Disappointment Saturday

It's one thing to lose in a blowout the day after serving up a blowout. It's a whole other ball of wax when you lose a game after leading for most of the game. And super hella disappointing when the game is given up by one of the team's best personalities and an up-to-then rock-solid setup guy.

But, that how baseball go.

Scott Kazmir was the starter for the Tribe and I don't think he looked that bad. Not as bad as Tom Hamilton would make him out to be! True, he only went 5 innings but he struck out 6 and only gave up 2 earned runs. What else do you want? It took him 107 pitches to get through those 5 innings but that's a function of the other team too.

Bryan Shaw came in for an inning and it's hard to say if he was on it or not. His ERA was 1.54 when he came in. He gave up a single, and then a guy reached on a throwing error. Then he intentionally walked Elsbury, which I'm sure was a good move but that put a guy on third with no outs. Gomes, J, put up a pop fly that allowed a run to score. That was the end of it, though, so that's good. But it was a bad day for relievers to be giving up runs.

Then it was Joe Smith, who continues to be your daddy. He struck out two, and while he did walk one, he was the only of our pitchers today who didn't give up a hit. Go Joe!

Then comes Vinnie. Vinnie didn't do too well. He did not well at all. Let's not talk about it.

None of our pitchers gave up a homer!

Of course, neither did any of the Red Sox pitchers. But we did eke out 3 doubles and Asdrubal had a red-letter day!

Stubbs was at leadoff today and it seems to have stunned him, as he went 0 for 3. But I did note something interesting when he was at bat - Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus were talking about how the other players give Stubbs some hassle about what a stud he is. Apparently he's got quite a body. I mention this because I actually noticed it on Friday night when I saw the game on TV, but I wasn't sure if it was just me or a real "thing." Apparently it is! Hard to tell if a guy is ripped under those polyester jerseys but with Stubbs you can just tell. Anyway they were also talking about how fast he is compared with Bourn, which I pointed out Friday too. They were imagining a foot race between the two. Apparently Stubbs would win.

Aviles was at 2nd today, giving Kipnis the day off. He went 1 for 5 and came in to score a run. Did you know he's got the fewest strikeouts per at-bats as anyone on the team? (with a significant number of at-bats) He strikes out once every 9.66 at-bats, with Brantley next at 1 in every 7.35 and Gomes 1 in every 5. Everyone else is between 3 and 4. Pretty nice, Aviles!

OMG ASDRUBAL!!! Hot hot hot this series! He went 3 for 5 today with a double, an RBI and a run scored - and 2 stolen bases! He would have had 2 runs scored but the muddy field caught him out at the plate (albeit on a close play!) This gives him a 5-game hitting streak with 9 hits over those games. And he leads the team in doubles!

Swisher is back for more good stuff after paternity leave. He went 2 for 4 also with a double, an RBI and a run scored. It's a good day when you can nearly match Asdrubal! If he's going to be turning a corner now that he's a dad - I'll take it!

Reynolds and Santana both got singles today. Santana still is getting on base like a boss (Like a boss!) but it hasn't been incredibly spectacular. Reynolds, however, has a 4-game hitting streak and is still back on track for not being disappointing, so that's cool!

Speaking of not being disappointing (ever), Cousin Michael is still blowin' em away. He went 2 for 4 today with a double. That gives him a 4-game hitting streak with 8 hits over those games, 13 hits over his last 7 games. I love it!

Michael Bourn was benched today for a day off. He pinch-hit for Raburn in the 9th and got a single, but that was the end of our hits.

Seems like the Tribe was still being their same old plucky selves, it's just their pluck wasn't enough today. Maybe it was the rain, maybe the pitching, maybe lack of time off, whatever. I'm pretty hopeful yet for Sunday's game and absolutely hopeful about the rest of the season.

I'm even hopeful about Vinnie, who is saying out loud that he's only throwing 87 MPH. Good that he admits it, so now let's address it. Get it done now before it's too late!

Tomorrow is our last game of the year against Boston. It's at 1:35, Corey Kluber versus LHP 5.61. Really great chance we'll blow 'em out tomorrow. I can feel it!

See you there!

Radio Chatter:
"It's so cold here that the fans who showed up are buying bowls of chowder and putting their hands in them."
"Is that why you wouldn't shake that fan's hand earlier?"
"It was a bit slippery."
- Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus

"This will sound a bit goofy but he is quite a specimen ."
- Tom Hamilton on Drew Stubbs

"It was like they traded away the Anti-Christ."
- Tom Hamilton on the parting of Josh Beckett

"Boy he's a good hitter. I would pay just to watch Dustin Pedroia play baseball."
- Tom Hamilton