting streak
Travis Hafner (267), 0-4, 3K
Victor Martinez (321), 2-3, W
Josh Barfield (237), 1-3
Franklin Gutierrez (231), 1-3, HR (1), RBI
CC Sabathia (9-1, 3.40), 9IP, 5H, 0R, 0W, 8K
- Dominating

BUFFALO - Lost 15-4 v Scranton
Ben Francisco (347), 2-5
Luis Rivas (303), 1-5
Andy Marte (258), 2-3, 2B, RBI, W
Ryan Mulhern (309), 2B-2, 3 RBI
Sean Smith (5-3, 4.35), 5IP, 8H, 7R, 6ER, 4W, 1K
Matt Miller (4.09), 1IP, 2K

AKRON - Won 8-1 v New Hampshire
Argenis Reyes (272), 2-5
Asdrubal Cabrera (312), 2-4, 2B-2, 3 RBI
Jordan Brown (319), 4-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Brian Barton (296), 2-5, HR (6), 2 RBI
JVE (331), 1-5
Wyatt Toregas (240), 2-4
Reid Santos (3-1, 1.93), 5IP, 4H, 1R, 0W, 2K, HR

KINSTON - Won 3-1 at Wilmington
John Drennen (256), 2-4
Chris Gimenez (270), 2-3, W
Mike Butia (236), 2-4, 2B, RBI
Nathan Panther (237), 1-4, HR (7), RBI
Josh Tomlin (1.50), 6IP, 3H, 1R, 3W, 2K
- 1st Kinston Start
- Sally League All-Star (5-0, 2.51, 43IP, 36H, 5W, 45K, .228 BAA)

LAKE COUNTY - Lost 9-6 at Delmarva
Jason Denham (287), 1-5
Alex Castillo (221), 3-3, 2B-2, 2 RBI, W
Joanniel Montero (4.38), 4.1IP, 5H, 4R, 3W, 2K

Posted on 6/06/2007

June 05, 2007

CIR 6.5.07 - Resting for KC

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CLEVELAND (34-21, 1st) - Off Day
Tuesday - CC Sabathia (8-1, 3.78) v Jorge De La Rosa (4-5, 4.97)
Wednesday - Paul Byrd (6-1, 3.57) v Brian Bannister (1-3, 3.89)
Thursday - Fausto Carmona (6-1, 3.29) v Odalis Perez (3-5, 5.74)

BUFFALO (31-23, 1st) - Won 9-3 v Toledo
Ben Francisco (346), 1-4, HR (6), RBI, W
Luis Rivas (305), 4-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI
- Ben and Luis went back-to-back in 1st
- 305/380/484/864
Shin Soo Choo (271), 1-3, RBI
Joe Inglett (282), 2-3, RBI, W
- Playing CF
Andy Marte (237), 2-3, HR (4), 2 RBI, W
- Also went deep in the first
Hector Luna (250), 1-4, RBI
Brad Snyder (271), 1-4
Jason Stanford (3.39), 3IP, 3H, 2R, 0W, 3K, HR
Jake Dittler (3-0, 6.14), 5IP, 3H, 1R, 2W, 7K
- Encouraging
Buzzie Buzachero (2.37), 1IP, 1H, 1K

AKRON (32-23) - Off Day

KINSTON (34-21, 1st) - Won 9-8 at Wilmington
Jose Constanza (254), 1-5
CDLC (294), 1-5
Michael Aubrey (349), 3-4, 2B, W
Max Ramirez (302), 1-5
Stephen Head (230), 1-4, RBI, W
John Drennen (242), 1-5, 2B
Jared Goedert (188), 2-3, 2 RBI, W
Nathan Panther (232), 1-3, HR (6), 2 RBI, W
Josh Rodriguez (236), 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, W
Sung Tseng (3.90), 5IP, 7H, 6R, 1W, 7K, HR

LAKE COUNTY (27-29, 4th) - Lost 4-0 at Delmarva
- Team had 8 walks and 4 hits and no runs
Jason Denham (289), 1-5
Matt Whitney (303), 0-5, 4K
Carlos Rivero (270), 1-3, 2B, W
Cirillo Cumberbatch (425), 1-2, 2W
Hector Rondon (4-2, 4.23), 4Ip, 7H, 4R, 3ER, 2W, 5K, HR

Posted on 6/05/2007

June 04, 2007

CIR 6.4 - Quick Hits

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CLEVELAND (34-21, 1st, 2.5 GA) - Lost 9-2 v Detroit
Grady Sizemore (276), 0-3, W
Franklin Gutierrez (200), 1-1
- 1st hit since call-up
Jhonny Peralta (302), 1-5, 2B
Travis Hafner (272), 0-3, W
Victor Martinez (316), 2-4, 2 RBI, HR (12)
- 316/379/556
- 50 RBI (3rd in AL), On Pace for 147 RBI
Trot Nixon (270), 1-3, W
David Dellucci (241), 1-3
Josh Barfield (236), 1-4
Jeremy Sowers (1-6, 6.65), 4IP, 7H, 5R, 1W, 0K, HR
- Season: 58.1IP, 72H, 18W, 14K
- 5 of last 6 starts, 4 or more ER
- 4 of last 6 starts, more ER than IP
Tom Mastny (5.01), 1IP, 2H, 2R, 2W, 2K
- Rough weekend: 1.1IP, 6R
Fernando Cabrera (5.40), 2IP, 0H, 1W, 1K
- The bright spot!
Joe Borowski (7.29), 1IP, 4H, 2R
- Saving the good stuff for next save situation

BUFFALO (30-23, 1st, 1.5 GA)
Ben Francisco (DNP)
- Day-to-day after sliding into catcher on Saturday
Luis Rivas (0-3), HBP
- keeps streak alive, 20 games in a row reaching base
Joe Inglett (270), 1-3, 3B, W
Shin Soo Choo (269), 1-4
Hector Luna (250), 1-4, 2B
Ryan Mulhern (302), 1-4, 2B
Brad Snyder (272), 1-3, HR (6), 2 RBI
- 272/373/471/844
- 48K in 136 ABs
Andy Marte (214), 0-4, E (3)
Jeff Harris (2-4, 6.02), 7.2IP, 3H, 3R, 1W, 7K

AKRON(32-23, 1st, 2.5 GA) - Won 4-1 at Trenton
Argenis Reyes (269), 1-5
Asdrubal Cabrera (307), 1-3, RBI, 2W, SB (16)
Jordan Brown (306), 0-4, W
JVE (336), 1-4
- 336/413/582/995, 11 2B, 5 3B, 4 HR
Shaun Larkin (375), 3-4, 2B, RBI
Trevor Crowe (193), 0-1
- Removed in 4th, crashed into fence trying to make a catch
- Last 10G: 9-33 (273), 6 SB
Ryan Goleski (256), 2-3, HR (2), 2 RBI
Joe Ness (3-0, 5.27), 6IP, 2H, 0R, 1W, 4K
Jim Warden (0.00), 1IP, 0H, 0R
- Down from Buffalo: 1-1, 7.33, 16G, 23.1IP, 38H, .369 BAA

KINSTON (33-21, 1st, 1.5 GA) - Mother Nature 1, Kinston 0

LAKE COUNTY (27-28, 4th, 11.5GB) - Won 3-1 at Lakewood
Adam Davis (243), 3-4, 2B
Matt Whitney (311), 1-4, HR (12), RBI
- 311/368/563/931
- Top 5 in 2B (16), HR (12), RBI (46)
Ramon Pena (283), 4-4, RBI
Nick Weglarz (243), 1-2, RBI, W
Jennmar Gomez (5-5, 5.46), 7IP, 5H, 0R, 0W, 4K
- Last two outings: 13IP, 8H, 0R, 2W, 7K

Posted on 6/04/2007

June 03, 2007

CIR 6.3 - Belated Quick Hits

(posted on 6.4.07)

CLEVELAND - Lost 9-5 v Detroit
Grady Sizemore (280), 4-5, RBI, HR (10)
Casey Blake (281), 3-4, 2 RBI, HR (8)
Travis Hafner (277), 2-4, RBI, W
Victor Martinez (311), 2-5
Jhonny Peralta (304), 2-4, W
David Dellucci (239), 0-2, RBI
Ryan Garko (340), 0-3, W
Cliff Lee (2-3, 6.35), 4.1IP, 8H, 5R, 3W, 4K, HR
Rafael Perez (0.00), 2.2IP, 4H, 3UER, 2K

BUFFALO - Won 3-2 v Toledo
Ben Francisco (348), 1-4
Joe Inglett (268), 1-4
Luis Rivas (297), 3-4, RBI, SB-2
Jason Cooper (254), 1-4, HR (1), 2 RBI
Andy Marte (231), 0-3, W
Aaron Laffey (1-3, 6.35), 6IP, 6H, 1UER, 0W, 7K
- 93 pitches / 63 strikes
- 9 groundouts, 1 flyout, 7 punchouts is one short
- Last 2G - 14IP, 12H, 2R, 1W, 10K
Matt Miller (4.50), 1IP, 1H, 1K
- Last 7G - 6IP, 3H, 0R, 3W, 10K

AKRON - Won 5-1 at Trenton
Asdrubal Cabrera (307), 1-5, SB (15)
Jordan Brown (312), 2-4, W
Brian Barton (302), 3-4, 2R, HBP, SB (9)
JVE (338), 2-4, 2B, 3B, RBI, HBP, SB (4)
Ryan Goleski (243), 0-2, RBI, W
Trevor Crowe (194), 2-3, RBI, W, SB-2 (11)
Wyatt Toregas (238), 0-2, 2W
Chuck Lofgren (5-4, 4.03), 5IP, 6H, 1R, 3W, 6K
- Season: 65K, 60.1IP
Jim Warden (0.00), 1IP, 0H, 1K
- Akron 2007 debut
Jensen Lewis (1.91), 2IP, 0H, 0R, 1W, 3K
- 21 consecutive scoreless innings
- Season: 33IP, 24H, 11W, 43K
Alan Horne (Trenton) (5-3, 2.67), 5IP, 5H, 4R, 3W, 2K
- Indians First Round Pick 2001 (HS RHP) (DNS - Ole Miss)

KINSTON - Won 9-3 at Potomac
Jose Constanza (256), 1-5
CDLC (297), 1-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Stephen Head (229), 0-5, 3K
Michael Aubrey (308), 1-4, W
Chris Gimenez (261), 1-3, HR (12), RBI, 2W
- 261/383/582/965
John Drennen (243), 1-4, 2B, RBI, 3K
Jared Goedert (077), 1-2, 2W
- 1st Kinston knock
Jerad Head (269), 2-4, HR (2), 5 RBI
Kevin Dixon (2-3, 3.73), 6.2IP, 4H, 1R, 1W, 2K
- 12 ground, 6 fly, 2 punch
- Last outing: 12/6/0
- Season: 60.1IP, 62H, 18W, 27K

LAKE COUNTY - Lost 5-2 at Lakewood
Jason Denham (302), 1-4, SB
Matt Whitney (312), 1-4, RBI
Matt McBride (287), 1-4, 2B (16)
Ramon Pena (267), 2-4, 2B
Nick Weglarz (240), 0-1, 3W
- 243 BA / 383 OBP
Steven Wright (4.14), 5IP, 3H, 2R, 1ER, 0W, 5K
- Last 5G - 2.16 ERA, 31K, 25IP

Posted on 6/03/2007

June 02, 2007

CIR 6.2.07 - The Magic is Back!

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It's official. The Magic is back at Jacobs Field. Rallying twice from four-run deficits, a five-run rally in the bottom of the 9th against Tigers closer Todd Jones (who might not be available the next two games after throwing 47 pitches, how bad did Jim Leyland want this game?), sends the euphoric crowd home with a 12-11 victory, the fifth straight against the Tigers this season, and extending the Tribe's lead in the Central to 4-1/2 games. Incredible. I cannot even imagine the craziness that will be the Gateway area tonight. LeBron and the Cavs one game from The Finals and the Tribe looking to keep rolling against the Tigers. C-Town, rise up!

CLEVELAND (34-19, 1st, 4.5 GA) - Won 12-11 v Detroit
- 4 in bottom of 6th to tie 5-5
- 2 in bottom of 8th to trial 9-7
- 5 in bottom of 9th to win 12-11
Grady Sizemore, (267), 0-5
Casey Blake (272), 1-5
Travis Hafner (272), 0-3, 2 RBI
Victor Martinez (309), 2-5, 4 RBI, HR-2 (11)
Jhonny Peralta (300), 3-5, 2 RBI, 2B-2, HR (11)
Ryan Garko (346), 3-5
Jason Michaels (287), 2-2, 2 RBI, W, HR (3)
Trot Nixon (276), 1-2, RBI, W
Josh Barfield (241), 3-5, RBI
David Dellucci (243), 1-2, RBI
Franklin Gutierrez (125), 0-3
Fausto Carmona (3.29), 6IP, 10H, 5R, 0W, 5K, HR
- 91 pitches, 60 strikes, 12 groundouts
Tom Mastny (4.43), .1IP, 3H, 4R, 2W
- Oof!
Fernando Cabrera (5.91), 1.2IP, 1H, 2R, 3W, 5K
- Better, but not there yet

BUFFALO (29-22, 1st, 1.5 GA) - Lost 15-3 at Toledo
Ben Francisco (350), 2-4
- 14 game hitting streak
Luis Rivas (287), 1-3, W, SB
Shin Soo Choo (270), 1-3, W
- Stayin' Hot
Andy Marte (245), 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Jake Westbrook (0-1, 27.00), 1.1IP, 7H, 5R, 4ER, 1W, 2K
- 47 pitches, 28 strikes
Matt Miller (5.00), .2IP, 1W, 1K
Jason Stanford (3.26), 2IP, 8H, 3R, 0W, 2K
- 8 Hits in 2 Innings?
Juan Lara (5.11), 3IP, 0H, 0R, 1K
- Unhittable on a hittable night
Edward Mujica (5.17), 1IP, 5H, 5R, 1 HR

AKRON (30-23, 1st, 2.5 GA) - Lost 8-7 at Trenton
Argenis Reyes (278), 3-5, 2B
Asdrubal Cabrera (310), 9-3, 2R, RBI, W, SB
Jordan Brown (309), 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, W
Ryan Goleski (246), 0-2, 3W
JVE (333), 3-4, HR (4), 4 RBI
Wyatt Toregas (242), 1-4, 2B
Shawn Nottingham (5-3, 3.58), 2.2IP, 8H, 7R, 1W, 3K, HR
Jeff Stevens (0.00), 3IP, 2H, 0R, 3K

KINSTON (32-21, 1st, 0.5 GA) - Won 9-1 at Potomac
Jose Constanza (258), 1-5, 2B
CDLC (300), 0-4, RBI, W
Michael Aubrey (314), 1-3, W
- 314/400/657/1.057
Max Ramirez (305), 2-4, RBI, W
- 305/427/506/934, 34W, 35K
Chris Gimenez (26), 1-2, 3W
Mike Butia (206), 2-4, HR (3), 4 RBI, W
Josh Rodriguez (231), 2-5, HR (6), RBI
- Last 10: .407 (11-for-27), 3 HR, 12 RBI, 6W
- 18 XBH - 8 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR
Randy Edell (5-2, 3.73), 5.1IP, 9H, 1R, 0W, 4K

LAKE COUNTY (26-27, 4th, 11.5 GB) - Won 8-0 at Lakewood
Matt Whitney (313), 2-4
Matt McBride (288), 1-4 RBI
Ramon Pena (262), 1-5
Carlos Rivero (280), 2-4, 3R, HR (4), 2 RBI, W
- 280/325/402/727
- 7 game hitting streak
Nick Weglarz (242), 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, W
Cirillo Cumberbatch (421), 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI
- 421/489/658/1.147
- Hit in 10 of 11 games played
Carlton Smith (3-3, 5.78), 6IP, 3H, 0R, 2W, 0K)
- 14 groundouts, 4 flyouts, 0 strikeouts
Paolo Espino (4.68), 2IP, 0H, 5K
- 44 K, 9W, 32.2 IP

Posted on 6/02/2007

May 31, 2007

CIR 5.31 - Better Late than Never

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CLEVELAND (32-19, 1st) - Won 8-4 at Boston
Grady Sizemore (269), 2-5, 2 RBI, W, 2B, HR (9), SB (17)
Casey Blake (270), 1-4, RBI, W
Travis Hafner (276), 3-5, 2-2B, 2 RBI
Ryan Garko (333), 2-4, 2B
Trot Nixon (272), 1-5, 2B
Jhonny Peralta (283), 1-5
David Dellucci (259), 2-5, RBI, 2B
Josh Barfield (237), 2-5, RBI, SB (6)
Kelly Shoppach (373), 4-5, HR (2), RBI
- 373/448/588, 19 Hits, 7 Xtra Bases
Paul Byrd (6-1, 3.57), 6IP, 9H, 2R, 1ER, 0W, 1K
- 3 walks in 58 innings, last win on April 26 v Texas
Aaron Fultz (1.88), .1IP, 0H, 0W
- Great pitches v Papi

BUFFALO (29-20, 1st) - Won 11-6 at Indianapolis
Franklin Gutierrez (341), 2-5, 2B, W
- 341/384/428/872
- 7 game hit streak, 11-for-32
Luis Rivas (286), 3-5, 2B, HR (6), RBI
Shin Soo Choo (261), 3-5, 2 RBI, SB (3)
- 261/341/353/694
- 6 game hit streak, 13-for-28
Ben Francisco (349), 1-4, RBI
- 12 game hit streak (420)
Andy Marte (238), 2-5, 2B, HR (3), 4 RBI
Joe Inglett (270), 1-4, RBI, W
- First game since May 18
Ryan Mulhern (315), 1-4, W
Jason Cooper (267), 2-5, 2B-2
Buzzie Buchacero (2.58), 4IP, 2H, 0R, 0W, 2K
- Spot Start for Rafael Perez
- Last 5G - 10.2IP, 4H, 0R, 1W, 6K

AKRON - Lost 6-3 at Altoona
Argenis Reyes (275), 2-4
Ryan Goleski (254), 1-4
JVE (319), 1-4, HR (3), 2 RBI
Trevor Crowe (194), 1-4
Wyatt Toregas (242), 1-3
Reid Santos (2-1, 1.84), 4.2IP, 5H, 3R, 2ER, 1W, 3K
Nick Pesco (5.40), 3.1IP, 2H, 3R, 2ER, 6W, 1K
- Six walks!

KINSTON - Won 10-8 v Wilmington
Jose Constanza (267), 1-5, SB
CDLC (298), 1-4, W
Stephen Head (241), 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Michael Aubrey (333), 2-3, RBI
Jared Goedert (000), 0-4
John Drennen (249), 2-4, 2B
Chris Gimenez (256), 3R, 2B, W
Josh Rodriguez (224), 1-2, HR (5), 6 RBI
- Grand Slam and two sac flys
- Last 10: .385 (10-26), 2 HR, 9 RBI
Frank Herrmann (2.97), 5IP, 8H, 6R, 4ER, 1W, 2K

LAKE COUNTY - Won 7-2 at Hagerstown
Jason Denham (307), 3-5, RBI
Adam Davis (244), 1-5, SB
Matt Whitney (309), 2-4, 2B, HR (11), 4 RBI
Ramon Pena (264), 1-3, W
Carlos Rivero (276), 1-4
David Uribes (200), 3-4, SB
Cirillo Cumberbatch (400), 2-4, 2B, HR (1), 2 RBI
Randy Tomlin (5-0, 2.52), 6IP, 6H, 1R, 1W, 4K

Posted on 5/31/2007

May 30, 2007

CIR 5.30 - Beantown Blues

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CLEVELAND (31-19, 1st) - Lost 4-2 at Boston
Grady Sizemore (266), 0-4, 3K
Jhonny Peralta (290), 2-3, W
- hitting second
Travis Hafner (260), 1-3, RBI, W, 3B
Victor Martinez (308), 0-4, RBI
Casey Blake (271), 1-1
- Pinch-Hitter
- AL Player of Week (.348, 4 HR, 3 2B, 9 RBI, 6 W)
Jeremy Sowers (1-5, 6.29)
Fernando Cabrera (5.49), .1 IP, 0H, 3W, 1K
- Entered 2 outs, man on second
- Walked Jason Varitek on four pitches
- Walked Wily Mo Pena on five pitches (loaded bases)
- Visit to the mound
- Walked Dustin Pedroia on 3-2 count (run scored)
- Struck out Julio Lugo looking
- 22 pitches, 7 strikes
Rafael Perez (0.00), 2IP, 1H, 3K
- 32 pitches, 22 strikes

BUFFALO (28-20, 1st) Lost 10-3 at Indianapolis
Franklin Gutierrez (336), 1-4, SB (7)
- 6 game hit streak (9-for-28)
Luis Rivas (276), 0-3, W
- Reached base in 16 straight
Ben Francisco (352), 3-4, 2B (14), HR (4), 3 RBI
- 11 game hit streak (20-for-56, 5 2B)
Hector Luna (252), 1-4
Brad Snyder (282), 0-3, W
Andy Marte (216), 0-4
Jeff Harris (2-3, 6.42), 5IP, 7H, 6R, 2W, 2K

AKRON (30-20, 1st) - Won 6-4 at Altoona
Argenis Reyes (270), 3-5, 3B, 2 RBI
Brandon Pinckney (274), 2-4, 3B, RBI, W
Jordan Brown (306), 1-4, W
Brian Barton (287), 1-4, RBI, W
Trevor Crowe (192), 2-3, 3R, 2B, SB (7)
Wyatt Toregas (239), 3-3, 2B-2, W
Joe Ness (6.14), 4IP, 6H, 4R, 3W, 2K
Jeffrey Stevens (0.00), 2IP, 2H, 1W, 1K
- Akron debut
Jensen Lewis (2.03), 1IP, 0H, 0W, 2K
- 19 straight scoreless innings

KINSTON (29-21, T-1st) - Lost 4-1 v Wilmington
Jose Constanza (262), 1-3, W
CDLC (299), 2-4
Jared Goedert (000), 0-4, K
- Kinston debut
Sung Tseng (0-5, 3.27), 6IP, 6H, 3R, 2W, 5K

LAKE COUNTY (24-27, 4th) - Won 8-4 at Hagerstown
Jason Denham (296), 0-3, RBI, W
Adam Davis (245), 3-4, RBI, W, SB-4 (6)
- Four Steals!
Matt Whitney (305), 1-4, W
Matt McBride (296), 1-4, HR (3), 3 RBI, W
Ramon Pena (263), 2-3, 3B, 2 RBI
Carlos Rivero (276), 1-4, 2B, RBI
Nick Weglarz (240), 1-4, 2B
Hector Rondon (4.03), 5IP, 2H, 0R, 0W, 4K
Austin Creps (5.06), 1.2IP, 5H, 4R, 3ER, 1W, 1K

Posted on 5/30/2007

May 29, 2007

CIR 5.29 - Pre-Draft Signings

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As the June 7 draft nears, the Indians have now made four pre-draft signings...

RHP Travis Turek is a draft-and-follow (DFE) signee after being selected in the 48th round out of Santa Barbara College last year. Previously selected by the Tribe also in 2005 as a high schooler out of Westlake (CA) HS in 2005, Turek pitched this past spring for Los Angeles Pierce College, for whom I can find no stats on the web, which is pretty amazing these days.

Another DFE signing on the dotted line is last years 36th round pick, left-hander Ryan Miller, out of Blinn College in Texas. Miller, who had a commitment to Arkansas, was 9-0 with a 2.05 ERA in 15 starts this year and njcaa.org lists him as working 85.1 innings with 60 hits and 45 walks allowed with 105 punchouts, although those numbers may be incomplete. A quick profile from his signing with the Razorbacks notes that Miller throws in the low 90s with a power slider. With only one selection in the first three rounds, are the Indians funneling some of that money to DFEs from last year to bolster this draft class?

Also agreeing to terms with the Indians were two fifth-year senior undrafted free agents. Osiel Flores was inked out of the University of Texas-Pan America where the right-handed hitting backstop belted a school record 19 doubles this year while hitting 320/401/422. He also threw out 15 of 52 on the bases. Flores will report to the Haven for extended spring training and then likely move onto the Valley in June. Outfielder Justin Jenkins is arguably the best hitter in University of West Virginia history, holding eight school records (total bases, multi-hit games, career hits, 38-game hitting streak). The right-handed hitting, first-team All-Big East selection raked at a 372/438/651 clip this season with 21 doubles, 11 homeruns, and 48 RBI for the Mountaineers. Jenkins switched to the outfield this spring on the advice of scouts who felt that he did not project as a third basemen at the next level. He'll also report to the Haven until beginning his pro career in the Valley come the start of NY-Penn League play.

Posted on 5/29/2007

May 28, 2007

CIR 5.29 - Rally Falls Short in Beantown

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CLEVELAND (31-18, 1st) - Lost 5-3 at Boston
- 2nd and 3rd, no outs in the 9th
- Barfield homer attempt in 9th saved by Monster
- Casey ruled out on strikes (umps say he swung) on HBP in 9th
Grady Sizemore (271), 0-3, W
Casey Blake (267), 1-4, 2B, W
Travis Hafner (259), 0-5, 4K, 6 LOB
Victor Martinez (315), 2-4, RBI
Trot Nixon (283), 1-3, RBI
Jhonny Peralta (283), 1-4, 2B
David Dellucci (238), 1-3, RBI
Ryan Garko (333), 1-4
Josh Barfield (237), 2-4, 2B, RBI
Cliff Lee (5.86), 5IP, 6H, 3R, 2W, 4K

BUFFALO (28-19, 1st) - Lost 2-1 at Indianapolis
Franklin Gutierrez (339), 1-4
Luis Rivas (281), 2-4
Shin Soo Choo (246), 2-4, RBI
- 246/331/342/673
- 5 straight multiple hit games
Ben Francisco (342), 1-4
Ryan Mulhern (325), 0-2, 2W
Aaron Laffey (0-3, 8.64), 8IP, 6H, 2R, 1W, 3K
- 95 pitches, 11/10 G/F
- Last outing: 2.2IP, 12H, 10R, 3W, 0K

AKRON (29-20, 1st) - Lost 5-4 v Erie
Shaun Larkin (600), 2-4, HR (1), 3 RBI
- Welcome Back!
Brian Barton (283), 2-4, 2B
JVE (322), 1-4, 2B, RBI
Trevor Crowe (184), 1-3, W
- Starting to warm up
Chuck Lofgren (4-4, 4.23), 5IP, 8H, 5R, 1W, 8K
Mariano Gomez (3.91), 3IP, 0H, 0W, 4K
- Perfect
Jensen Lewis (2.10), 1IP, 1H, 0R
- 30IP, 24H, 10W, 38K, 2.10, .222 BAA, .192 v RH
- Last 10 games: 18IP, 0R, 25K, 3W

KINSTON (29-20, 1st) - Lost 6-5 v Wilmington
Jose Constanza (261), 2-4, 2 RBI, W, SB (11)
CDLC (293), 1-3, 2W
Max Ramirez (301), 2-5, HR (7), 2 RBI
- 301/421/503/925, 8 2B, 7 HR. 31 W, 35 K
John Drennen (247), 1-4
Chris Gimenez (258), 1-4, HR (11), RBI
- Gone deep in back-to-back games
Josh Rodriguez (225), 1-3, W
Kevin Dixon (4.02), 6IP, 8H, 5R, 2W, 0K
- 12 groundouts, 6 flyouts, 0 strikeouts

LAKE COUNTY (23-27) - Won 2-0 v Hagerstown
Matt Whitney (306), 1-5, RBI
Matt McBride (297), 1-4, 2B
Ramon Pena (256), 1-3, 2B, W
Carlos Rivero (277), 2-4, 2B
Nick Weglarz (240), 3-4, HR (8), RBI
Jeanmar Gomez (4-5, 6.24), 6IP, 3H, 0R, 2W, 3K
- 3rd scoreless outing
- 18 years old, Venezuelan, 6'3", 168, RHP

Posted on 5/28/2007

CIR 5.28 - SWEEP IN MOTOWN!

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CLEVELAND (31-17, 1st, 2.5GA) - Won 5-3 at Detroit
Grady Sizemore (276), 1-4
Casey Blake (267), 1-3, RBI, W, HR (7)
Travis Hafner (267), 1-3, W
Victor Martinez (311), 0-3, RBI
Jhonny Peralta (284), 1-4
Ryan Garko (336), 1-2, 2W, 3 RBI, HR (7)
- 3-run blast in 1st
- May: 390/433/659, 5 HR, 15 RBI
- Hit in 14 of 15, hit in last 5
Trot Nixon (281), 1-4, 2B
Fausto Carmona (6-1, 2.59), 7IP, 9H, 3R, 2W, 3K
- 12 groundball outs, 70/24 G/F in May
Joe Borowski (6.75 ERA, Sv 17), 1IP, 0H, 0W
- 5 scoreless innings since Oakland

BUFFALO (28-18, 1st, 3.0 GA) - Won 9-2 at Louisville
Franklin Gutierrez (342), 2-6
Luis Rivas (276), 3-5, RBI, W
Shin Soo Choo (236), 2-6, 3B, 2 RBI
- 4 straight multiple hit games (8-for-19, .421)
Ben Francisco (344), 2-6, 2B
Ryan Mulhern (321), 3-5, 2B
Brad Snyder (297), 3-4, HR-2 (5), 3 RBI, W
- 297/399/500/899
- 3 homers in last 4 games w/6 RBI
Jason Stanford (4-1, 2.91), 8IP, 4H, 2R, 1ER, 3W, 4K
- escaped bases loaded situation in 1st
- retired 14 of 15 at one point
- Last 3 GS: 1.57 ERA (4ER in 23IP)

AKRON (29-19, 1st, 3.5 GA) - Won 5-3 v Erie
Argenis Reyes (266), 1-4, W, SB-2 (15)
Jordan Brown (314), 2-4, 2B, W, SB (9)
Ryan Goleski (268), 2-4, RBI
Shaun Larkin (1.000), 1-1, 3W
- Aeros debut
Trevor Crowe (182), 2-4, 2B-2, 2 RBI
Shawn Nottingham (5-2, 2.65), 7IP, 5H, 3R, 6W, 0K
- 6 walks, 0 strikeouts?

(laptop batteries recharged)

KINSTON (29-19, 1st, 2.5 GA) - Won 7-2 v Winston-Salem
Chris Gimenez (258), 1-2, HR (10), RBI, 2W
Stephen Head (249), 1-4, SB (2)
Max Ramirez (297), 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, SB (1)
John Drennen (247), 1-4, RBI
Mike Butia (203), 1-4, HR (2), 3 RBI
Josh Rodriguez (223), 0-1, 3W, SB (9)
Ryan Edell (4-2, 3.97), 6IP, 7H, 2R, 0W, 2K

LAKE COUNTY (22-27, 5th, 11 GB) - Lost 3-1 at Lakewood
Jason Denham (303), 0-3, W
Jared Goedert (364), 1-4
Matt Whitney (309), 1-4
Ramon Pena (254), 1-4
Carlos Rivero (272), 1-4, 2B
Nick Weglarz (228), 1-4
Cirillo Cumberbatch (429), 1-3, 2B, RBI
Steven Wright (3-5, 4.40), 5IP, 2H, 1R, 1W, 4K
- Last 4G - 20IP, 10H, 5W, 5R, 26K

Posted on 5/28/2007

May 27, 2007

CIR 5.27 - Dellucci KO's Tigers

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CLEVELAND (30-17, 1st) - Won 6-3 at Detroit
Grady Sizemore (276), 1-2, 2W, 3B
Casey Blake (266), 1-5, 2B, RBI
Travis Hafner (265), W, RBI
Victor Martinez (316), 1-4, HR (8), W, 2 RBI
Jhonny Peralta (285), 2-4, W
Jason Michaels (281), 0-0, W
- Needed Miguel Dilone slide on caught stealing in 8th
David Dellucci (236), 2-4, 3B, HR (2), W, 2 RBI
Rayn Garko (333), 1-4, 2B
Josh Barfield (235), 1-4
CC Sabathia (7-1, 3.54), 7IP, 6H, 3R, 1W, 6K
Joe Borowski (7.11, Sv16), 1IP, 2H, 1K
- Made it interesting, 2nd and 3rd, 2 outs

BUFFALO (27-18, 1st) - Won 9-4 at Louisville
Franklin Gutierrez (342), 2-5, HR (4), 3 RBI, W, SB
- 342/387/505/891
- Threw out runner at third
Shin Soo Choo (231), 2-4, 2B, 3B, RBI, W
- Last 2 games: 6-for-13 (461), 2W
Ben Francisco (344), 2-4
- 344/408/483/892
Keith Ginter (248), 2-3, HR (8), 2 RBI, W
Ryan Mulhern (32), 2-4, 2B, RBI, W
- 320/373/582/955, 14 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR
- 2nd in IL in SLG, 3rd in OPS, top ten in TB
Jason Cooper (26), 0-3, 2W, SB
Sean Smith (5-1, 2.38), 6IP, 8H, 4R, 4W, 2K)
- All previous starts two runs or less allowed
Matt Miller (5.87), 1IP, 1W, 2K
- Last 4 outings, 3.2IP, 1H, 0R, 2W, 6K
Edward Mujica (2.63), 1IP, 1K
- First outing since demotion

AKRON (28-19, 1st) - Won 3-1 v Erie
Jordan Brown (310), 1-4
Brian Barton (288), 3-3, 2B, W
- 288/391/468/859
Ryan Goleski (261), 1-2, W
JVE (324), 1-2, 3B, 2W
Trevor Crowe (174), 1-4, 2 RBI
Scott Lewis (3.64), 3.2IP, 5H, 1R, 5W, 3K
Reid Santos (2-0, 1.46), 4.1IP, 1H, 0R, 1W, 4K
- 24.2IP, 14H, 4ER, 6W, 19K, .149 BAA, 0.811 WHIP

KINSTON (28-19, 1st) - Lost 2-1 v Winston-Salem
Michael Aubrey (292), 1-4
Stephen Head (249), 1-3
Josh Rodriguez (224), 0-2, W
David Huff (2.10), 6.2IP, 5H, 1R, 1W, 7K, 1HR
- 55.2IP, 51H, 11W, 43K, .244 BAA, .225 vRH, .355 vLH
- All 10 starts, two runs or less allowed

LAKE COUNTY (22-26, 4th) - Lost 9-6 at Lakewood
- 6 Errors, Adam Davis-2(9), Nick Weglarz(6), Jared Goedert(10), Matt Whitney(9), Carlos Rivero(14)
Jason Denham (310), 1-3, 2W
Jared Goedert (366), 3-5, 4 RBI
- 366/480/727/1.207
- Last 3 games: 8-for-14 (.571), 11 RBI
Matt McBride (299), 1-4, 2B
Carlos Rivero (272), 2-4, RBI
Cirillo Cumberbatch (423), 2-4
- Hit in all seven games played (11-for-26, .423)
Carlton Smith (2-3, 6.42), 5IP, 8H, 6R, 1W, 3K

Posted on 5/27/2007

May 26, 2007

CIR 5.26 - Back in First!

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The Indians moved back into first with a 7-4 victory in Detoit. Great matchup, CC Sabathia v Justin Verlander, today on Fox. Jared Geodert paces the minors with 16 homers and 47 RBI.

CLEVELAND (29-17, 1st) - Won 7-4 at Detroit
Grady Sizemore (274), 2-5, RBI, SB (16)
Casey Blake (268), 1-2, RBI, 3W, HR (6)
Travis Hafner (270), 1-5, RBI, 3B
Victor Martinez (318), 1-5, HR (7), RBI
Jhonny Peralta (280), 2-4, RBI
Jason Michaels (281), 1-5
- Catch of the year - took 3-run homer from Craig Monroe
- Over the fence grab - huge momentum change
Josh Barfield (234), 1-3, 2 RBI, W, HR (2)
- Last homer on April 14
- Mike Hegan - worst.homerun.call.ever
Kelly Shoppach (326), 2-3, W
- liking his role as Paul Byrd's personal catcher
Andy Marte (180), 1-4
- Looked overmatched
Paul Byrd (5-1, 3.81), 6.1IP, 4H, 4R, 0W, 4K, HR
- 3 walks in 52 innings
Rafael Betancourt (1.83), 1.2IP, 1H, 0W, 1K
Joe Borowski (7.50, Sv15), 1IP, 1H, 1K

BUFFALO (26-18, 1st) - Lost 10-1 at Louisville
Franklin Gutierrez (34), 1-4
Ben Francisco (340), 1-4, 2B
Ryan Mulhern (315), 1-3, 2B, RBI
Brad Snyder (281), 1-4
Rafael Perez (3-3, 3.66), 4.1IP, 7H, 4R, 1W, 2K
- Last 6 starts, more hits allowed than innings pitched

AKRON (27-19, 1st) - Lost 5-1 v Erie
Asdrubal Cabrera (318), 1-5, SB (13)
Jordan Brown (311), 3-4
Brian Barton (275), 1-4
JVE (321), 1-2
Ryan Goleski (258), 1-2, 2W
Trevor Crowe (173), SB (6)
- 8 GIDPs, leads team
JD Martin (4.25), 2.2IP, 2H, 0R, 3W, 3K
-Left with right elbow strain
Nick Pesco (5.40), 3.1IP, 5H, 2W, 1W, 3K

KINSTON (28-18, 1st) - Lost 2-1 v Winston-Salem G1
CDLC (299), 1-2
Nathan Panther (257), 1-2, HR (3), RBI
Josh Rodriguez (212), 1-2
Frank Herrmann (3-1, 2.56), 7IP, 5H, 2W, 1W, 5K, 1HR
- Four walks allowed in 52 innings

KINSTON (28-18, 1st) - Won 5-2 v Winston-Salem G2
CDLC (306), 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI
Stephen Head (247), 1-3
John Drennen (251), 2-2, SB (2)
Josh Rodriguez (227), 3-3, RBI, SB (8)
Dan Cevette (3.97), 4IP, 3H, 2R, 1W, 7K, 2HR
Erik Stiller (0.00), 2IP, 2H, 0R
- Season Debut

LAKE COUNTY (22-25, 4th) - Won 12-9 at Lakewood
Jason Denham (310), 2-5, 2B, RBI, W
Adam Davis (246), 3-6, 2B, 2 RBI
- 6-for-11 last two games
Jared Goedert (359), 3-4, 2B, HR (16), 6 RBI
- 359/477/731/1.208
- 16 homers and 47 RBI lead minors
Matt Whitney (318), 1-3, RBI, 2W
Matt McBride (300), 1-2, RBI, 2W
Carlos Rivero (267), 1-5
Nick Weglarz (233), 2-4, HR (7), 2 RBI, W
Cirrilo Cumberbatch (409), 1-4
Randy Tomlin (4-0, 2.68), 5Ip, 8H, 3R, 0W, 1K

Posted on 5/26/2007

May 25, 2007

CIR 5.25 Quick Hits

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CLEVELAND (28-17, 2nd) - Won 10-3 at Kansas City
Grady Sizemore (270), 0-2, RBI, 2W, HBP
Casey Blake (265), 2-5, 3 RBI, 2B, 3B
Travis Hafner (273), 0-3, 2W
- .443 OBP 5th in AL
Victor Martinez (322), 2-5, RBI
Jhonny Peralta (274), 1-3, 2B, W
Ryan Garko (336), 3-5, 2B, 2 RBI
- May: 395/427/632/1.059 with 10 multiple-hit games
- .336 BA 5th in AL
Jason Michaels (286), 2-4, 3 RBI, HR (2), W
- 1st homer since April 5 in Chicago
Josh Barfield (232), 1-3, 2B, 2W
Jeremy Sowers (1-4, 6.29), 7IP, 6H, 1R, 1W, 1K
- 1st quality start since April 28 v Baltimore
- Next start in Fenway
Aaron Fultz (1.98), 0IP, 1W
- 8 pitches, 2 walks v KC
- Eric Wedge not a happy skipper
Mike Koplove (3.00), 1.1IP, 0H, 0W

BUFFALO (26-17, 1st) - Lost 5-4 at Louisville
- Adam Miller scratched from start
Franklin Gutierrez (343), 2-5
- Start of new hitting streak
Luis Rivas (268), 1-5, HR (5), 2 RBI
Shin Soo Choo (220), 2-4, W
Ben Francisco (343), 1-5, 2B, RBI
Brad Snyder (282), 1-3, W
Matt Miller (6.75), 1IP, 1H, 1K
Buzzie Buzachero (3.46), 1.2IP, 3K

AKRON (27-18, 1st) - Won 7-6 v Altoona (10 Inn)
Asdrubal Cabrera (322), 1-4, W
Jordan Brown (300), 1-5, W
Brian Barton (275), 1-4, HR (5), RBI, W
Ryan Goleski (255), 2-5, RBI
- Gamewinner in 10th
JVE (324), 3-4, 2B
Trevor Crowe (177), 2-5 RBI
Pat Osborn (231), 2-3, 2B, 4 RBI
Joe Ness (5.79), 5Ip, 5H, 1R, 2W, 6K
- Last two starts: 10IP, 8H, 1R, 9K

KINSTON (27-17, 1st) - Lost 2-1 v Winston-Salem (G1)
CDLC (304), 1-4
Stephen Head (256), 1-2, 2W
John Drennen (238), 2-4 RBI
Josh Rodriguez (200), 1-3
Sung Tseng (0-4, 3.12), 6IP, 3H, 1R, 2W, 7K, 2WP, HBP
- Season: 49IP, 43H, 16W, 39K

KINSTON (27-17, 1st) - Won 8-2 v Winston-Salem (G2)
Stephen Head (256), 1-4
Chris Gimenez (268), 1-3, 2B, RBI, W
John Drennen (247), 2-2, 2B, RBI, W
Nathan Panther (232), 1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, W
Josh Rodriguez (209), 2-3, HR (4), 2 RBI
- 7 game hitting streak (6-for-27)
James Deters (2.13), 5Ip, 5H, 1R, 1W, 4K

LAKE COUNTY (21-25, 4th) - Won 4-0 at Delmarva
- Top 4 (8-for-18), Bottom 5 (0-for-16, 5W)
Jason Denham (306), 2-4, W, SB
Adam Davis (235), 3-5
- 6 game hitting streak (9-for-24)
Jared Goedert (349), 2-5, RBI
Cirillo Cumberbatch (444), 1-4, 2 RBI
Nick Weglarz (226), 0-1, 3W
Hector Rondon (4.47), 5IP, 4H, 0R, 0W, 4K
Scott Sumner (0.00), 2IP, 2H, 1W
- Season Debut

Posted on 5/25/2007

May 24, 2007

CIR 5.24 Quick Hits

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CLEVELAND - Lost 11-7 at Kansas City
Grady Sizemore (273), 1-4, HR (8), RBI, W
Casey Blake (261), 2-5, 2B, HR (5), RBI
Travis Hafner (272), 1-5, HR (9), 2 RBI
Victor Martinez (319), 1-4, 2B, W
Trot Nixon (271), 2-4, W
Jhonny Peralta (273), 1-4, RBI, 2B
Ryan Garko (325), 2-3, 2B, W
Josh Barfield (230), 1-5, 2B, RBI
Cliff Lee (2-1, 5.93), 4.1IP, 10H, 8R, 1W, 3K, 3HR
- Chewed out by Eric Wedge postgame
- Blew 3-0 lead in the first
- Botched run-down play, went to 3rd, should've been DP
- Failed to cover 1st play on grounder
- Rough night in KC
Mike Koplove (5.40), 1.2IP, 2H, 1R, 2K
- Tribe debut
Fernando Cabrera (5.59), 2IP, 2H, 2R, 1W, 1K, 1HR
- May: 7.1IP, 14H, 10ER, 8W, 8K, 5HR, 12.27 ERA

BUFFALO (26-16, 1st) - Off

AKRON (25-18, 1st) - Won 6-2 v Altoona
Asdrubal Cabrera (324), 1-3, RBI, SB (12)
Jordan Brown (303), 1-3, W
JVE (307), 1-2, 2W
Ryan Goleski (242), 2-4, 3B, 2 RBI
Trevor Crowe (170), 0-2, W, RBI
Chuck Lofgren (4-3, 3.75), 6IP, 7H, 2R, 1W, 5K
- Last Outing: 3.2IP, 11H, 6R

KINSTON (26-16, 1st) - Lost 5-4 at Salem
Jose Constanza (254), 1-4, W, SB
CDLC (306), 2-5
- 5 multi-hit games in last 7
Michael Aubrey (429), 1-4, 2B, W
Chris Gimenez (269), 2-5
Josh Rodriguez (197), 1-4
Kevin Dixon (3.59), 6IP, 7H, 2R, 0W, 2K
Jeff Stevens (3-1, 2.48), 2.1IP, 2H, 3R
- Loaded bases in 9th
Mike Roehl (3.72), 0IP, 1H
- Gave up double to end game

LAKE COUNTY (20-25, 5th) - Lost 8-4 at Delmarva
Ramon Pena (273), 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Jared Goedert (347), 1-3, W
Carlos Rivero (276), 2-3, RBI, W
- Two throwing errors (11 on season)
Cirillo Cumberbatch (500), 3-4, 2B

Posted on 5/24/2007

May 23, 2007

CIR 5.23 Quick Hits

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Not a good day for the organization. 1-4 overall with Akron the lone bright spot. Ugly game for the Tribe. Gutierrez hit streak snapped. Bisons almost rally from 8-down. Asdrubal Cabrera continues to impress. Michael Aubrey goes deep again. Steven Wright fans 10 of 12.

CLEVELAND (27-16, 1st) - Lost 4-3 in Kansas City
Grady Sizemore (274), 1-4
Jason Michaels (275), 1-5, 2B, RBI
David Dellucci (228), PH, 0-1,
- 2 LOB, 4-31 (.129) with RISP
Travis Hafner (281), 1-3, W
Victor Martinez (321), 1-4, HR (6), 2 RBI
- 321/400/507/907, 8 2B, 6 HR, 34 RBI
Ryan Garko (317), 1-4, 3K
Trot Nixon (285), 1-4, 2B
Josh Barfield (228), 1-4
Andy Marte (1-2 (195),
- lifted for PH in 7th
Fausto Carmona (2.77), 6IP, 9H, 3R, 1W, 0K, 4GIDP
- 70 Pitches, 19 inning scoreless streak snapped
Aaron Fultz (1.98), 0IP, 1W,
- Bases Loaded, 4 Pitches, Oof!

BUFFALO (26-16, 1st) Lost 10-9 v Indianapolis
Franklin Gutierrez (340), 0-5, RBI, 19 game hit streak snapped
Shin Soo Choo (208), 2-5, RBI
Ben Francisco (348), 3-4, W
- 348/417/486/903, 10 2B, 3HR, 10 SB, 16W, 21 K
Hector Luna (274), 2-5, W
Ryan Mulhern (324), 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Brad Snyder (280), 3-3, HR (3), 3 RBI, W
Aaron Laffey (0-2, 14.54), 2.2IP, 12H, 10R, 3W, 0K
- 9 run third inning, no inherited runners scored
Jim Warden (7.20), 2.1 IP, 5K

AKRON (26-18, 1st) - Won 5-4 v Altoona
Asdrubal Cabrera (324), 3-4, 2B-2, HR (6), 5 RBI
- 324/409/537/946, 9 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 11 SB, 20 W, 17 K
- Career high 5 RBI, 1st grand slam
Brian Barton (284), 1-4, 3B
Trevor Crowe (172), 0-2, 2W
Shawn Nottingham (4-2, 2.49), 7IP, 6H, 1R, 1W, 6K
- Last 4 GS: 26IP, 20H, 5R, 9W, 17K, 1.73 ERA

KINSTON (26-15, 1st) - Lost 12-6 at Salem
CDLC (301), 3-5, RBI
Josh Rodriguez (191), 1-5
Michael Aubrey (500), 3-5, 2B, HR (2), 3 RBI
Max Ramirez (307), 2-5
Stephen Head (242), 1-4, 2B
Chris Gimenez (262), 1-4
Ryan Edell (3-2, 4.12), 3IP, 5H, 5R, 2W, 3K

LAKE COUNTY (20-24, 4th) - Lost 2-1 at Delmarva
Jason Denham (312), 2-4
Matt Whitney (328), 2-4, HR (10), RBI
Matt McBride (306), 3-4, 2B
Jared Goedert (347), 0-4, E (9), played 2B
Steven Wright (3-4, 4.72), 4IP, 2H, 2R, 2W, 10K
- 50K in 40IP this year
Paulo Espino (4.33), 3IP, 0H, 0W, 2K
- 32K in 27IP this year

Posted on 5/23/2007

May 22, 2007

CIR UPDATE: Hot Sheet

IL Pitcher of the Week Sean Smith checks in at number twelve on Baseball America's Prospect Hot Sheet. Former Indian Eider Torres gets some love after hitting .462 last week for triple-A Norfolk (Baltimore).

Posted on 5/22/2007

CIR 5.22 Quick Hits

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4-1 on the night. Michael Aubrey debuts in Kinston. Gutierrez walks off in Buffalo. Aeros run wild on the bases.

CLEVELAND (27-15, 1st) - Won 5-2 v Seattle (Opening Day III)
Grady Sizemore (274), 1-3, 2B, RBI
Casey Blake (256), 1-3, HR (4), W
Travis Hafner (280), 1-4
Victor Martinez (324), 1-4, RBI
Trot Nixon (286), 2-4
Jhonny Peralta (281), 2-4
Josh Barfield (228), 1-3, 2-run 2B in 7th
CC Sabathia (3.51), 5IP, 8H, 1R, 1W, 4K, 92 pitches
Roberto Hernandez (4.76), 0IP, 2H, 1R, 1W, loaded bases in 9th
Joe Borowski (7.84), 1IP, SV (14), entered B/L, 0 outs, 1 run (SF)

BUFFALO (26-15, 1st) - Won 4-2 v Indianapolis
Franklin Gutierrez (359/404/522/926), 2-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, W
- Walkoff Homer, 19 game hitting streak
Luis Rivas (271), 0-1, 3W, 7W in 3 games, 9-12 OBP last 3G
Ben Francisco (336), 2-4, SB (10)
Hector Luna (269), 1-4
Ryan Mulhern (321), 1-3, W
Yamil Haad (750), 3-4, 2B, season debut
Jason Stanford (3.20), 7IP, 4H, 1R, 2W, 5K

AKRON (24-18, T-1st) - Won 8-4 v Altoona
Argenis Reyes (282), 3-5, 2B, SB-2 (13)
Asdrubal Cabrera (311), 1-3, W, SB-2 (11)
Jordan Brown (311), 0-2, RBI, 2W
Brian Barton (285), 2-3
JVE (316), 3-4, 3B, 2 RBI
Ryan Goleski (244), 0-2, 3 RBI (SF-2, F/C)
Trevor Crowe (174), 0-3, W, CS (5)
Scott Lewis (1-2, 3.76), 5IP, 7H, 4R, 2W, 7K

KINSTON (26-14, 1st) - Won 15-4 at Salem
CDLC (286), 2-4, 2 RBI, 2W
Nathan Panther (209), 2-6
Michael Aubrey (400), 2-5, 2B, HR (1), RBI, W
Max Ramirez (303), 1-4, RBI, W
Stephen Head (248), 2-4, 2B, HR (7), 3 RBI, 2W
- 5 game H/S (8-23), Last 10: .359 (14-39, 7W, 1K)
Wes Hodges (278), 2-4, RBI, W
John Drennen (244), 1-4, HR (6), 4 RBI, W
Josh Rodriguez (196), 1-4, 3B, W
David Huff (4-2, 2.20), 5IP, 7H, 2R, 1W, 5K
- All 9 starts, 2 earned runs or less allowed

LAKE COUNTY (20-23, 4th) - Lost 3-2 at Delmarva
Jason Denham (306), 1-4, RBI, W
Alex Castillo (231), 1-4, HR (1), RBI
Ramon Pena (276), 1-4
Nick Weglarz (238), 1-4, 2B
Carlos Rivero (273), 1-4, E (11)
Joanniel Montero (0.00), 5IP, 3H, 0R, 1W, 3K
- Season debut (20 yrs old, 6'5", 191, RHP)

Posted on 5/22/2007

May 21, 2007

CIR 5.21

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Over the past several years, we've heard Mark Shapiro (and other GMs) talk about the 40-game mark as the first evaluation point of the season. Following is a look at the Tribe offense a quarter of the way into the season.

GRADY SIZEMORE
One of the top five position players in the AL (273/394/447/841). Leads the circuit in stolen bases with 15 and is in the top five in runs and walks. Even when slumping in the plate, helps the club in so many ways. Ill-advised steal attempt yesterday is a mere peccadillo.

CASEY BLAKE
Filled in admirably for Andy Marte at third base after not having played the postion regularly since 2004 (six games in 2005). Still strikes out a lot (36, tied for team lead) but his versatility is a plus. Homers are down (3) but he does have 12 two-baggers.

JOSH BARFIELD
Hitting .297 in May after a .162 April. Needs to become more selective at the plate with only 5 walks in 142 ABs (30 in 539 last year). That's the next step in his development (or stagnation) and his eventual movement into the number two spot in the batting order (or permanent bottom of the order fixture).

JHONNY PERALTA
Rebound. Leads the Indians in HRs (10), Total Bases (76), and RBI (31). Still on pace to strike out 130 times but has improved walk rate (70-75 pace). Defense is also improved from last year although perception of the glove can be influenced by production at the dish.

TRAVIS HAFNER
$60 million, 4 year extension this winter? Sounds about right.

VICTOR MARTINEZ
Stud.

RYAN GARKO
After a slow April, Garko has a 1.086 OPS in May with four longballs. Improved defense has freed Casey Blake to play third. Continued development and settling in as long-term first basemen at club friendly prices will provide the Indians additional payroll flexibility over next 3-4 years. Like Peralta, when you have a 900+ OPS, the defense becomes increasingly bearable.

TROT NIXON
Ability to play every day has also freed Casey Blake to play third. Not hitting for much power (8 XBs) but has a .366 OBP.

JASON MICHAELS
The lefty-masher of the Michaels-Dellucci platoon is actually hitting better against righties (282/300/462/762) than lefties (263/310/316/626) in roughly the same amount of at-bats. Scary four-year trend in walk rate and OBP...

2004 - 42W, 299 AB, .364 (Phil)
2005 - 44W, 299 AB, .399 (Phil)
2006 - 43W, 494 AB, .326 (Cle)
2007 - 4W, 305 AB, .305 (Cle)

DAVID DELLUCCI
Michaels partner is struggling in his return to the American League, hitting 250/680 v righties. Wants to play against lefties, but is hitting just .167 in 18 ABs. .894 and .904 OPS the past two seasons against righties suggests better things are to come. If not, two more years at $4 mil per?

KELLY SHOPPACH
Likely won't continue to hit .300 but doing everything you want your backup catcher to do.

ANDY MARTE
Back in the bigs and will slowly be worked back into the lineup, likely against left-handers only at first. For now, we'll chalk up his early season struggles to a slow start and a little bit of gripping. That benefit of doubt will not last long, however. In the short-term, Marte needs to start producing at a minimum replacement level. Long-term, however, one needs only to look at Brandon Phillips to realize that development can sometimes take longer than planned. The question for the Indians is how long can they maintain a sub .600 OPS at the hot corner while battling the Tigers for division supremacy.

MIKE ROUSE
Happy to be in the big leagues. Happier still to be playing for a contender.

SHIN SOO CHOO
Struggling in Buffalo after demotion from Cleveland. Depth outfielder who remains in the mix for the '08 outfield as well as potential deals come the trade deadline.

FRANKLIN GUTIERREZ
Depth outfielder with upside in Buffalo. Won't supplant Grady in center and likely not enough power for the corners. Currently riding 18-game hitting streak in triple-A. Should be attractive come July on the trade market.

BEN FRANCISCO
Continues to impress in Buffalo. I would be very surprised if one of Francisco, Choo, or Gutierrez is not moved in July.

Next Report: The Pitching Staff

Posted on 5/21/2007

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