Oh, THIS Again...

Both of the Indians' wins this year so far have come in the 9th inning. Are we going to do this again?! I guess I kind of like it, if it's going to be "our thing." It shows that the team has a lot of "stick-to-it-tive-ness." I also would like some early-inning blowouts but it's early yet. And I'll always take any kind of win.

Oh man, long day of baseball, right? Except for a half hour gym break I've been baseballin' for 11 hours now. I've been trying to listen to more sports talk radio and since there was the double header today, they were actually talking baseball today instead of Browns.

All that baseball and it kind of sucks that today's first game was such a dud. I can handle a loss but such a booooring loss after a boooooring win on Monday? And it broke our 11-game regular-season winning streak (started in 2013).

The best thing about the first game was that Kipnis had relaxed and instead of 3 strikeouts he got 2 hits and NO strikeouts! Atta boy!

Aviles was in there for the first (and second) game, and he got a double alongside Kipnis. In the two games they had Asdrubal, Aviles and Kipnis rotating around DH and the middle infield and I really like that that's an option. No need to wear out either guy but then no need to bench them, since right now we don't have a DH. Giambi better watch out if the three guys keep hitting - this might be a permanent thing!

Game 1 also featured an extremely competent play by Santana at third - and also our first review! The MLB is happy with their decision to do reviews - I can tell because they added a little "Review" graphic to their video highlights. The call stood, by the way. The Santana-to-Gomes putout stood. But everyone was like "OMG THAT TOOK FOREVER!" and it kind of did. There was a review in the second game too (srsly?) and it took just a moment and that got a golf clap from Tom Hamilton, who waits for no man.

Nothing much else happened in that game other than Kluber and Pestano both being awful, and I don't want to talk about it. Being that this is The Positive Tribe and not Comprehensive Indians News, I don't have to!

The pitching was way better in game 2 but the offense was still plagued by LOB. Left. On. Base. Everyone was left on base! Same problems haunting us.

Starting with the pitching...Zach McAllister was our man for the night game and he wasn't very sharp. He only made it through four innings and gave up 3 runs. He did strike out four so that's a thing.

The arm of the night was Mark Rzepczynski (heretofore known as "Zep") who threw a long 2 1/3 innings and gave up nothing but a walk. Very nice piece of long relief! They had brought CC Lee all the way from Columbus as our 26th man ... I guess assuming the starters wouldn't last long? But I suppose they didn't assume the middle relievers would go so long!

After Zep were Shaw, Allen and Axford. No runs were given up aside from an un-earned run during Shaw's turn. Allen ended up with the W so he's actually got two Ws and Axford got the S and he's got 2 of those! Axford shortened his stint today after Monday's 28-pitch close. Today he managed it in just 12.

Let me tell you about Nyjer Morgan. Reading about his past, I think there are a lot of things to say about Nyjer Morgan. However, it seems that Tom Hamilton does not want to talk about any of those things - so for the last 3 games we've not heard much about Nyjer Morgan other than he was a young hockey star from California. That is odd because he is from California, and he's black, and it turns out he is a good baseball player. Well, he is a paid baseball player - all he's done so far is walk and get a sac fly for us. I wonder how long Hamilton will stick with this story?

Ryan Raburn - now THERE'S a baseball player! In true Goon Squad style he came in in the 6th to replace the un-productive Morgan, led off the 9th with a single and game in to score the tying run! As expected!

Kipnis was the DH for this game, and even though he didn't get a hit he was there being Kipnis, making stuff happen. In the 7th he walked and stole a base, and came around to score the tying run. In the 9th he got on via a force out, stole second to eliminate the double play, then came around to score the go-ahead run. All of this without a hit!

Santana was in a groove this evening. Either he was fueled by his nifty 3rd base work in the early game or he was happy to be back behind the plate. Whatever the case, he went 2 for 3 with 2 walks and a run. When Santana hits, the Tribe wins!

Michael Brantley (.364) didn't get a hit until the 9th, and he actually left 4 men on base. HOWEVER, being that he's Michael Brantley of COURSE he ended up getting a hit! And to the A's dismay, he was the man at the plate in the 9th with the bases loaded, only one out and the Tribe down a run. Statistics show that Michael Brantley was going to get a hit and statistics were on the money. Cousin Michael got his hit and the tying run and the go-ahead run and a little more of my devotion!

After leading off the first game, Asdrubal was down in the 7-hole for the night game. He was actually reliable today, and I don't mean reliably striking out when the game was on the line. He got hit by a pitch and intentionally walked so he was totally IN it, man. He got a hit, too, and came around to score.

David Murphy, who I totally still know nothing about, got his second hit in two games which was an RBI single for an insurance run in the 9th. Let's find a picture of David Murphy, so we can become better acquainted.

Hmm...I still don't feel like I know you. But now I know you played for the Rangers.

Here's a guy we all know - Mike Aviles! Raburn's fellow Goon Squad guy was doing second base this game, and he did all the goons proud! 'Cuz he is the first Indian to get a homer today, in that big cavernous Oakland Coliseum. Neat! He also stole a base, and he also was in the middle of two defensive double plays. You gotta love that guy!

The Chiz Kid, Lonnie Chisenhall, made his debut at third today while Santana was catching (boy, is this team stacked right for double headers or what?) He went 1 for 2 and then was pulled for Elliot Johnson because I don't know why.  Johnson didn't do anything but strike out.

So that was that. The box scores said it was 6:35 worth of baseball, with dinner inbetween. Tom Hamilton wants you to know that a long plane ride from Oakland to Cleveland is WAY better when you're 2-1 and not 1-2. He repeated it three times.

Tomorrow is going to suck because one, I have lost several hours of sleep this week and two - no baseball! That's two days of no baseball after waiting so long for baseball then having some baseball and...grr. But Friday is going to be AWESOME!!! Barring the rain.

Can't wait - SEE YOU THERE!!!

Radio Chatter:
"The Bash Brothers...should have been known as the Syringe Brothers..."
- Tom Hamilton

"The video board here in Oakland, you can't see anything anyway. It's a Philco video board from 1955. They use stick figures for the players."
- Tom Hamilton

"The way Scott Kazmir looks now, this game's over."
- Tom Hamilton in the 6th

"Derek Norris, running the bases like Chuck Norris."
- Tom Hamilton apparently thinks Chuck Norris would be caught in a rundown

"Let's see...Josh Lindbloom made 14 pitches to get 4 outs, Zach McAllister made 36 pitches to get 3 outs."
- Tom Hamilton

"Boy that long plane ride would look a lot better with a split, wouldn't it?"
- Tom Hamilton

When Can We Relax?

For some reason I was very nervous for this game. Maybe really it was excitement, and watching some of my friends post online about their team's normal-time games, and then the threat of a rain delay just kept me wound up.

I was also pretty nervous to see how the team would do playing real baseball in a real situation that counted. Not like they weren't playing real games all summer. But it's always curious to see how they will do coming back to play 9.

I had a premonition that it'd be a pitcher's duel. It kind of looked like we'd easily roll over this Sonny kid and get a bunch of runs on the A's as Masterson struck them out. But that didn't happen!

The 24-year-old Oakland pitcher Sonny Gray turned out to be pretty good. Even though we got 5 hits off him and plenty of RISP, nobody crossed the plate and he ended up striking out 7 over just 6 innings - more than Masterson!

Masterson did his thing, though, and while he didn't strike out double digits he did get 4 over his 7 innings. And he did pitch 7 scoreless innings, which was rad. He kept his speed pretty consistent the whole time too, not losing any velocity even though it was his first time out and it was cold.

Mark Rzepczynski threw one out of relief, then Cody Allen came in for the rest of the 8th. He almost totally blew it but was saved by a ball that got caught by the wall instead of catching air. Tense!

Our new closer is John Axford, who is a Canadian citizen. So is his wife. But not his kids. Huh! I guess that explains why Rush's "Working Man" made it so high in fan voting for his entrance music. He's got all of Canada in his pocket.

Anyway, I guess his "thing" is that he throws a ton of pitches for a closer. While our previous closer would get an inning closed out in 11 pitches, Axford took 26 pitches to strike out 2, walk 2 and get a fly out. Being so aware of how easily a save can be blown, I don't know how much of this drawn-out closing I can take this year. I guess I'm going to have to get used to it!

Man, talk about being wound up, though - Jason Kipnis! Poor fella went 1 for 5 with 3 strikeouts! You know it's because he wants it too bad. That's what it is, man. He wants it too bad.

Kipnis was third, and ahead of him was Nyjer Morgan (the fill-in until Bourn is back) and Nick Swisher.

Morgan got on via the walk as the first play of the new season. He didn't steal, even though I was told he would. He didn't get any hits but in the 9th he connected for a big fly with the bases loaded to score the first run of the game.

Swisher followed Morgan with a walk in the first, and also followed him with an RBI in the 9th. Good.

After Kipnis is Santana, who didn't get the big hit for the guy we've kept around to get the big hits. In fact he didn't get any hits. But he did get a walk, as Santana is wont to do, so at least he still does that. Getting on base...

Michael Brantley remains to be the amazingest. He's still hitting .500 (that's what he hit this spring) and his 2 hits were doubles. Don't you just want to shout it from the rooftops?! MICHAEL BRANTLEY IS COMING FOR YOU, TED WILLIAMS! Ok maybe not Ted Williams, maybe just the number 300. This is the year.

Hey, Ryan Raburn! Tonight's DH. He did strike out twice but so did a lot of other Indians. He went 1 for 4.

Asdrubal was bumped down to 7th. Ouch? But no batting order is set in stone. Besides, Yan Gomes is 9th so your worth as a man clearly isn't designated by your spot in the order! He did end up going 1 for 3 with a walk and a hit and a run scored. Oh man I just had an awful thought of how he'll get fewer at-bats down at the bottom and fewer chances to lower his average. Oh no oh no...have I turned on Asdrubal?? I think maybe he needs to work a little to get in to my best graces this year. He's got my good graces, of course.

David Murphy. Still not buying what he's selling but perhaps he will Raburn his way into our hearts. Tonight he went 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Gomes himself went 1 for 3 with 2 strikeouts. Hmm. Well, we can't all be Yan Gomes all the time! (??)

I'm just happy for baseball to be back, midnight games or no. Strikeouts or no. Pitchers duels or no. Hooray for America's game! Hooray for baseball!

The Indians' first opening day shutout since 2002!

Tomorrow we face Scott Kazmir. So we should have that locked up, right? He should be scouted to the hilt. Jason Kipnis should calm down and get some hits. It'll be another late one tomorrow night - and there is more rain in the forecast - so be sure to get your nap in after work, ok?

See you there!

No Radio Chatter tonight because I was too wound up to take notes.

Returning From Kazmir

You know it is just a crummy, crummy game when there is bases loaded and Yan Gomes comes up to the plate and he strikes out swinging. Cuz if Yan Gomes can't save us, man, when who can? Who can?

Man I gotta dig deep to get my Positive socks on the right feet today...

So I guess the deal with Scott Kazmir is that he pitched fewer than 20 innings in 2011, then 60-some innings of non-MLB ball in 2013, and now at 114 MLB innings in 2013 he is "out of gas." Now, I'm just as impressed with his work this year as everyone else is but of all the people paid all the money to run this team did nobody see this coming? That one of our starters would probably be useless by August? I mean maybe they just got caught up in the excitement that was Kazmir and nobody thought he'd last past May as a starter anyway but it seems like someone dropped the ball in this situation.

Or maybe the fault lies with Ubaldo Jiminez, who was supposed to pitch more innings than he did in order to save the bullpen for Kazmir but Ubaldo suddenly has a 45-year-old arm and can't go too long anymore either.

Anyway - Scott Kazmir was impressing us just a few weeks ago with 3 quality starts in a row, totaling 21 innings and just 2 earned runs, now has given up 10 earned runs in just 8 innings over 2 games with 8 days of rest inbetween. Ugh.

 The good news is that Cody Allen is still pretty good and is hopefully going to end the season with an ERA close to 2. He came in for 1 2/3 innings and didn't give up a hit.

Next was Zep to face the lefty and took care of it. Then he came in for the 8th and let some stuff get away from him so then he went out with some baserunners on and one scored due to a damn error by Dick Swisher, and apparently Bryan Shaw was so upset by this turn of events that he gave up a hit that turned in to an un-earned run.

But whatever - the Tribe didn't make up the 2 runs to tie the A's earned run totals so we shouldn't worry too much about making up for their un-earned runs, either.

Scoring was kind of like Friday's game, with a bunch of hits but not enough runs to show for it. And more fancy/lucky plays by A's players. I checked it out and the A's fielding is right in the middle of the pack (along with the Tribe's) so I'm not sure where all this luck is coming from. Familiarity with the field, I guess.

Bourn had the day off so our man Drew Stubbs lead off, and even though he didn't get a hit and went 0 for 5, he got on base twice! First was on a fielder's choice, where he was able to steal second. Then he got on on a throwing error and ended up scoring. I totally stole this idea from Twitter, but I'm going to use it here. Feel free to steal my Stubb-as-Flash meme!

Swisher, however, is keeping it up now with a 4-game hitting streak. His was just 1 for 4 today but with only one strikeout at least.

Kipnis is rockin' a 6-game hitting streak, going 2 for 4 today with a big RBI single to give him 3 RBI over the last 2 games. Can't stop, won't stop! The Kid also got his 22nd stolen base!

Santana followed up that RBI single with a big RBI double of his own and ended up going 2 for 4 on the night. He's getting a little more reliable lately too!

You know what Ryan Raburn did today? Home run. BOOM! Two in two days! Dude's slugging percentage (.574) is 5th in the league for guys with 50+ games, behind only Crash Davis, Miggy, Ortiz and some dude on Texas with only 50 games played. So yeah, Ryan Raburn is THAT GOOD!

Wait, what? I just told you how good he was!

Speaking of good - be still my beating heart, Asdrubal Cabrera!!!! Praying to Pete that two 2-hit games in a row is not an anomaly and is Asdrubal turning the corner and playing the rest of the season strong! Now, he did strike out the other 2 times at the plate and left 2 men on base but hey, how many RBI did you get today, buddy??

Brantley had himself a sac bunt and a walk today, so no more hitting streak. But going 0 for 2 didn't do too much to hurt his climb to .300!!

Aviles was in the ol' reliable spot at 9th and did a Stubbs-ish job, getting at least a hit, thankyouverymuch.

Still with all that hitting they only managed 3 runs. What's up with that?

More west coast baseball this week, so pack a snack! It'll be the Tribe at the Angels starting Monday at 10:05. It'll be Danny Salazar versus RHP 3.49. Oh, crumbs...another guy who can't pitch too many innings. Well let's hope his 5 innings are stellar!

See you there!

Radio Chatter:
"We saw the remnants of that fire last night on the way out. I'd say it was well done."
- Jim Rosenhaus on the parking lot fire from the night before

"They are the most dedicated and enthusiastic fans in baseball. And I've got to believe that ALL of them have designated drivers..."
- Tom Hamilton on the Bleacher Creatures

"...headed over to Alcatraz, to see where some of [Jim Rosenhaus'] relatives have spent some time."
- Tom Hamilton

This Is What We Stayed Up For!

NAILED IT!

Finally, a nice game where the Tribe does some pitching and some hitting and roundly beats the opponent!

Ubaldo was the starter and while he was one out away from a quality start, he had one hell of a start which I think, in the rulebooks, is better than a quality start anyway.

He went 5 2/3 innings and only gave up one hit! No kidding! Of course, he hit a guy and walked 5 but those are minor details. In all of those 7 men on base, only one came around to score and he was the only one who even visited third base. In all of that, he got EIGHT strikeouts in just 5 2/3!

Unfortunately it took him 105 pitches to get there, and we needed 4 relievers to finish it off but if they haven't planned for this situation now by August, then they aren't paying good attention.

Rich Hill came in with men on base. Eep! But he did his job and struck out the lefty to end the 6th.

Next was Shaw who faced 4, just walking a guy. Then Joe Smith, who gave up 2 hits but kept it in check and nobody came around to score.

Did you know that Joe Smith is engaged to Allie Laforce? I'm probably the last to know. Although I barely know who she is but I've got my head out of my butt enough to know that she's a local TV news woman who went out to LA to become a national TV news woman. She also was Miss Teen USA which...why didn't I know that? You'd think she'd be a big Cleveland star. I think most 25-45 year old dudes in Cleveland know all of this. She does a radio commercial for some local car place and mentions that she is in LA. Anyway I believe she and Smith got cuddly when she was still in Cleveland and they're still together and now they're engaged. Now you know.

Matt Albers pitched a 1-2-3 9th.

The Tribe got 11 hits and 4 walks today and THIS time all those hits were translated in to runs! Pitchers park - whatever! They scored 7, and coulda scored more if Eric Sogard (SS) wouldn't have had his own 1-2-3 8th inning with his own little highlight reel.

Michael Bourn isn't having any more of this slumping nonsense, so he went 2 for 5 today with his 5th home run! He came in to score twice.

Swisher is also over the nonsense, so he went 2 for 4 with a homer, his coming in the first inning. Later on he got an RBI single with 2 out and 2 on, made it to second on the throw to the plate, then came around to score on Kipnis' subsequent single. So that's 5 hits in Swisher's last 14 at-bats. Let's hope he keeps it up...

Kipnis kept it low key today but he had a huge single in the 9th with 2 men on, and it ended up being a 2-RBI single! That's a 5-game hitting streak and 12 hits in his last 10 games for the Kid!

Michael Brantley is just, like, whatever - 2 more doubles today to go 2 for 3 with a walk. That's 6 hits in the Doctor's last 3 games, and 17 hits in the 17 days of August thus far!! Five of those hits have been doubles and that's his second 2-double game this month. Can he end the season over .300??

DID YOU NOTICE ASDRUBAL TODAY?!?! Not sure what happened but hermano had himself a GAME today at the plate! He went 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI!! Only one LOB today, man! OMG if he is awake for the rest of the season just...look the heck out, American League. Look. The heck. OUT!!

Jason Giambi did not have a nice night in Oakland at all. They were not very welcoming to him, no-siree. But he went out there and batted. And struck out twice. And left 4 guys on base. But whatever, Oakland - we got him now!

The Chiz Kid didn't have so hot of a night. Seems to be the only guy not breaking his slump now. Aviles was brought in to split the at-bats at 2 apiece and he didn't do anything either.

Stubbs, of course, was out there, doin' stuff. He went 2 for 3 and came around to score (Because he's like a bullet train!) but he did get caught stealing, which was his first CS of the year after 13 SB. He also got caught up in a double play/outfield assist situation at third but I don't think there's a column for that, so hush hush!

I sure hope that this is the Indians for the rest of the season. This is the Indians we signed up for this year, that's for sure. Lots of guys with multiple hits tonight, some extra-base hits, some homers. Why has this been so hard to come by?

Tomorrow is our chance to go 7-1 against the A's this year. That'd be cool! It's a 4:05 game so don't let it pass you by. It was supposed to be Kazmir versus Bartolo Colon but the old man has a left groin strain. Also, he is a stupid cheater who takes drugs. Anyway he's being replaced by LHP 4.39 who we should be able to crush. CRUSH!

No Radio Chatter today. Cuz I said so. See you tomorrow!

This Is What We Stayed Up For?

Taking a gamble on the title there - hoping tomorrow's can be "This Is What We Stayed Up For!" Right?

Bummer of a game tonight. Slumping lineup with tight pitching versus slumping lineup with tight pitching. In Oakland. Ugh.

Masterson was back on the Ace game today, getting all but one of the team's 27 outs. He went 7 2/3 and gave up just 2 runs on one home run. He didn't strike out as many as he has been striking out all season - just a measly 4 today. I dunno what it is about this Oakland park being a "pitcher's park" because the pitchers gave up 15 hits today. And it's got the lowest home runs in baseball, but Masterson managed to give up one.

But that was it - nearly 8 innings for Masty and just 2 runs off a first-inning homer.

The offense looked like it was going to come back but apparently this pitcher's park only allows you 2 hits in a row, no more. Everything else gets vacuumed up by anyone close to it.

The Tribe had baserunners in every inning but the 4th and the 6th. Not only did they get 8 hits but they walked NINE TIMES!

But everyone is just slumpy as heck. I don't know how else to describe it. Where you could once count on any guy to get you a 2-out RBI hit, now you can't count on anyone to not hit into a double play with bases loaded and one out.

Bourn is slumping - usually he's good for one key hit, but not right now. Asdrubal ... oh man I am so sad. Just...ugh. They moved him out of the #4 spot, down to 6th, and the guys ahead of him were doing decent so instead of being in a pressure-free spot now he is up every time there's guys in scoring position! NOOOOOO! That's 5 LOB for him tonight.

Gomes, who is not slumping whatsoever, could not get it going tonight. He went 0 for 4.

The best news of the night is...Dick Swisher who shook off the cobwebs and went 2 for 4 up in the 2-spot. He got an RBI and came in to score a run, making both of his hits productive.

Kipnis had The Patience today, going 1 for 3 with 2 walks. That's a 4-game hitting streak for him. I wonder who went on the fishing trip with Kipnis yesterday on his day off? Looking at the box score I'd say there's a high probability it was Swisher, Brantley and Stubbs (Swisher likes to socialize, Brantley's hobby is fishing and Stubbs is a country boy. I could see this happening.) They're the only guys who hit.

Well, Santana hit too but do you take him on a fishing trip with you? I say he scares the fish. Although he also went 1 for 3 with 2 walks today so he also had The Patience.

I ask you....HOW is Michael Brantley not hitting .300? Am I forgetting some sort of slump for him this year? It must be. To me it just seems like he is hitting hitting hitting all the time. Probably because compared to my dude Asdrubal, that's exactly what he's doing. Just not mathematically enough to hit 1 in every 3. But - close! He's hitting .283 and today went 2 for 4 with a walk.

But all 3 times he just stood on base waiting to be hit in, and nothing happened. Nothing.

You gotta go aaaaallll the way down to Drew Stubbs to find more hits. He went 2 for 4 with 2 big fat doubles. Neither was an RBI double, unfortunately, but he did come around to score once after a double, on a single by Swisher.

So today's situation was some guys were hitting, but not enough guys were. Once again they are hitting balls that maybe shouldn't be caught but perhaps it's true that God Hates Cleveland Sports and He is putting players where balls go. Right? That sounds right.

So, tomorrow is another late game, but an hour earlier. That means 9:05 PM. It'll be Ubaldo versus RHP 4.19. Ubaldo's ERA is .02 better. HA! So, expect results!

See you there!

Radio Chatter:
"The Oakland Coliseum has been a house of horrors for Justin Masterson."
- Tom Hamilton

"Reddick has a heck of an arm. He left a dent in the dugout wall."
- Tom Hamilton on Reddick's over-throw from the outfield

"He's a graduate of the University Of Tommy John Surgery."
- Tom Hamilton

"Boy, Justin Masterson has just been outstanding. Time for the Indians' offense to wake up."
- Tom Hamilton

Colón Blow

I totally didn't expect this today, did you? With the way they've been struggling for runs against the A's, and Colón having a good last start, I didn't expect them to win (50/50 chance), let alone score NINE runs - six of 'em off Colón!

But that's totally what happened! One thing we totally did see coming was three homers, right?

So that's uhm...I've lost count here. Winning 10 of our last 11, a 4-game sweep, 4 in a row won, and now we're up to 5-5 on day games! Sorry, no tally for Meryl Masterson - she's just the sweetie of the night game. Edit: I also just remembered - this is the 5th of 6 Cy Young Award winners we've beaten this year (R.A. Dickey, Roy Halladay, David Price, Cliff Lee, Bartolo Colón. The only one who beat us was Jake Peavey.)

How about that Scott Kazmir, huh? He's 2 and 1 now, going a full 6 innings today for a quality start and striking out TEN in the process. Wow, man - he was just merciless today, with everything in the low 90s except when he threw a changeup or slider that probably looked like it was traveling backwards at 80 MPH.

How do you feel about starting pitching now? I think it's very, very surprisingly good! I hope they are able to keep this up all season!

Matt Albers came in for the 7th and he didn't look as hot. He started off looking good, striking out the first two, walking a guy then getting a ground out. But they brought him back for the 8th and he was sort of bewildered. A walk, two singles, a run scored and then another walk before Albers was excused. Huh.

Cody Allen came in to get all 3 outs to end the 8th, two strikeouts and a ground out. Scott Barnes was given a shot to finish it out. How'd it go? It went well! Barnes got 2 outs, then a walk then finished it off himself by catching a line drive. Ballgame!

Cousin Michael is back over .300 again! Today he went 2 for 5, including a leadoff single which I think really set the tone for the game.

After Brantley was Kipnis who put his first at-bat in to outer space with a homer! Yeah Kip! He got the first 2 RBI for the team, and then came around again in the 2nd inning to hit a sac fly and get his 3rd RBI. That's 11 RBI for the kid in his last 10 games. That's exactly what we need from our #2 hitter!

Asdrubal hasn't been looking so swell at the plate again. Not sure what's up with that. Today he did get a double, though, going 1 for 3. They took him out in the later innings because we were up by so much and Aviles didn't do anything either.

Swisher, on the other hand, is having fun launching balls on this homestand! He went 1 for 3 today with a homer and that's his 3rd home run in 6 games!

Jason Giambi is having fun playing his old team. Yesterday he got the 2 hits and today he got an RBI single to score Cabrera after his double. So that's 3 hits and 3 RBI for him in just 2 games!

Mark Reynolds made sure that no one noticed Santana was out today. Dude got his league-leading 11th home run today, and it was for 2 RBI. He also came around to score earlier in the game after a leadoff double in the 2nd. I dunno what goes on in Cleveland that is making him so much better than before, but this guy is just all over the place for us. He's hungry like the wolf!

The Chiz Kid quietly got some stuff done today. He hit a towering fly out in his first time up, almost over the wall but not quite. Then his next at-bat he got a single. Later on he reached on a throwing error, because he's super fast. You forget that he's super fast!

Yan "Yanimal" Gomes of course got a hit today. He didn't throw anyone out, though. He got an RBI double to start off the scoring in that 3-run 2nd inning, then reached third on a throwing error, and came around to score on Stubbs' single that followed.

Stubbs is getting back up there, now hitting .264 after going 2 for 4 today. He seems pretty comfortable in center field, too. I bet Swisher will be happy to have Bourn back in center and Stubbs in right, though. If Swish is doing this well at bat all "tired out" from right field, though, imagine how he'll do while rested!

Bourn is supposed to be back for the upcoming Detroit series, at least on the bench. So you'll have a bench with Bourn, Aviles, Gomes and Giambi - not bad! 

I'm really excited about and impressed by the team's hitting today. It wasn't just homers (although they had that!) and it wasn't just errors. Clutch hitting and doubles, and getting on base. Any little thing we can take in to Detroit is going to help, and the momentum of a game where "Everybody Hits!" is hopefully going to take them far this weekend.

And of course, the luck of Meryl!

Is it really luck at this point?

Tomorrow night is Corey Kluber versus RHP 3.43. Surely a RHP we had no problem rolling over in 2012. I can't wait to see what this lineup does to the Motor City Kitties!

7:08 start (seriously) See you there!

Radio Chatter:
"Colon is listed at 5'11", 267 pounds. That was a couple of cheeseburgers ago."
- Tom Hamilton

"Day baseball still works."
- Tom Hamilton

"When you think sports at Duke University you probably think of Mike Krzyzewski. When you see their baseball facility...you continue to think of Mike Krzyzewski."
- Tom Hamilton says Duke has an awful baseball facility

"Here's a question - if it is Bauer starting the second game, will he have time to do his extensive warm up routine between games? It takes about 45 minutes."
"That's a good question. [...] Unless he's out on 9th street throwing down to 12th street."
- Jim Rosenhaus and Tom Hamilton

"Last year the Oakland A's were baseball's Cinderella story. [...] This year, too many bunions - the slipper doesn't fit."
- Tom Hamilton

"Everybody needs to take a chill pill and focus on the people who are here and not those who aren't coming."
- Tom Hamilton

Chris Perez Is The Mayor Of Savingsville!

Sorry for the commercialization of tonight's title, but I hear so many of those darn Progressive commercials on the radio that I decided I needed to start putting them to work for me! Now, if you've never heard the Progressive radio spots this year then you are both lucky and confused. In short, Flo sings. She sings 18 times per game and 2 or 3 more times in the postgame. This is why people still pay for cable.

Hey, another win! That's 9 of our last 10, 3 in a row and 10 night games for Meryl Masterson. Streaky streaky streaky! For some reason my first thought after this game was "Wow can we sweep a 4-game series?!" but we'll discuss that later.

Justin Masterson was together today. His end line (7IP/4H/3R/2BB/7SO) with the 3 runs sort of betrays the fact that he only had 2 baserunners, total, in all of his innings excluding the 4th. The 4th is where things went haywire and guys got hits, there was a wild pitch and Masterson even hit a guy. Oops! But it says a lot about him that he came back in and shut them down over 3 more innings. Says a lot that they'd even let him come back! So, well done, Ace!

Since Vinnie's out, we got treated to the Smith & Perez show after that. Smith gave up a lead-off single and I sort of shifted uncomfortably in my seat because Joe Smith is suddenly in the habit of giving up hits. But, never fear - he struck out the next two and got the last guy to pop out!

Chris Perez was once again the star of the show. The closer of the close game. First he struck out a guy. Then he gets a guy to ground out. I was joking with my friend that he needs to give up a hit yet, because that's how Perez do, and then I was all "NO! Not that kind of hit!" as the ball sailed up and...out? Nope! The umpire called it a double. The call went to review and it stood! IT STOOD! Even Tom Hamilton said it was wrong. The MLB didn't put it online because they probably know it was wrong. (They put it up. Oops!) The A's manager was ejected. ha-ha.

Perez wasn't done...he hit a guy (!) and then walked a guy and the bases were loaded, with the Tribe only up by one. Holy hell! The final guy hit one to the right side of the mound. Perez picked it up himself then chug-chug-chugged over to first with the ball to touch the bag, because he probably felt that after that performance he probably couldn't count on a throw making it to first. Good call!

Like a beardy gazelle!

Oh and after all that he got the save. He did actually get out of this mess on his own accord tonight, unlike last night where he needed the help of Yan. But boy - did he ever put on a show!

Michael Brantley only got 1 of the team's 4 runs, but I'll call him the player of the game. Because while everyone else was sort of stunned at the plate or not able to put enough power in it to combat the wind blowing in, Brantley managed to go 2 for 4 with an RBI and a stolen base! His RBI actually  was not on one of his hits - he got on base with an error and a run scored. With bases loaded and 1 out, he hit into what was about to be a double play but the second baseman muffed the throw to first and Brantley was safe. He also just sort of watched the first baseman scramble after the ball instead of trying to beat it over to second, which is the right move. He just made it look extra smooth.

Kipnis and Asdrubal didn't do anything today. Asdrubal was nicknamed  "Abra Cabrera" last night in @FrankHermann56's #TribeNames contest. (The winner was The Yanimal. I like!). Although I guess Asdrubal had a stunning leaping play that the MLB didn't see fit to give us video of.

Nick Swisher was back to having fun tonight! He hit a solo home run to tie the game at 3! They play the OSU Fight Song when he hits a home run, which is pretty cool. He also does the "O-H" on his way into the dugout, so be prepared if you're ever sitting behind the dugout to respond in kind!

When Carlos Santana followed up Swisher's homer with a solo, go-ahead homer of his own (Mark Reynolds was between them - not hitting a home run! Huh!), Swisher did a little dance. I can't embed the video but I can show you an approximation:


Apache Fresh Prince Mix from DJ RKade on Vimeo.

Oh yes he did!

Santana and Raburn led the 5th off with walks. Chisenhall, who was sent away to work on his hitting, was back and up next. Good things should happen! He did get a hit but it was like a little squib infield hit. But, hey - now the bases were loaded. Stubbs got on base by a fielder's choice and the bases were still loaded when Brantley induced the error and the Tribe scored two! So, however they're giving runs today, we're taking them, by golly.

Stubbs got a single, too, which is great cuz dude hasn't had a hit yet this series. And you know I expect way more from him!

So really it turns out we won this game by the skin of our teeth. Masterson DID look good but our bats were not that great. Two homers were nice but the other two runs came by chance. And the tying run didn't score in the 9th by chance. But if chance is all we've got, we'll take it!

So do you think we can sweep the 4-game series? We've got momentum, and we've got the fact that we're facing another Cy Young Award winner in our favor. However we're under .500 on day games. Kazmir was pretty great his last start - can he do it again? And will our bats wake up already?! Two home runs is not enough! (Haha look at me complaining about lack of home runs!)

Even though Meryl doesn't count for day games, she's coming along anyway. She did win a day game last week, so it doesn't hurt!

Afternoon delight cookies!

By the way, did you read the the bullpen cop, AKA the Tootsie Roll Cop (officer Jeff Stanczyk) is retiring? I don't know him from the visitor's bullpen (never really sat over there) but I've been the recipient of his candy a couple times in the bleachers! Sad to see a regular like that go. I hope he takes the time to enjoy some games out of uniform!

All right so tomorrow's game is 12:05. Don't forget! Bring your BROOMS!

Radio Chatter:
"You look at that beard and you think 'Grizzly Adams'."
- Tom Hamilton on Daric Barton

"You don't think they practiced the 70-foot single?"
- Jim Rosenhaus on Chisenhall's recent extra batting practice

"Carlos Santana, like Nick Swisher, says 'Mother Nature is not a factor tonight!'"
- Tom Hamilton on Santana's homer in the 6th

"They lead the league in beards, the Oakland A's."
- Jim Rosenhaus

"Even with a replay, Angel Hernandez got it wrong and that's really not a surprise."
- Tom Hamilton after the "double" in the 9th

Go Go Gadget Gomes!

The Tribe pulled it out today in a 1-0 game, and, I dunno, I think it was all thanks to Yan Gomes.

Not only did he call the game from behind the plate - the game in which the other team scored none - but he also is the guy who got that 1 RBI (via a very long sac fly). He's also the guy who got the second out in the 9th inning via laser throw.

Of course, you gotta give credit to starter Zach McAllister for throwing the pitches that Yan Gomes wanted. McAllister was like "I AM IN THE ROTATION, BITCH!" and threw 7 2/3 innings with no runs and only one walk. He actually only struck out 4 and gave up 5 hits but he had it all planned out right and that all was no big deal. He threw 111 pitches and almost made it through a full 8 but hey, we only had one run up on them. Good move by Francona to sit him.

Rich Hill came in to finish the 8th, then it was Pure Rage time! Firestarter! He did what he always does - one ball in play for an out, one single, one strikeout. This time he didn't get the opportunity to get the pop out because Yan Gomes just mowed down Cespedes when he tried to steal second after that single. Just...rocket ship to second, man. MLB's Web site is being weird about video, so I had to resort to trickery and stealiness in order to get the video to you. You haven't seen a good Caught Stealing all season so I think we all deserve it.

The team actually managed 5 hits today (while the A's managed 6!) even though it only resulted in one run.

Drew Stubbs was at the top, giving Brantley the night off in favor of a right-hander. Stubbs didn't do anything. Not what I expected!

Kipnis, ont he other hand, rocked this town, rocked it inside out with his 4th double, going 2 for 4 on the night!

Asdrubal didn't get anything, but Swisher went 1 for 3, which is what you expect out of Swisher. Consistency is key!

Santana didn't hit, but he got on base due to an error, then got to second due to another error, then moved to third on Aviles' hit and came home to score on Gomes' sac fly! So Santana's average is suffering a bit with a "paltry" .355 (now he's in 3rd place in the league) but his OBP is still up there at .450 (albeit second in the league).

Hey how about that Ryan Raburn?! He's so good!

He's so good that Panini's named a sandwich after him. It's called "The Big _______".

He got another hit tonight, giving him 17 in his last 10 games. His little streak is on at 3.

You heard about Aviles going 1 for 3 already, and then there was Yan Gomes with his Gomes Style!

Do you think we can sweep a 4-game series? I mean we're halfway there. We'd be winning a 3-game series already. Tomorrow is Justin Masterson -

And Meryl!

- versus RHP 3.79. Dude on the A's had a good game last time out but before that he gave up 11 runs in 11 innings. I like that! And Masterson has had 2 not-so-good starts in a row and he doesn't stay bad for long so he's gotta be McAllister-like one of these games coming up, I say.

Tomorrow's my brother's birthday, too. Let's win it for him! Or just for winning's sake, whatever.

7:05 start - see you there!

Radio Chatter:
"You know where you should be looking? Look into the dugout at Jared Parker if you want to stare at somebody."
- Tom Hamilton on Josh Donaldson being upset at being brushed off the plate

"The end result of that blast by Mark Reynolds was that today John Adams had to get an insurance policy for his drum."
- Tom Hamilton

"Aviles gave him the shimmy-shake and got around him!"
- Jim Rosenhaus on Aviles avoiding being picked off in the 5th

"We'll see if his vitamin doctor is as good this season as he was a year ago."
- Tom Hamilton on Bartolo Colon

"Somewhere in Hollywood, Brad Pitt just threw up."
- Tom Hamilton referencing Moneyball

OMG ASDRUBAL!!!

Fun times tonight! The home run was back with a vengance. Ubaldo was u-good-o. Jason Giambi did something good again. My weed trimmer started up on on pull after being dormant for 8 months. What a good night!

Of course the story of the night is Asdrubal Cabrera's two homers, to double his total at 4. Right?! I think this pretty much seals my theory that he did in fact see my sign yesterday, as well as acknowledge it. CLEARLY THIS PROVES IT'S TRUE! My brother intimates the reason must be that he benched Asdrubal from his fantasy roster tonight. That is often a harbinger of good luck...let's hope he forgets to start Masterson Wednesday!

I feel kind of guilty talking about Ubaldo when he's doing well, because I refused to say anything about him - good or bad - when he's doing bad. So let's just say I'm giving him a golf clap and I'll re-evaluate my stance in a game or two.

Nick Hagadone got to come back up because uhm...I think this time it's Vinnie going on the DL for his whacky elbow. So Nick finished up the 6th for Ubaldo with a strikeout, then came back for the 7th where he gave up a double and got the first out.

Bryan Shaw came in to finish out the inning with a strikeout and a ground out, then came back to throw the entire 8th. He wasn't too tight in the 8th but by then it was 7-2 so nobody noticed. He gave up a double then an RBI single, but that was the end of that.

Joe Smith, our new secret weapon, came in for the 9th and other than a double he was lights out. Other than a double - ha! But really, he was very Perez-like - strikeout, double, flyout, groundout, BALLGAME!

Cousin Michael was back to his old tricks, making up for not hitting yesterday by going 2 for 5 today. Starting the streak at one! Forget the streak, though - he's got 15 hits in his last 10 games.

What do you think - is Jason Kipnis back? I think he's heating the heck up! He's got 12 hits in his last 10 games, including 3 homers and 2 triples and NINE RBI!

Asdrubal went 2 for 4 today with a walk. He came around to score each time! TWO homers, man! He's got 14 hits in his last 10 games, has been on base in each of his last 14 games and is back swinging with a 3-game hitting streak. Is he loving the A's pitching? I hope so - cuz we're playing them 3 more times this week!

Wow that was a lot of exclamation marks!

Nick Swisher has not been his exciting old self since he was out for a bit with a little soreness. I mean he's still getting a little bit done - he's got 2 hits in 3 games - but he's not as reliable as he seemed earlier in the season. Cool pic, tho:

Mark Reynolds - DAMN!


He got ba-zeened in the first inning, like in the neck, by the pitcher who gave up back-to-back jacks to Kipnis and Cabrera. In the third inning, the kid threw a wild pitch and then walked Reynolds. His patience paid off and his next time up he hit the ball to John Adams at the top of the bleachers and then I think literally said "Yeah I just did that" to the pitcher as he walked in slow motion down the first base line.

PWNED!

He's got 10 homers now, and I guess this makes him on track for 55. Suck it, Tigers!

Carlos Santana merely walked today. He's been safely on base in each of his last 10 games, though. He's slipped down to the top 3-4 in the league in most of the categories he was leading BUT... he still leads in OBPS (on base percentage plus slugging). Gettin' it done!

Is thinking of Jambi when you hear Jason Giambi a real thing or is it just a me thing?

Mecca lecca hi, mecca hiney ho

I mean he's been around for a million years, just like this genie. I'm sure it must be a thing, right?

Giambi was facing the team that drafted him today. He hasn't played for them in 12 years, though. But he did get his digs in going 2 for 4 with a ha-uuuuuge 2-out, bases-loaded, 2-RBI double in the 8th. Ok, we would have won without it (by one run) but what's not to like about winning by THREE runs? It was pretty cool that the other team walked the bases loaded to get to Giambi, because they were thinking what everyone was thinking, and he was all "Wish? Did somebody say wish?" and got the job done.

Ryan Raburn! He's so good!

He's so good that while the other guys are taking batting practice, he's practicing his ________.

Raburn went 1 for 3 with a walk tonight. He followed up Giambi's hit in the 7th with one of his own, just to remind the world that the MLB Player Of The Week can be good for more than one week! And let's not forget that he's making some plays out in the field too. He had a nice catch today, prompting Tom Hamilton to tell us that Raburn's been putting in extra time getting better in the field. Extra time! How cool is that?!

I'm always so sad when Drew Stubbs doesn't get a hit. But I think every time he puts the bat to the ball, he runs so fast that he ALMOST gets a hit. So, maybe next time!

So let's see here...I believe Meryl Masterson's streak is now at 8 night games. She is a hero!

I'm no Charles Ramsey!

Tomorrow we get to see the A's again! Hooray! It's an extremely even matchup between Zach McAllister and LHP 3.69. Zach's been very solid for us this season so if the team keeps up their bats then it's no problem-o.

It'll be at 7:05 - see you there!

Radio Chatter:
"Parker is making a lot of pitches and not many of them are strikes."
- Tom Hamilton

"By the end of this game, [umpire] Angel Hernandez will have a new first name."
- Tom Hamilton is not a fan of tonight's strike zone

"You hit 'em that far, you better be able to watch and enjoy it. Especially off a guy who drilled you."
- Tom Hamilton on Reynolds' homer

"I think most people would rather watch a strikezone like this instead of some of the thimble-sized strike zones we've seen with other umpires."
- Tom Hamilton

"Asdrubal Cabrera saw Brantley take off and said 'You know what? I'll stand here and take a fastball...' That's very un-selfish of Cabrera."
- Tom Hamilton

There's a Time for Taking And a Time for Giving...

...but being on the losing side of a winning streak is how we make our living!




Here's your song for this game. Listen while you read this post. It doesn't mean anything, it's just in my head and it seems to fit well with my mood this afternoon. I mean, perhaps we have angered the Volcano Gods?

I'd like to help you son but you look like a goat.

I had a dream last night that we had won the game last night. And there was a good play at the plate. I think my brain is tired of losing baseball and made up a good story to sleep along to.

Masterson had a shit outing, only 1 outing removed from his last shit outing. So he's given up 16 in his last 3 outings.

The bullpen was terrible - although we'd lost the game by the time Masterson came out and Seddon came on for the 5th. He gave up 2 runs, Sipp walked 4 and gave up a run. Joe Smith - good ol' Joe Smith - he didn't give up any runs but Perez gave up a homer. But no one really cared because what's one more run when they've already got 11?

There were 371 pitches thrown today - at least the count wasn't lopsided. The average is just under 300. The game took 3 hours and 35 minutes, too.

We did get 10 hits and 7 walks. With out one HBP, we had the same number of guys on base (18) as the A's. We even had the same number of doubles! Only we didn't get our hits in the right order or something. They also got 4 home runs to our 2, and the difference in score was 5 runs - the same number of runs they got off homers.

Everyone actually had a decent day at the plate, numbers-wise. I'd say the pitching lost this one for us...which is a recent development! Or a recent re-tread of most of the rest of the season. Just something that hasn't been happening to us lately as our ability to score has been pretty weak all month. In fact we haven't scored 7 runs since August 5 when we scored 8. And lost.

Kipnis went 2 for 4 with a homer (13), a double and a walk. He walked in a run! Kipnis scored 2 runs and had 2 RBI! That's a real shot in the arm for him - hopefully is a foundation for a good, relaxed September.

One guy who is just NOT relaxing is Asdrubal, who is still swinging at shit. Seriously it's very obvious that he's trying to make up for something and failing miserably. He did get a walk and stole a base but otherwise he went 0 for 4 today and has a pretty sorry record over his last 40 at-bats.

Choo and Brantley each went 1 for 4, and Choo's was a huuuuuuuuuuge bases-loaded single (after Asdrubal had popped out). He got 3 RBI on the day. Brantley didn't score any runs or have any RBI but he did walk and got his 35th double!

Santana didn't hit but he did get 2 walks and came around to score.

Kotchman is still hangin' tough, getting his expected once-in-a-while hit. He went 1 for 5 but was also stellar in the field because, dammit, not everything has to go to pot!

Zeke had a good day at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs. He also stole a base, which he should do more of but he's only got 4. He had an error out there in left, no doubt the ghost of Shelley blowing the ball around! Woosh!

Hannahan came out of nowhere to go 2 for 4 today, with an RBI and a run! Waaaat?

Marson was holding down the end of the lineup in the 9 spot, and went 1 for 4 with an RBI.

Fairly impressive bit of hitting today on our side, although it was against a RHP. It was like the A's were conceding the win! But our pitchers had to give it away.

But, at least they're losing as a team eh?

Tomorrow the Rangers come to town. They are good - first place in the West - but at least they're not on a winning tear like the A's. In fact they lost their last one. Woohoo!

It's Ubaldo versus RHP (5.46). Oh man - we totally got that! Provided Ubaldo does not throw it away. I have a very good feeling about Friday's game! I had a good feeling about today's game, which was true - I knew we'd do well unless Masterson sucked, which he did.

So everyone have a good evening off and I'll see you tomorrow night!

Radio Chatter:
"He makes those tougher plays - that a lot of people don't realize are tougher plays - look a lot easier than they really are."
- Tom Hamilton on Casey Kotchman

"We talk so much about leadoff walks but as we saw right there - it doesn't matter where they are, they hurt."
- Jim Rosenhaus on Masterson loading the bases then giving up a 3-run double

"If Kotchman can't come up with it, chances are nobody else can either."
- Tom Hamilton

"Melky Cabrera being eligible for the National Leage batting title is something baseball needs to examine. It's like Al Capone being eligible for a tax break."
- Tom Hamilton

"Boy Oakland is putting on quite a ralley. They just returned a fastball for a touchdown."
- Tom Hamilton on some scoreboard shenanegins

"Jim Leyland may be going through a carton of heaters per day."
- Tom Hamilton on the frustrating Tigers

"Boy this is like an epidemic this inning. None of the Indians pitchers able to throw strikes."
- Tom Hamilton

"There hasn't been anything attractive about this game today."
- Tom Hamilton

"If you didn't know better, folks, you'd think today's date is March 17 and everybody was trying to get sharp for the season that starts in 2 weeks."
- Tom Hamilton says there have been 300 pitches thrown by the 7th

"There's no margin for error for those guys."
"They have to be 100 percent 100 percent of the time."
"We might start doing play-by-play of the jets, soon."
- Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus on the jets flying over, practicing for the Air Show

Shelley No More

Shelley Duncan was designated for assignment, guys.

WAT?!

That doesn't necessarily mean that he's gone forever. That's what it meant for Johnny Damon and Derek Lowe and Jose Lopez this year...but it doesn't have to come to that. He also could be released and come back again some other time or even traded away and traded back, like Austin Kearns!

DFA'd for Jeanmar Gomez. Gah. Gomez better have been fitted with a cannon on his arm to justify this, is all I gotta say.

Tom Hamilton did say that the entire team was pretty bummed to see him go. He is really well-liked. I still want to know what the people who make the decisions knew that we didn't know. Why didn't he get to play every day? Why did they spend the entire season and spring saying "WE HAVE NO LEFT FIELDER!"?

Of course this is mostly Johnny Damon's fault, and I'll never forgive him for it. But I can't dislike the man more than I already do so the point is pretty much moot.

Hey, Corey Kluber had a not-too-bad game today! He had 3 earned runs in 6 innings, which is way better than 6 in 3 innings (it's happened!) And he struck out 7!

The rest of the guys didn't look so impressive...Cody Allen has lost his magic. He gave up 2 runs in just 1 inning, which would be the losing run and its cousin. He did strike out the 3 guys that didn't get hits. Good try?

Jeanmar Gomez came in for the 8th, courtesy of Shelley Duncan. He didn't give up any runs or any hits and struck out one. What else is there to say?

Poor Vinnie came in for the 9th and gave up 2 runs. Holy smokes! The dude is just wasting away in the bullpen I suspect. He struck 1 out too, and the staff struck out a total of 12 today. That's pretty crazy - I guess the last time (before last night) we struck out 16 and lost was a game Bob Feller pitched. I can only imagine what sort of new words he taught the younger players that day!

The game started off pretty promising. In the pre-game "Ask The Manager" show Manny Acta described some special game the guys played instead of batting practice, to help them loosen up. Choo and Cabrera were captains and they picked teams and they played a simulated baseball game of some sort. Not sure exactly what it entailed but it sounded super neat. If only I was able to go to batting practice TODAY!! The losing team had to collect all the balls from the field.

I bet everyone was like "Man, you know who would dig this? Shelley would dig this. Man I miss that guy."

Regardless, they did say that the players were laughing and trash-talking and in the best mood they'd been in since the slide started. And then the game rolled around and it was a rough start (Asdrubal got thrown out of the game for arguing strikes) but they score in the third. First off Jason Donald's weak-but-it-counts solo homer, followed by Zeke absolutely screaming around the bases to get a triple (I didn't see it but I couldn't believe it when they said he was already at second!) and Kipnis actually hitting him in to score a second run on a fielder's choice. Hurrah! Teamwork!

Then that was pretty much it except for a walk and a hit-by-pitch. In the 7th they put together 2 singles to start the inning but nothing came of it.

In the 8th there was some more action, with bases loaded and no outs. Bases got loaded on some way goofy error that is not a video highlight. I don't know why...aside from Donald's homer this is the only Indians offensive highlight video from tonight. It's a video of Kotchman hitting a slow roller to the second baseman while Marson scores. Yawn yawn and double yawn! Why not show how Michael Brantley got on base before that? Why not show Zeke's triple? Bad video picks!

Anyway so Kotch got a sac ground out and Marson scored. Before that Lillibridge had a sac fly and Choo scored. In case you didn't follow, that is TWO runs with bases loaded and no outs!! HOLY MOLEY I think they got it! Very sad that we have to be excited for two sacrifice RBIs (in fact, 3 of our 4 runs today were sacrifice) but considering our non-ability for scoring with bases loaded this is pretty exciting. Next stop - bases-loaded singles!

Zeke got a double in the 9th, giving him 2 extra-base hits on the night. And I guess that's why Shelley is gone. Dude's had 3 triples in 23 games with the Indians this year. Shelley had 11 homers, though (in 81 games).

Michael Brantley did not get a hit, in case you were curious. He did walk, though.

They managed to score 4 runs today which is the most runs they've scored since the 18th when they scored 5 against the A's in Oakland. That was 9 games ago. It's also the first runs they've scored since Sunday.

So did the little pick-up game before the real game help? Probably. It is definitely about relaxing right now. I think now that there is no more playoff dreams, they are all worried about keeping their jobs. Understandable, I guess.

Tomorrow is Justin Masterson versus RHP (3.52). I actually have a good feeling about the game. We've got a little hitting momentum, Masterson is on an upswing (his new pattern seems to be 2 good games and 1 bad, and he was bad just 2 outings ago).

It's a 12:05 game tomorrow. I hope people show up! The weather will be good. I'll be listening from work - see you there!

Oh as a tribute to Shelley Duncan - who no doubt enjoyed a good Nerf gun - and also to get more hits on my blog, I am going to share a secret I discovered today for modifying a Nerf Big Bad Bow.

I'll hide it for you, though, if you don't care. Click here to view.

I read the instructions found at this Instructable but it was kind of weak. Then I checked out this You Tube video which had good hints, but just said I needed 1/2" PVC pipe. Well, he must have meant 1/2" outer-dimension because no way does a 1/2" inner-dimension pipe fit inside the muzzle of that gun. Also 1/2" ID is too big for a dart - if you're not careful you'd lose the dart in there. AND if you use a big long piece of pipe you can't put an arrow on your bow anymore.

At the last minute I picked up one of these things: a 3/8" to 1/2" copper coupling. That ended up being the perfect thing!

The small end fits into the muzzle of the gun and the wide end accepts a dart snugly (I have whistler darts) . The more snug it fits, the better it shoots. Taking out the air restrictor as shown in the instructions above plus adding the snug (but short) tip gives you a way to shoot darts crazy far. And you can still shoot arrows crazy far! I only shot as far as my house is wide (uh, 25 feet?) but the darts were blasting out for realz. Oh and now your silly plastic weapon has a sweet copper tip.

Modified Nerf Big Bad Bow

Very cool - can't wait to try it out in my backyard tomorrow. Now I have something to do with my time on a day with no baseball game.

Radio Chatter:
"It looks like Bartolo Colon ate Popeye."
- Tom Hamilton says Colon didn't get good on spinach

"One thing about [umpire] Gary Darling - he's got every hitter on both sides talking to themselves."
- Tom Hamilton

"How on earth does somebody from New Jersey qualify for a higher academic institution like that? Explain it, Rosie."
"There are some people that can be very persuasive."
"Is the guy's name Guido?"
- Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus riff on New Jersey

"What is wrong with you tonight?"
"What's wrong with me? It's 6 to 2. I gotta pick on somebody."
- Jim Rosenhaus and Tom Hamilton

"You can't argue dumb baseball. Might as well go back to the dugout."
- Tom Hamilton on the goofy play in the 8th

Strike Out Kings

WOULD YOU BELIEVE...that the strike-out-ers I refer to in the title up there are NOT Cleveland Indians? It does NOT refer to the batters who could not score a run tonight. The guys doing most of the striking out tonight were the Oakland A's!

Our pitchers combined threw 16 strikeouts today. Little Zach McAllister threw 8 himself, in just 4 1/3 innings! And then Esmil Rogers struck out 4 of the 6 batters he faced! Sipp struck out 2 in 1 2/3 and Smith struck out 2 in the 9th.

Sadly, McAllister gave up 5 runs in his 4 1/3, and then Smith had 2 un-earned runs in his line.

Doesn't matter, though, because the hitters weren't hitting.

Actually they were hitting - a lot more than yesterday's measly two hits and 3 walks. Today they had 8 hits and a walk. And 9 LOB. Do the math, boffins - that's no good.

In fact, only two of our guys didn't get a hit. And - be still my beating heart - one of those guys was Michael Brantley! I KNOW!!!!! At least he didn't strike out. So smooth! The other guy who didn't get a hit was Jason Donald. Eh.

Everyone else got at least one hit and Santana got TWO. Choo also walked.

But nobody was stacking their hits up. Or if they were, it would get to the point of runners in scoring position then stop. Then FAIL.

While Brantley was ending a streak, so was Asdrubal - he got a double in the 7th so now he's like 2 for his last 27 or something ridiculous.Whee.

Lillibridge had his second double in 2 nights. He also had his 5th error since coming here.  His third error at short, if I'm not mistaken.

Choo had an error. CHOO!! Only his second of the year, too. But there it was. Shelly had an awful night in left - a Damon-esque night - but he didn't get any E's on his plays.

So yay on all the strikeouts! Boo on absolutely everything else. It was a miserable night for the Tribe. My colored hair streaks are having no positive impact.

Everyone hang tight until Saturday when they start bringing up new guys and maybe something fun will happen.

Until then, we've got tomorrow's 7:05 game, still against the A's. It's Corey Kluber versus LHP (3.52). That doesn't look promising but YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE! That's what Herb Score liked to say. You wouldn't want to poo-poo Herb Score now, would you?

So, see you there!

Radio Chatter:
"Maybe he didn't like your shirt, that is why he was shaking his head!"
- Tom Hamilton's response to Rosenhaus saying Choo shook his head when talking about facing Brent Anderson

"Basically, Rosie or I could have been the backup quarterback to Eli Manning at the University of Mississippi."
- Tom Hamilton on Seth Smith never having to fill in for Manning

"They either get a base hit or they strike out. This is like a Little League game - the pitcher and catcher are the only ones involved."
- Tom Hamilton

"It's a basketball arena for people who enjoy watching basketball. If you want tea and crumpets you can go somewhere else."
- Tom Hamilton on the University of Dayton basketball arena

"Oh yeah that's right - that one weekend you thought you were a Chippendale."
- Tom Hamilton recalling the time he accused Rosie of not wearing a shirt in the booth

"This team is not playing well. And that's the understatement of the year."
- Tom Hamilton

At Least No One Was There To See

We lost today. On to two-in-a-row now.

Lots of twittering about how small the crowd was. The official count was 13k but everyone was saying it looked more like 4-5k. I had actually considered going up to the game today but it may have been rained out. Did you see the rain today? It rained all day. No one was going to go to the game tonight to maybe be sent home. I like to see a big crowd as much as the next person but I don't think tonight's game was a good representation of what is going on with the fans.

Anyway, Roberto Hernandez started and wouldn't you know...his first start had some bad defense so we couldn't judge him. His second start had a bad reliever that gave up two of Hernandez's earned runs, so we couldn't judge him. Now, today, he pitched 2 1/3 innings and twisted his ankle and that was it. He did give up 3 runs in his 2 1/3 innings so maybe we can judge him on that - although Ubaldo did the same yesterday and the Yankees' starter did the same Saturday.

Chris Seddon looked good in his long relief. He pitched 4 2/3 innings and only gave up 2 hits, walked one and struck out one. He hasn't been spectacular or anything but I think he's been a workhorse for us. I think I'd like to see him next year for sure - if he doesn't take some sort of turn for the worse in the last month!

Cody Allen went back to being perfect, and threw 2 innings only giving up 1 hit and striking out 1. Perfectly boring, I guess. His ERA is 1.08. Definitely looking forward to seeing him next year, if he is the real deal. Tom Hamilton doesn't seem to think we can trust anyone in our bullpen other than Smith, Pestano and Perez. But in his time here, at least, Allen looks to be at a level between Smith and Pestano. Of course I am no expert but from an eagle-eye view, that's what I am seeing.

There were only two hits tonight! We actually got more walks than hits - 3! Asdrubal was benched. Basically he is signed on through next year and we know he's awesome so he is going to be benched a lot, I think. Gotta see what we think about Lillibridge in the long term. Gotta feel out Donald some more. And I guess come next Monday there will be a ton of new faces playing all the time. That might be fun!

Kipnis was 0 for 3 with a walk. Santana was 0 for 2 with 2 walks! Woohoo! Hoo...

Still playing along as if nothing was ever going to break-a his stride, nobody gonna slow him down, is Michael Brantley! Six-game hitting streak and he's hit safely in 9 of his last 10 games. And in the "missing" 10th game, he walked. That guy, I tell you, a goddamn diamond in the rough! I hope to Og nobody comes by and swipes him from us because he'd be as big of a loss as Asdrubal, Choo or Perez. No kidding.

Brent Lillibridge got a double today, and did not commit any errors at short. So he's got that going for him.

LaPorta didn't do anything today but strike out twice. In his 6 games with us this season (3 in June, 3 just now) he's got 3 hits and 7 strikeouts. In the minors he has 62 RBI and is batting .264. I think he is some sort of fish in a pond analogy. Poor guy.

Yep, that's it. Two hits, three walks. No runs, lost game. Keep in mind that the A's starter has a .64 ERA right now. Of course, this is his second game of the season but that means someone else had trouble with him too. Perhaps Brett Anderson is some sort of phenom. I'll go ahead and throw that out there early, in case I'm right. If I'm wrong well...nobody will notice.


Tomorrow is another one against the A's. Zach McAllister versus RHP (3.87). We did score 4 runs off this very RHP a week or so ago! But they scored 4 off Zach. Look for this one to maybe be settled by the bullpen. Urk...

Anyway, 7:05 game - I'll see you there!

Oh, no Radio Chatter tonight. I listened, I swear. Other than some joking about football draft benefits and the Kardashians, there was very little excitement on the radio tonight. Nary even a peep about steroids in the water in Oakland or how poorly the Dodgers happened to do after the addition of their shiny new players. They did spend some time talking about how good the A's have been since the break and how good tonight's pitcher was. But nothing worth writing down - sorry!

Bummer of a Game, But Check Out This Cute Kid!

I'm kind of tired today. I had a nice day yesterday at Jack's birthday party. Check him out in his new ride!

Roll Tribe!

Yeah, all of my friends' kids are this cute. I have good-lookin friends!

After yesterday being such a nice day, and then spending today hanging out with my niece, who had a nice time (we even found some old Municipal Stadium photos in my mom's photo box!) I came home to listen to this game and...well, it was a bummer.

No pitching and no hitting. No fun, that's for sure. It just so happens that Bartolo Colon shut us down yesterday (well, 1 run) and Coco Crisp got 5 RBI off us today.

Masterson had a bad game.

Rogers did all right even though he gave up 3 hits. Pure Rage came in to work for the first time in 6 days just to get some work in.

Kipnis was out. Zeke lead off. He got himself a hit on speed, which is what we brought him up to do. It was just 1 hit, though. He did steal a base on the hit but otherwise nothing.

Choo had another 2 for 4 game, his second in a row, but Asdrubal ended his little "streak" of 2-hit games by going 0 for 4.

Santana and Brantley each got 1 hit and each have a 3-game hitting streak. But no RBI for any of them. No RBI for anyone today.

Kotchman went 2 for 4. He seems to have decent nights when no one else does...which doesn't get us very far.

No errors on the field today. Holla.

So, like, whatever. We're still on the West Coast. I'll be there for the 10:10 game tomorrow in Seattle which is Ubaldo versus RHP (4.28). We really don't know what to expect, do we?

See you there!

Radio Chatter:
"For Joe West to miss a call on the bases...you know what folks? He could flip a coin and get about as many correct calls, with his eyes closed."
- Tom Hamilton on the accuracy of the umpire

"It's kind of depressing, to say the least, going from San Francisco to Oakland. That is part of the reason why this team wants to get the heck out of here and go to San Jose."
- Tom Hamilton

"If you have too much fun at Buffalo Wild Wings, having more beers than wings, your fantasy football team ends up with 23 quarterbacks and you go 'What happened?'"
- Tom Hamilton

"What the Indians need now are more players like Michael Brantley."
- Tom Hamilton, amen

"Folks here in Oakland are not speaking the king's English when they are 'visiting' with the guys in the visitor's bullpen."
- Tom Hamilton

"They're legit - and they're too legit to quit. MC Hammer used to be a bat boy for the Oakland A's."
- Tom Hamilton on the A's

"This is supposed to be the worst offense in baseball? You'd never know it this weekend."
- Tom Hamilton

A Little Fight Left

I don't mean Bartolo Colon, although he's got a little fight left in him doesn't he? One earned run in 8 innings. I'm surprised we managed 5 hits and only 3 strikeouts.

We had another one of those innings where a bunch of runs scored after an error. Only damn...was it much of an error? I didn't see it but the way they described it, Asdrubal worked his ass off to get a ball then had a shaky throw to first that Kotchman couldn't get. But it led to steals and then hits and then runs and the game was 4-0 A's by the time Kluber left after the 5th.

Not sure why Herrmann sucked. He gave up 2 runs in 1 2/3 innings. I don't remember him sucking but then they did send him down to the minors and brought in Accardo instead so I guess he had some stuff to work out. And didn't get it worked out yet.

Cody Allen, though - He had another 2/3 of an inning today so that makes 12 whole innings, something like 4 hits and still no runs. So that's pretty fun, right?!

Chris Seddon closed it out today. Looked like a "throw your hands up" move on Acta's part. He gave up a run too. Because, whatever.

Our boys did eke out 10 hits and 5 runs. No walks, though.

Asdrubal had another good night, his 3rd 2-hit game in a row. Third game with a double in a row, too! OMG!!

He managed to score a run because Choo was awake tonight, also going 2 for 4 with his team-leading 15th homer!! It was a 2-run dinger, too! For some reason, Tom Hamilton was extremely un-interested in calling it with any emotion. Perhaps that Oakland ballpark is just so big he gets bored waiting for the ball to get over the wall?

Santana had a homer tonight and better yet it was off Colon! His average is rockin' steady at .237. It doesn't seem to want to move.

Kotchman went 1 for 3 and was pulled in the 9th for Lillibridge. Cabrera had started off the inning with a single and Choo followed up with a 2-run homer. Brantley singled but Santana and Duncan made for two outs when Lillibridge came in. And with the help of the Lord he got himself a 2-run, 2-out homer!

That's 3 homers and 5 RBI for Lillibridge in 16 games with us - and not all of them starts. He's no Lopez that's for sure (and dear God he is definitely no shortstop) but do you guys like him? Can always use a utility infielder!

Speaking of utility guys, Jason Donald came off the bench in that 9th inning to get a 2-out single and keep the game alive - now only 3 runs down! He extended his hitting streak to 6 games. He's got 10 hits in 28 at-bats since he got back. I don't know what to make of him, really. I don't know why Lillibridge seems to excite me more than Donald, even though Donald is doing better in about the same time here. I guess because Lillibridge is "proven"? I also don't know what Donald means in terms of Lonnie Chisenhall. I think there was some back-and-forth with Kipnis's and Donald's permanence last year, where Kipnis won out. Which little guy might land at third?

I guess if Chisenhall comes back and does well and Donald continues to do well, it's a good problem to have!

Anyway, sad beginning to the game but a hopeful ending. REALLY great to see them score late and hit some homers in a relatively low-on-the-hitters-scale home run park. It's 3rd in the league for fewest home runs this year.

Here's an interesting stat, though. As of right now, according to the ESPN Home Run Tracker, Travis Hafner has this year's second furthest hit homer in the AL. His 481-foot bomb in KC. He's got the 3rd longest this year overall, behind the one hit at Coors Field (naturally) and the one at Angel Stadium. So there you go.

Tomorrow is a 4:05 start, Masterson versus RHP (3.71). The guy hasn't won since July 21 while Masterson had a fantastic outing last time. Is it meant to be?!

See you tomorrow, we'll find out together!

Radio Chatter - Bartolo Colon edition:
"Bartolo Colon is still great at pitching. You just won't ever have him running sprints."
- Tom Hamilton on Colon's weight

"I think all 80 pounds is in his chin."
- Jim Rosenhaus on Colon's weight

"There are a lot of guys in the Major Leagues who look like Brad Pitt, and pitch like him too."
- Tom Hamilton on Colon's weight

"Now, I don't want to go overboard here but GOLLY WHIZ, he is putting on a clinic here!"
- Tom Hamilton on Colon's pitching

"Word on the street is completely fabricated - I don't eat hot dogs. Unless they are Indians' Dollar Dogs."
- Tom Hamilton

"Our engineer Mike has put his winter coat on. [...] It's 65 degrees and he looks like Nanook."
- Tom Hamilton

"You should see the crowd here. They are bundled up in coats, hats, gloves. Good lord - it's 65 degrees!"
- Tom Hamilton

"No double play since the ball looked like a wet grape coming out of the hands of Jemile Weeks."
- Tom Hamilton on Carrera's hit in the 8th

"Those hot dogs were first put on the grill when Charlie Finley owned the ball club."
- Tom Hamilton does not trust the hot dogs

Vinnie Had His Turn

It was bound to happen, boffins. Vinnie had to have a bad game at some point. Don't worry though - it didn't go on his record. The earned runs were Smith's runners and Smith got the loss.

But still Vinnie did give up 2 hits to let some guys he inherited get home. We were tied when he came in and lost by the time he left.

McAllister didn't do all that much better. He had a 4-run lead which got down to 1 run when he gave up a bunch of hits and a walk in the 4th. But then again his ERA is 3.64 so it stands to reason he'd give up the 4th run to tie it in the 5th. He was doing quite well with getting out of jams and then having a 1-2-3 inning in the 3rd. He just...lost it.

Inbetween McAllister and the ill-fated Smith was Sipp who went 2/3 of an inning with no hits or runs. Yeah!

Not all on the pitchers today, though. Our guys could not get anything going at the plate for nothin'. Only 6 hits and 1 walk, against a pitcher who did not warrant only 6 hits.

Asdrubal had a good night! He went 2 for 4 with a double, for the second night in a row! Asdrubal has 13 hits in his last 10 games. Unfortunately, Choo and Kipnis are struggling around him and neither guy got a hit today.

Santana went 1 for 3 with a walk. He's slowly climbing out of the gutter but has a lot of early-season crud to overcome to get his average back up there.

Brantley and Donald each went 1 for 4. Brantley also got on via an error, which is when he came in to score a run. Donald actually has a 5-game hitting streak going on and has only not hit in 1 game since his return. Huh! Zeke came in to replace him in the late innings and just this once didn't get a pinch hit.

Shelley Duncan, though - look out! SHELLEY EVERY DAY! THE DUNC TANK! GRAAAAAND SLAAAAM! Man how many grand slams have we had this year? Two? There's been a dearth, no doubt, considering how our guys usually clam up when the bases are juiced (especially Johnny Damon who always seemed to be up aaarrrgghh!) Tonight Shelley had the bat magic to send it out! The TV commentator said the guy should have thrown him a changeup because throwing Shelley a fastball was "like trying to throw a pork chop past a wolf." Ha!

That was it, though. No one else hit, no one else scored. Not even Shelley. Heck not even Asdrubal by that point. The A's brought in their bullpen with their ridiculous Vinnie-like ERAs and that was all she wrote.

On a more positive note - check out this car I painted for my friend's kid! I fixed up a used, abused, faded Little Tikes Cozy Coupe with paint. Tomorrow is his first birthday party, pretty excited to give it to him:

Turns out Krylon makes a paint for plastic so you can do all sorts of crazy stuff to kids' toys. I have extra blue and some decals left...perhaps his outdoor swing needs a makeover next?

Anyway so that should leave you warm and fuzzy until tomorrow's game at 9:05. It's Corey Kluber versus RHP (3.55). A guy you're sure to remember. Imagine a little boy lighting up at the sight of his new toy car. Then imagine the Indians going to clobber one of the oldest dudes in baseball. If nothing else, perhaps you can create a really solid drinking game based around how often Tom Hamilton brings up Colon's age and "special medicine."

See you there!

Radio Chatter:
"Rosie decided to taste every grape in Napa Valley."
- Tom Hamilton on Jim Rosenhaus's anniversary in San Francisco

"This and at Oakland Raiders games - a lot of folks are picked up by their parole officers to go home."
- Tom Hamilton

"Nothing says romance like the Oakland Coliseum."
- Tom Hamilton

"There is nobody who gives a hoot about the Boston and Yankees series this weekend. [...] That's what happens when one team's not good and the other team is bad."
- Tom Hamilton

"It's almost like he wants to scream 'Why?! Why can't I throw this slider for a strike?!'"
- Tom Hamilton on Vinnie Pestano

"I wonder how many people are going to ask Bartolo Colon for the phone number of his doctor. The first one will probably be Jane Fonda."
- Tom Hamilton