Ubaldo had a really good game. For all intents and purposes a quality start, and nearly a complete game. He went 7 1/3 innings and only gave up 2 runs until he gave up 1 in the 8th then left a guy on that his reliever got home. Absolutely fantastic for Ubaldo, though, and that is 3 games in a row where our starters went 6 innings. He only struck out 3 but he also only walked one and didn't hit anyone! He gave up a homer but it was to Cabrera (geez) and was pretty perfect between that and letting it go in the 8th.
So Cody Allen started the year not giving up any runs until his 14th inning/13th appearance when he gave up 2. Then none, then 2, then he was back to giving up none again. Until today, when he was really put on the spot in the 8th. Acta grabbed him by the balls and said "Have fun!" and left him out there to face Cabrera with a guy on third. He did ok against Cabrera, which means he didn't give up a homer. Unfortunately he gave up the sac fly. Then he met Prince Fielder who hit him out of the park. Then two singles and Peralta with a 2-run double. Five runs later it was over and the game was super out of reach for the Tribe, who had one more turn to bat.
What does this show us about Cody Allen? I have no friggin clue! He's human, there's that. He's not a closer? He's no good in super high pressure situations? He can't keep a lit on heavy hitters?
I do want to see him next year, though. I predict a decent end to his season to match the beginning of it. Hopefully he's going to spend all of his off day studying his tape and getting some fixes in place so this doesn't happen again. Good call on Manny for keeping him out there, though. Tom Hamilton is right - we've got nothing to lose now, let's throw guys out there and see what happens!
Today's game really was about the pitching, on both sides, as Doug Fister continues to have our number. Only 4 hits and 2 walks and that was it. The game was over in just under 2.5 hours - there were a lot of 1-2-3 innings for both side.
Kipnis was awesome again tonight going 2 for 4 and scoring the lone run! He's got a 5-game hitting streak and 8 hits in those games! That means he's gotten a hit in every game in September - remember, he hit .180 in August. Rock!
Choo had a rough go of it tonight going 0 for 4, even though he's batting .500 against Fister over the past 5 years. Asdrubal didn't fare much better tonight, going 0 for 3 with a walk and leaving 2 on base. He doesn't have a good history versus Fister, though. In fact, no one but Choo does. Choo broke his little 6-game hitting streak tonight.
Santana is as hot as Kipnis, also with a 5-game hitting streak for the month of September and also with 8 hits in that time, including 1 tonight!
Brantley is also "hot" in September with a hit in each of the 4 games he's appeared in. Tonight he got the team's only RBI, because he rocks. :)
The kids from Columbus rounded out the order tonight - including Cord Phelps! Did you know he appeared in 35 games last year? Yeah, me neither. He was doing pretty well in CBus with a .276 average, but he was shut down tonight. So were LaPorta, Carrera and Donald. Bringing in Hannahan and Kotchman to show them what's what didn't get any what done.
Special props to Jason Donald, the greasemonkey, for this spectacular play at third, diving into the stands and making the out. Oh yeah and leaping into the air to make this catch. Way to go, kid! If only he could bat a little bit better, I'd be much less worried about the eventual loss of Hannahan.
So we didn't sweep the Tigers but we did give 'em a run for their money. We did test out a lot of young guys against two good teams, too. So I think it's been a good 6 games.
Tomorrow is a day off and then it's on to Minnesota to face the Twins and hopefully HOPEFULLY push them further away from us into the basement. It's pretty critical and I think we're in a good spot to do it.
Have a nice day off tomorrow and I'll see you at 8:10 Thursday for the return of the return of Jeanmar versus RHP (6.11). A guy with no wins. We've GOT this!!!
See you there!
No Radio Chatter today. I had so many chores to do, dang. I STILL have to take a shower and finish my laundry yet!
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