Category: Cleveland Indians (Page 91 of 96)

Cliff Lee was good but Paul Byrd was better as the Angels beat the Indians 3-1 Monday. Lee surrendered three runs (two earned) on seven hits in 7.2 innings of work but Angels starter Paul Byrd shutout the Tribe for seven innings while allowing just three hits and striking out five. Grady Sizemore collected two more hits, including an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, and Aaron Boone notched a hit in back-to-back games for only the third time since April 10.

The Indians were going for the sweep of Toronto Sunday with ace C.C. Sabathia on the mound. Unfortunately, Jays ace Roy Halladay outdueled Sabathia as the Tribe fell 5-2. C.C. pitched better than his line (7.2 IP, 8 hits, 4 ER) indicates, with the big blow, a three-run homer from Vernon Wells, coming with two outs in the eighth.

On a side note, we’ve had an Aaron Boone sighting: 2-4 with an RBI. That’s two multi-hit games in his last four, bringing his average up to .142. I smell a batting title!

It’s hard to belive, but the Tribe has won three in a row for the first time this season. They’ve had the fewest home games in the majors, so it would be a great time to heat up at home. The youngsters like Peralta and Sizemore are leading the way along with the bullpen, so there is still significant room for improvement if guys like Victor Martinez finally start hitting.

The Indians activated Jody Gerut from the 15-day DL Friday and optioned him to AAA Buffalo. Don’t expect to see him there long, though — the lineup could use a shot in the arm and while Gerut’s no superstar, some new blood may revive the entire lineup.

The question, though, is who gets demoted once Gerut is called up. There have been some whispers that the Tribe is considering sending Aaron Boone down but unless he’s still hitting .120 in June or July, that’s not likely going to happen. Ryan Ludwick doesn’t have any options left so he’s probably not going anywhere. I guess that leaves Grady Sizemore as the odd man out, unless Shapiro wants to send Jhonny Peralta to AAA and hand the starting job at short to Alex Cora, but Peralta’s bat has finally shown some signs of life so he’s probably staying put as well. Of course, it’ll get real interesting once Juan Gonzalez returns.

Coco Crisp had three hits, scored two runs and stole a base, leading the Indians to a 9-3 win Wednesday afternoon over the Angels. Cliff Lee gave up two earned in six innings with four Ks, but he retired the last 13 hitters he faced and didn’t walk anybody.

As encouraging as Lee’s performance was, seeing the offense fire on all its cylinders, even if only for one afternoon, was kinda nice. Ben Broussard, Jhonny Peralta and Casey Blake each went deep, Broussard’s homer being his first of three hits on the day. Grady Sizemore added two hits from the leadoff slot. The only negative was Travis Hafner’s 0-5. If you have him on your fantasy team and you see nine runs on the board for the Tribe, you’re thinking Pronk did something for you. Whoops.

The biggest news of the day, though, may be Coco’s line. He collected three hits Tuesday with a homer and a steal and three more hits today with a homer and a steal, but he only had one hit Monday. A solo home run. And he stole a base.

Expected by some to go 20/20 atop the Tribe’s lineup, Coco is now easily in line with those numbers, sitting at four homers and six steals following this week’s binge. All of the damage, though, has been down lower in the order — after batting second in Monday’s win, Coco has hit sixth the past two games. While I still think he’ll be this team’s leadoff hitter, I doubt he’s going anywhere anytime soon. Batting sixth has suited him nicely.

By the way, we’re sending out a search party for Aaron Boone. If you’ve seen him, please, send word (0-4, 1 K, 4 LOB).