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Tribe picks up rare series victory

Posted on Sunday 24 September 2006

The Grady Sizemore show took center stage on Sunday. The center-fielder highlighted an offensive clinic with two home runs as the Tribe rolled over Kevin Millwood and the Rangers 11-6 Sunday afternoon to give them a series victory. Texas scored three in the fifth off Jake Westbrook to cut the Tribe lead to one but the Indians bounced right back and responded with five in the top of the next inning. Sizemore had a pair of two-run homers on the day, one of which came in the fifth via an inside-the-parker.

“When you talk about doubles, triples or inside-the-park home runs, the first two or three steps out of the box are what give you a chance to do it or not,” Wedge said. “That’s the way Grady gets out of the box every time.”

He and Aaron Boone led the charge offensively and finished with two hits and four RBI on the day. Westbrook allowed five runs in as many innings but still managed to pick up his 14th win of the season. The last time the Tribe faced Millwood, he pitched like a Cy Young Award winner and had them fooled all game. They were able to get to him early and often on Sunday.

John Blake @ 11:29 pm
Filed under: Cleveland Indians
Browns lose heartbreaker, fall to 0-3

Posted on Sunday 24 September 2006

After building a 14-3 lead at the end of the first half, things were looking bright for the winless Browns as it looked like they might come out of Cleveland Browns Stadium with their first win of the season. However, as the Browns were driving at the end of the fourth quarter, a key turnover in the end zone gave the Ravens life and enabled them to comeback and win 15-14 on a Matt Stover field goal. The Browns were able to get some big plays in the first half. Braylon Edwards hauled in a 58-yard touchdown pass and Charlie Frye had his third consecutive running touchdown for the Browns’ two scores. That would be it for the Browns’ offense as it stalled in the second half until the second to last drive.

The Browns had the ball and a slim lead within the Ravens’ 5-yard line with the fourth quarter ticking away. With a decent running game, they could have took time off the clock and just pound it in the endzone but were forced to throw it and an interception cost them a chance at putting the game out of reach.

John Blake @ 6:32 pm
Filed under: Cleveland Browns
Ngata apparently not what Browns wanted

Posted on Sunday 24 September 2006

The Browns had a chance to draft run-stuffer Haloti Ngata with the 12th pick in this year’s draft. They didn’t, and allowed the Baltimore Ravens to take him after a trade. While Kamerion Wimbley may be a good player in the future, Ngata is already paying dividends for the brick wall that is the Ravens defense. The rookie out of Oregon is doing for the Ravens what Ted Washington should be doing for the Browns - stopping the run. On draft day, the Browns felt their need for a pass-rusher was greater than their desire for a nose tackle who could clog up the middle and stop the run. So far, unfortunately, neither aspect has shown any improvement for the Browns defense.

John Blake @ 9:19 am
Filed under: Cleveland Browns
New starter, new result

Posted on Sunday 24 September 2006

Brian Slocum started for the Tribe and didn’t qualify for a win but still did his job as the Tribe beat the Rangers 6-3 Saturday night. Second baseman Joe Inglett had his second consecutive three-hit ballgame and Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run homer and had three RBIs to lead the offense. Victor Martinez’s two-run double helped give the Tribe a 4-0 lead in the third. Held to a strict pitch count, Slocum gave up only one run in four innings as the Indians offense finally was able to get back in gear to snap their four-game losing streak.

John Blake @ 1:26 am
Filed under: Cleveland Indians