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Sowers is sweet

July 23, 2006 /

After performances like this, Indians fans can easily see why the organization made Jeremy Sowers their first-round pick. Sowers pitched a complete-game four-hit shutout as the Tribe walloped the Twins 11-0 Saturday night. The last Indians rookie pitcher to throw a complete-game shutout was Billy Traber in 2003 against the Yankees. Mixing his 90 mph fastball with his above average off-speed pitches, the 23-year-old totally overmatched Twin hitters all night.

“It helps a lot for my confidence,” Sowers said. “My first four starts had some good moments, but also some bad moments. This start, I was able to put a complete game together.”

Even though he didn’t need much, Sowers received plenty of run support from his offense. Travis Hafner hit home run #29 and Grady Sizemore and Joe Inglett each had three hits and two RBI. All three of Sizemore’s hits were doubles. Jason Michaels added two RBI and even Ramon Vasquez had two hits. As much as the offense put on a show, the game was all about the rookie pitcher.

“He controlled the ballgame,” said manager Eric Wedge, “from the first inning on.”

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Wimbley agrees to deal

July 22, 2006 /

Browns first-round pick Kamerion Wimbley will sign a six-year deal and becomes only the second 2006 first-round pick to agree to terms on a contract.

The 13th overall selection in the draft, Wimbley will sign a six-year contract with a maximum value of $23.7 million, including $9.3 million in guarantees. That represents a nearly 10 percent increase in the guaranteed money paid to the 13th overall pick in the 2005 draft.

The deal will be voided after five years provided Wimbley reaches predetermined playing time thresholds, and then the Browns would have the right to “buy back” the voided year by paying Wimbley a sizeable bonus.

The Wimbley signing marks the first time the Browns have had their first-round pick in camp on time since Courtney Brown in 2000. Wimbley joins Demario Minter, Babatunde Oshinowo, Lawrence Vickers, and Justin Hamilton as the Browns’ 2006 draft signees thus far. Wimbley said after being drafted that he wanted to be in camp on time and he sure didn’t lie. Great job by Savage and the rest of the Browns’ negotiating staff. Rookies report to camp Sunday and the full-squad training camp begins Wednesday, July 26.

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Sabathia once again loses grip

July 22, 2006 /

Just when you thought the Tribe’s young ace was getting back on track, physically and mentally, C.C Sabathia throws a poor game and gets tossed. After his June 22 start against the Cubs when he admitted quitting and losing focus, Sabathia really started to pitch with a newfound purpose. He apologized to his team and the fans and moved on. Owning up to your mistakes is part of what a leader should do and Sabathia made a step in that direction.

Then came Friday’s game. He got himself into a similar situation and once again lost control. He wasn’t getting any help behind him and the eight-run inning should have never even happened if it weren’t for Boone’s and Martinez’s miscues. However, Sabathia was all over the map and it was apparent that the errors were affecting him. He failed to bear down and throw strikes. As an ace of a pitching staff, when things are going south, you have to be the stopper. Sabathia let his emotions get the best of him Friday, something that has happened all too often during his Indian career.

Sure he’s only 26, but he’s been in the league long enough now to know how the game works and what it takes. The huge inning was not all Sabathia’s fault by any means but may not have reached the point it did if C.C would have kept his composure. He lost control of the situation and as an ace, that cannot happen. If Sabathia really wants to be a leader on this team, scenes like what happened against the Twins need to stop occurring.

Cleveland Indians

Ugly fourth destroys Tribe

July 21, 2006 /

C.C Sabathia has seen this before. Back in June in a game against the Cubs, Sabathia was on the mound when Chicago put up an eight-run third inning. Sabathia must have felt some sense of deja vu Friday night, as the Twins scored eight in the fourth inning to romp the Tribe 14-6 at the Jake. Because of an Aaron Boone error, only three of the eight runs given up by Sabathia were earned. Boone bobbled a grounder with the bases loaded, allowing everyone to move up a base. Then on a line drive to Casey Blake, Victor Martinez couldn’t hold on to the ball as a runner was tagging up from third. Sabathia, who only lasted only 3 2/3 innings, was by no means sharp. He walked four, including one with the bases loaded, and hit a batter. As he was being yanked by Eric Wedge in the fourth, C.C had some words for the home plate umpire and was ejected on his way to the dugout. Some birthday for Sabathia.

“I tried to keep my emotions in check,” Sabathia said. “But it just boiled over.”

The Tribe fought back and temporarily made a game of it when they closed the Twin lead to three in the fifth. Minnesota, who pounded out 18 hits to the Tribe’s 16, quickly pulled away in the following inning and put the game to rest.

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2006 Browns Preview: Offense

July 21, 2006 /

Quarterback: Charlie Frye enters the season as the clear cut starter after veteran Trent Dilfer left town to San Francisco via trade. The Browns haven’t exactly been a model for consistency as far as quarterbacks go. In the past five seasons, Cleveland has had four different QBs start a season (Tim Couch, Kelly Holcomb, Jeff Garcia, Trent Dilfer). The organization is hoping this one sticks around for a long time. With Dilfer departed and no veteran backup, the Browns are hoping Frye develops and has the same kind of success that all the other MAC quarterbacks have enjoyed recently. Frye has spent the off-season not only building his body for a full 16-game NFL season, but preparing himself mentally to be the leader of the offense. Though he doesn’t have the strongest arm in the world, Charlie possesses quick feet and seems to have a real desire and determination to win and help the team.

Running Back: Reuben Droughns gave the Browns and their fans something they hadn’t seen in twenty years, a 1,000-yard rusher. The Browns had been starving for such a back since Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack both accomplished the feat way back in 1985. Droughns delighted the Cleveland fans with his lunch pale, blue-collar mentality and running style. Signed to a new three-year contract in the off-season, Droughns is the starter and will once again be running behind fullback Terrelle Smith. Some believed Rueben tired towards the end of the 2005 season so the Browns used one of their draft picks to give them some depth at the running back position. Jerome Harrison, drafted out of Washington State, rushed for over 1,900 yards last season and is very much a scat back. Harrison is extremely quick and will serve as a change of pace to the bruiser that is Droughns. Last but not least, William Green and Lee Suggs are still on the roster and hope to contribute in some capacity.

Offensive Line: One of the biggest improvements Phil Savage and the Browns made in the off-season was bolstering the O-line. Browns fans have seen patchwork offensive lines and sub-par performances by that position ever since the Browns came back into the league in 1999. The organization is finally making steps to strengthen the line. They added Joe Andruzzi and Cosey Coleman last season and have brought in two more hard-nosed players in LeCharles Bentley and Kevin Schaffer. Bentley (Ignatius boy!) is a homegrown talent and two-time Pro-Bowler who many consider one of the best centers in the NFL. Ryan Tucker returns to round out a solid offensive line. Part of winning football games is winning the battle in the trenches and the Browns are building a line with tough-minded, strong, and fierce competitors. Every starter on the line holds at least five years of NFL experience. If this position has a weakness, it would be with their depth. With the exception of nine-year veteran center/guard Bob Hallen, the Browns are rather inexperienced when it comes to their reserves.

Wide Receiver/Tight End: Another fellow Clevelander will make his return to play for his hometown team. Joe Jurevicius, signed from Seattle in the off-season, will open the season as the Browns’ number one wideout in front of Dennis Northcutt. With Braylon Edwards not expected to return from his ACL injury until around Week 6, it’ll be up to Jurevicius and company to pick up the slack. After Northcutt, numerous receivers will compete during camp for the third receiver spot. Those include Frisman Jackson, Joshua Cribbs, Brandon Rideau, and third-round pick Travis Wilson. Kellen Winslow II, almost completely healed from his motorcycle accident, should be able to shoulder some of the load until Edwards returns. Opposite K2 will be tight end Steve Heiden, who had one of his best years as a pro last season for the Browns. Question marks remain for the receiving corps. Will a healthy Winslow stay that way and be the same player we saw at Miami? How will Edwards bounce back from his knee injury once he returns? However, nobody doubts this group’s talent and Browns fans can’t wait to see Winslow and Edwards healthy and on the field together.

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