Author: John Blake (Page 55 of 68)

C.C Sabathia returned from the D.L and gave the Indians just what they needed, a strong pitching performance. The big lefty made his first start after being out for a month with an abdominal strain and pitched as if he were in midseason form. Sabathia, who seemed to be on a strict pitch count, got through five innings while giving up the lone White Sox run in the Indians 7-1 win Tuesday afternoon. Travis Hafner homered for the second straight game and tallied four RBI on the day as the Tribe pounded out 13 hits against Sox ace Mark Buerhle.

Having Sabathia back in the rotation is huge. Pronk agrees, saying his presence on the mound is a boost to the team.

“He’s a guy that’s very well respected on the team — the ace of the staff,” said Travis Hafner, who drove in four runs. “It’s a huge pick-me-up for everybody to have him back on the mound.”

As long as we stay afloat until our injured relievers return I think we will be OK. Perhaps the other starters were putting too much pressure on themselves when Sabathia was out. We now have our ace back finally and hopefully that will take some of the heat of Lee, Westbrook, and company.

Jim Thome’s return to Cleveland after bolting the team nearly four years ago was not pleasant as he got booed constantly by Tribe fans. However, he and and White Sox got the last laugh Monday night as they beat the Indians 8-6 at the Jake. The Sox jumped out to a 3-0 lead with the help of Paul Konerko’s three-run homer in the first off Cliff Lee. With Chicago up 7-1 in the seventh, Travis Hafner ripped a grand slam to right as the Tribe pulled the deficit closer. But that would be as close as they would get as the Indians lose for the third straight night. It’s a new season but the White Sox continue to own the Indians at Jacobs Field, beating them there for the eighth straight time.

Overall a very sloppy night for the Tribe. Slocum and Cabrera were ineffective once again in relief and the four errors by the Tribe just aren’t going to cut it.

The Indians came into the seventh inning with a three-run lead and left down three. Jake Westbrook left in the seventh with the lead and runners on base, but Jason Davis couldn’t hold it. The Rangers scored six in the inning and went on to beat the Indians 8-4 and win the series. Everyone in the Ranger lineup, except Gerald Laird, recorded a hit in the ballgame. For the Tribe, Victor Martinez went 3 for 4 with two runs scored.

JD has been tough so far filling in for the injured relievers but not tonight. The seventh was obvously the difference as the Tribe drop thier second straight. We have not been able to get in a rythym at all recently. We lose five in a row, then win three. The inconsistency of the pitching staff continues to kill us.

In his return to Cleveland, Kevin Millwood and the Rangers beat the Indians 7-5 Saturday night at Jacobs Field to tie the series. Millwood pitched seven strong innings, giving up only two runs and striking out seven. Fausto Carmona got roughed up for the second straight start as he allowed six runs in 5 2/3 innings. The Tribe fought back in the eighth with the help of Ben Broussard’s two-run homer but it wasn’t enough.

C.C’s return can’t come soon enough. After his first start, Carmona seemed uncomfortable and may not be ready for the majors just yet. Westbrook needs to get back on track so we can win the series tomorrow night.