Month: September 2006 (Page 8 of 15)

Garko, Guitierrez great in win

It was a rather unconventional walk-off win, but the Indians will take it. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th, Ryan Garko grounded into a fielder’s choice which scored the winning run in the Tribe’s 5-4 win over the Twins Friday night. Not only did Garko have the game-winning RBI, he helped the Indians get off to a quick lead thanks to his two-run blast off one of the American League’s best in Johan Santana. Franklin Guitierrez also had a solid night with three hits and two doubles, one of which started the 10th inning rally.

Fausto Carmona took the hill once again and for once, the game didn’t completely blow up in his face. Despite five walks, Carmona gave up only two runs in five innings and left with the lead. The Twins were able to get to Tom Mastny in the ninth to tie it but the Indians were able to deliver some extra-inning magic.

Smith shouldn’t change his ways

The Ohio State Buckeyes excelled all last year on Troy Smith running and throwing the ball. This year Smith has relied solely on the pass and has almost avoided running the ball. This has been successful so far this year, but I believe Coach Tressel and Troy shouldn’t forget what made them who they are today.

Last year, Smith would run and pass; this confused the defense and opened passing and running lanes. I think it’s critical the offense implements some option plays back in the scheme. The strength of this team is the flexibility and that is what will lead us to the title game.

Indians continue to slump

Well, that nice little run of victories the Indians had a few weeks ago may have officially ended. The rare energy and passion seen during that span appears to have died. The Tribe lost for the fifth time in six games Thursday to the Twins and are 5-8 in the month of September after storming through August. Starter Cliff Lee only gave up one run through four, but was pulled after his pitch cout rose. Then Eric Wedge went through his relievers like they were going out of style. Eight relievers he used to finish the final five innings in their 9-4 loss. The Twins pulled ahead for good in the eighth when they scored three on two home runs off Fernando Cabrera.

Andy Marte was basically the Indians’ offense, which only managed six hits. Marte had two of them, including a three-run shot in the sixth that temporarily tied the game at four.

Let the trash talk begin

It’s Bengals week which means only one thing: a bunch of smack coming from #85’s mouth. Wide receiver Chad Johnson and Browns cornerback Leigh Bodden (not Lehigh Bowden, Chad) will match up again this Sunday. Despite being held to just two catches in their last meeting in 2005, Johnson still finds reason to run his mouth.

“Last year when they came here you saw balls all over because it was a heavy wind game. You didn’t see anyone physically knock the ball down, physically jam me at the line.

“Let’s talk football. It’s humanly impossible to stop 85. To talk your kind of talk, you’re kind of insulting me a little bit. I cannot be stopped, period.”

Obviously not too thrilled by Chad’s declarations, Browns tight end Kellen Winslow came to Bodden’s defense and backed up his cornerback.

“My boy Bodden is going to shut him down as he did last year. He’s the best corner in the league, I think. It’s a big challenge for him, but it’s also a big challenge for Chad. So tell him that.”

The blonde mohawk’s response?

“I can’t be stopped because of what Kellen Winslow feels. If he feels that strongly, that’s good. His teammates should have faith in him, feel that he’s the best corner. I feel the same way about my corners. There’s nothing wrong with that at all.”

“I feel our defense is going to shut down Kellen Winslow. How about that?’

Too bad Winslow and Johnson won’t ever be on the field at the same time. Imagine those fireworks. In any event, the war of words should fuel the Browns just that much more for the Battle of Ohio. Maybe for once the Browns can come out ready to play this time and show some early intensity, something that was lacking in the first half of Week 1.

I would love nothing more than for Bodden and the Browns to shut up that loud mouth and come away with in a “W” in Cincy. They have played some competitive games with the Bengals the past few seasons and have even won a couple, so they’ve proven they can play with them. Hopefully CJ’s remarks will give the defense a little extra motivation, just like what happened in the Pepto game.

Westbrook’s troubles continue in loss

The Indians lost to the Royals for the second straight night as starter Jake Westbrook couldn’t keep Kansas City off base and the offense for the Tribe was stagnant once again. During their 6-2 loss Wednesday night, the Indians weren’t able to keep up with the Royals as they continued to plate runs after building an early lead. The four-run deficit could have been much greater had it not been for some nifty defensive plays by Casey Blake and Ryan Garko. The only runs the Tribe did score came from a Grady Sizemore homer and a Blake sacrifice fly.

Westbrook has now given up more than 10 hits in three of his last four starts. Being a pitcher who doesn’t rely on strikeouts and makes the hitter put the ball in play, Jake’s going to see a lot of hits as a result of that approach. He just hasn’t done the greatest job his last few starts limiting them.

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