Results tagged ‘ Eric Wedge ’
A tale of two games. One rocky, the other smooth
The Cleveland Indians enter the second weekend of Spring Training games and first Saturday of action with a record of 3-3. What does the last two games tell us in particular about the 2011 Cleveland Indians?
The game vs. Texas. 3/5/2011
1. NOT ONE PUNCHOUT The former closer did not strike us out one time. Neftali Perez pitched two innings against us. Sure he did not give up a run, nor a hit but he walked us once and NEVER punched us out.
2. PATIENCE IS THE KEY! In fact against the pitchers chosen to face us this day, the Indians as a team drew 11 walks against Texas while only being struck out 4 times. Now if only we could create some consistency.
3. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY!.The Indians were able to not let the deficits keep them down. They were 5-18 with runners in scoring position .278 batting average and even allowed some of the 11 walks to help us recapture the lead at one point in the game. Matt LaPorta came up with the big blow off the bench as a pinch hitter with a grand slam off a pitcher called Hamburger. As this video shows, LaPorta can hit.
4. WE STILL LOST THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN. As John Michael Montgomery sang in Life’s a Dance. “Had sure things blow up in my face” Yes Josh Judy could not close out the game but as the lyrics later state. “Been knocked down by the slamming door
Picked myself up and came back for more.” This is indeed what Josh Judy and the Indians need to do. I can’t wait until Josh Judy gets another chance. Hang in there, kid!
Perhaps next time this will be the result as it was then.
One thing is for sure. We sure played better against the Texas Rangers than I can remember in the recent past. This is a good sign.
After a rocky finish, the Indians against the Rockies played rather smoothly. Listening to the game for most of the later afternoon reminded me of a lazy Sunday afternoon in the sunshine at Progressive Field. Luckily the Indians did not play lazily.
1. THEY CAME TO PLAY The Indians took advantage of errors early and hit their way to two runs early. They then added power to the lineup with homeruns in the 4th inning by Chad Huffman and in the 6th by Lonnie Chisenhall. In hearing Jim Rosenhaus yesterday afternoon. I sensed an aggression in his call of the game and a drive today from the Tribe that was great to hear.
2. THERE WAS NEVER THAT BIG INNING What a difference a day makes. I heard slight jams starting to form but then heard the Indians get out of it as soon as it sounded like it might form. This made the day easier to handle for Tribe fans. What a way to end the traditional work week with a win. Fausto did give up a first run for the spring but never made me sweat.
Up next is a split squad day for the Tribe. One game against the Seattle Mariners managed by Eric Wedge and the other at Goodyear against the AL Central Division rival White Sox.
It will be an interesting upcoming day just because of the history the team has had against Ozzie and with Eric Wedge. All in all, it should at least be entertaining in the first opportunities to face either manager this year.
Spring Training game #4: Not an A effort by the Tribe or others.
The joy of Spring gives people a sign of life, new beginning, a chance to start over, become better. It is this wish I hope for Miguel Cabrera, Austin Kearns and Coco Crisp. In my previous blog, I gave sincere praise to Mr. Crisp. It was shortly after I posted the entry that Mr. Crisp was the third player caught with a DUI. I just hope that these three gentlemen and others find what Spring is supposed to be about beyond the game of baseball off the field as well as on it. It is easy for me to preach because I don’t drink but I do have my addictions that are known to God alone. I fight them every day once I address them and can only address them with God’s help. Hopefully, these ballplayers can address their problems with God, family and friends to guide them also.
Also in my previous blog, I addressed the pitching and how wonderful it was so far to see pitchers go out there and put their work in rather successfully. Yesterday’s game was different. Masterson was not masterful as he he gave up 2 runs and 2 hits in 2 innings pitched. What troubled me more than this was the amount of walks that he had: 3 of them.
Jordan Bastian, the MLB.com beat reporter for the Tribe mentioned after the game on Twitter that Justin Masterson loved bowling. I responded back to him without a response that Masterson was now throwing more strikes in bowling than in baseball at this time. Well, yesterday’s performance showed it anyway.
On a positive note for the Tribe, the combination of Drew Pomerantz, Joe Smith and Vinnie Pestano pitched the following line 3 innings pitched 1 walk allowed and 5 strikeouts with no runs allowed. This is what I call relief. I really hope this attack of the strike zone can continue. Way to go so far!
DEAL WITH SEATTLE
<img class="mt-image-none" alt="marinersSlogo.jpg" src="http://mlblogsmlbtribefan.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/marinersslogo.jpg" width="124" height="136" p style
Movement off the field of play saw one of my favorite players traded away to Seattle yesterday in Aaron Laffey. Hopefully he will find an opportunity to compete for a starting role with former Indians manager Eric Wedge and former pitching coach Carl Willis reunited with Aaron. I really wish Aaron well and enjoyed meeting him briefly at Progressive Field. I really think he has potential. I just hope he does not do well against us, of course.>
In return, the Indians received Matt Lawson. Two things I thought about, when first reading the news on Twitter, was Matt Lawton and the former local food mart, Lawson’s which was bought out some time ago. However, Matt Lawson is not related to either thought.
In case, one wants to know more, Matt Lawson was one of the prospects who was received by Seattle when they traded Cliff Lee to Texas. His history has him playing 2nd base or shortstop but not at third. Hopefully, he will continue to blossom in the Indians’ farm system.
Later today, the Indians take their squad to face a split-squad Ranger squad in Surprise. I remember in their debut year in Goodyear seeing the Royals there against the Tribe. It is a beautiful park. Hopefully there will be little to no surprises for the Tribe to face when playing Texas. Neftali Feliz is scheduled to get some work against Cleveland as well as Derek Holland a AAA pitcher battling for a spot in the rotation for the defending American League champions. For the Tribe, the Rangers game will be a litmus test and hopefully will be fun to see how we match up with them.
Next game against
Another blown lead…UNACCEPTABLE UNDER WEDGE!
7-0
This was the score of the game early on. The problem with this is it was too early. The Indians’ scoring stopped and the Rays did what we used to do to be successful- chip away at an opponent’s lead. Still, I watched a lot of baseball and most of the games i have seen have had 7 as a good run amount to score for a WIN! However in this case, 7 was not enough.
“We’ve got to pitch…We’ve got to command the baseball. A 9-0 lead [Thursday] becomes 9-6, and tonight it’s 7-0, and we lose the ballgame…At some point these guys have got to look in the mirror. It’s not their stuff. Their stuff is fine. You’ve got to concentrate. You can’t miss by a foot and a half. I’m sitting here watching on TV and seeing what you’re seeing. It’s ridiculous. There’s no other word for it. This is the big leagues. We’ve got to be better than that…I respect the heck out of these position players…It’s not how many times you get kicked in the face, it’s how many times you get up. And they will. But these [pitchers] have to start holding up their end of the bargain, too.” -Eric Wedge This was part of Anthony Castrovince’s wrapup report of the game.
Breaking these quotes down, one can see that the pitching has not sat well with Wedge in wins or losses. He is emotional and the only thing from getting him fired is the fact that no one is too hot in the division. I yell about concentration and focus practically every game. I said this about two weeks ago. He is just stating it now. Something has to happen. Its called WIN SERIES! Losses like last night are NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE under Wedge! If they don’t win the series against Tampa. it will be closer to saying this…
After all the final score was 8-7
Clarification: I think Willis or Hernandez or Wedge will be fired for this type of a loss. Enough is enough! However, the bullpen will continue to take the fall for now but not much longer!
White Sox series reflections
The White Sox series was a start. However, we need to continue. Currently, thanks to Choo who is a triple away from hitting the cycle, the Indians won 11-7 and I will reflect upon it later. Sorry I don’t blog as much as I’d like to. It is hard coming home from being or working at the game after working two jobs at one location and another in security at Progressive Field, and try to balance a family. However I am doing well and look forward to blog some now.
Game 1 of the White Sox series was one I watched in the comfort of my own home. What I saw was a combination of solid hitting by multiple players. (Finally, a team approach) and solid pitching by Carl Pavano. I was glad to see line drive swings rather than “trying to swing for the fences” over and over again. It was great to see a solid win. By this, I mean lots of hits, lots of runs, and solid pitching with few runs given up. Thus, a 9-2 result and a much needed win. As Melissa pointed out on Twitter on Monday, the Indians must win tonight. That is exactly what happened.
Game 2 of the series was the one I worked. I was placed in an area of the ballpark where it is hard to know what is going on in the game unless one is listening close to the call of Tom Hamilton and Mike Hegan because the location was away from the action on various monitors in the park. The only thing relaying any sign of the game is a radio speaker in the vicinity. If I was in the fan’s shoes, I would have been down in my seat screaming “Wake up out there. Let’s stop the insanity” Especially against Thome, a former Indian who we should definitely know how to handle, no excuses! Now one can see why Sowers was sent down before the game tonight when Luis Vizcaino was signed. During the game, I had a chance to talk to a co-worker close by me. We shared thoughts about who might be Wedge’s replacement. His opinion was Mike Hargrove. I thought it should be a former manager or coach whose team actually won the World Series.
After the game, I ran into Mark Shapiro. I saw his face all red, as if embarrassed scratching his head as he was walking out yet he remained professional and courteous wishing me a good night after I said “Good night, Mr. Sha-peer-oh, I mean Sha-pie-row” The rest of the way out to my car, I was embarrased for botching up his name. That is not how I wanted to make my first impression upon him. I kept asking myself, “Why can’t we win two in a row, for goodness sake?”
Game three was in the silence of the building management office I work in. It was nice to watch Gameday seeing the Indians doing well behind the power of Martinez and Garko to lead the offense and the superb pitching by Cliff Lee to help win the series over the White Sox. A series win for only the second time all year is great. We need to keep this up. It was also nice to see the rain hold off until the game was over on Weather Education Day sponsored by WKYC Channel 3.
Eric Wedge speech a success for one game as Indians win 5-4 over KC
I read about the Indians’ Eric Wedge addressing the team after the Indians dropped another 9-3 to the Royals. I myself was looking like this.
For those that suffer like this, it is no laughing matter. I changed my attitude quickly, snapped out of it and wanted to take a positive approach. They needed to focus on today only and play like a champion. I had to cheer like a champion.
Eric Wedge addressed the team. He said the team had to improve in three areas. They had to get better starting pitching. Today’s result. Enter Aaron Laffey.
His line score read IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Laffey 5.1 3 2 2 3 5 0 3.38
Starting pitching better after one game 
Next Eric said that the Indians would have to get better defensively to help the starting pitching. Today’s result: enter Grady Sizemore.
He and the rest of the team had great defense and zero errors to help Aaron’s effort stand up.
Defense helps starting pitching after one game
Finally, Eric said the team had to do better with runners in scoring position.
Today’s result: enter Mark De Rosa.
Should it be Aaron or Zach?
Yesterday Eric Wedge said to reporters “One thing people have to remember, spring training isn’t about results, it’s about getting better and progressing.”.
Well one thing that is glaring out to me are Aaron Laffey’s three starts so far, one has to wonder if he is worth the #5 spot in the rotation
Start #1
Aaron gave up 1 run but it was unearned in 2 innings of work
Start #2
Aaron gave up 4 runs, all earned in 2 innings.
Start #3
Aaron Laffey was supposed to pitch 3 innings. Instead, he gave up 3 earned runs in 1 inning.
I’m starting to wonder if this is progress, as Wedge says.
Yet in Laffey’s defense, he IS coming off elbow surgery. Just watch this video
| Cleveland Indians pitcher Aaron Laffey overcomes elbow injury to fight for a starting position on the Indians pitching staff. |
Yet one has to argue, should Jackson be given more of a chance to earn #5 status?
Reflections on day off, 3/5 against Brewers and preview against Royals and a little big league Choo!
On his day off, the 2008 Cy Young Award Winner’s life was up in the air in a F-16 Falcon. To get an idea of what this might have looked like, here’s a video.
Meanwhile Travis Hafner was taking batting practice in preparation for yesterday’s March 6th debut along with Grady Sizemore in preparation for this weekend’s action when they are scheduled to share DH duties beginning on Sunday, March 8, 2009.
Both Lee and Hafner were primed and ready to go. However, the results were not as stellar. Remember, the key is health and depth. Today is just a tuneup, not a first real lap. Everyone’s goal is to put the best 25 man roster out there and create depth for the possibility of injuries. Repetition and practice just to get in shape as well as fine tuning for April will just begin the process for Hafner and Lee. This season is going to take all 25 players working together to make this season work. Putting it all on a star player to carry us should not be the mindset for the 2009 season. It is going to take all 25 men working together. The hat may say I but the heart needs to show T-E-A-M.
Hafner went 0-2 with a strikeout and Lee gave up 2 runs in 1 inning of work. One could get discouraged. Yet with baseball being a marathon and not won on paper but in the pace of how the race is run and eventually won, one can only hope that the kinks will continue to be worked out and the lineup will reflect what will be a very competitive Cleveland Indian team on the field. All we can do is hope that tomorrow against these guys
we will win. However, our goal should be to get better so that April 6th will be a very competitive day and set us off on a good pace to the 162 game marathon. Let’s get out there and compete better, boys! Make Wedge and Willis proud!
Good luck, let’s get more focused!
Update-Choo went 1-3 with a walk and a run scored as he led Korea over Chinese Taipei 9-0. Hopefully, he will continue this great effort against Japan later this morning at 5:00 A.M.
The view from the bullpen was oh so nice!
Yesterday afternoon I found myself right by the Indians bullpen watching each scheduled pitcher warm up before going out to pitch. It was truly a sight to behold. It was also my first road game that I saw of the Tribe in my life. This was a very exciting event for me.
The game began with me observing batting practice.
Matt LaPorta’s batting practice would pay off as he would get the game’s frst hit. Batting practice as routine as it looks really tries to focus on pregame preparation. LaPorta’s stats were 1-2 with the game’s first hit.
Eric Wedge would go over pregame preparation with Brian Datz before the game began.
The pitching was outstanding. Carl Pavano gave up no runs on no hits in his work today. He started by stretching out his muscles with a stretchcord. He also performed long toss and finally pitched off the mound. Let me tell you first appearances can be deceiving but he appears to be an intense guy who really is focusing on proving the Yankees and the rest of Major League Baseball wrong.Here he was walking back to the dugout before the game after warmups..Carl ended up pitching two innings of shutout ball
Outstanding pitching prevailed as Scott Lewis came in to preserve a no-hitter and keep Oakland from scoring.Another two innings of shutout ball was thrown by him. Scott’s delivery was outstanding wth pinpoint control. It was outstanding to see how his focus was unwavering.
Rafael Perez picked up where he left off last year while also preserving the shutout. He had two innings of no hit baseball. He picked up where he left off from the previous year.
Here is an example of what happens after each spring training game when one has to run in the outfield after the pitcher has completed the amount of innings he has thrown.
Edward Mujica was the only pitcher who was afficted with any damage. I noticed that the bullpen coach Chuck Hernandez was giving him some pointers of how to get the ball lower in the strikezone mind you as he was warming up. He gave up the only run and two hits against the A’s this day.
Hector Rondon pitched well. He was one that was able to clean up the mess. I was impressed with his great composure. His stats showed one inning of shutout baseball. I hope he will have a future in the Tribe’s bullpen soon.
All in all it was a very good day to see the Tribe’s pitching almost reach perfection. Unfortunately, it did not happen. Still it was fun at the old ball game.
Motivation is the theme!
Yesterday Eric Wedge gave his state of the state address to the team as a whole. Players agreed that it was a great motivational speech. These I cannot put in some ranking like I would on http://metsmainman.mlblogs.com . Check it out!
Still, I was thinking of speeches about baseball and other things that motivate me. Prime 9, a show on the MLB Network motivated me to find some motivational speeches and song I hold dear.
Mr. Gehrig’s speech motivates me to cherish each day I am lucky to be given the opportunities and experiences I have to write blogs, share stories and live my life in Cleveland,
Ohio, USA .
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4msaZTJrTA source
This speech below helps me to have faith even though others may not see the things we see. It motivates me to never give up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDyM4CfExXU -source
Sometimes, all that is needed is a song!
Motivation takes on different forms for everyone. Let us hope that Wedge motivated his team to seize the opportunity to shine in 2009!
Health for me and the bullpen is essential.
I received a call today that I was sort of expecting that I was not exactly in the best of health. the test brought back the results I was expecting. Don’t worry readers, I will adjust my medications and diet and increase my exercise especially on this upcoming trip and be better in no time. However, to remain healthy will be a constant struggle and must be a refocus for me from now on. Luckily, I have the support and love and refound passion to make it happen! Let’s just say former Indians pitcher Jason Johnson and I share something in common. We both are Type 1 diabetics and have insulin pumps. Jason, throughout his career has been a role model for me. He now has a minor league contract with the archrival Bronx Bombers and is battling to be their fifth starter in Spring training. Its great to know that he is still an active player in the game.
For the Tribe, health is going to be a recurring issue on and off the field especially for the pitchers. Eric Wedge added on Sunday that six of the seven pitchers are set and one of the pitching spots are up for grabs. In years past, the camp seemed like an all-out patchwork job but not this year! Kerry Wood, Rafael Perez, Rafael Betancourt, Jensen Lewis, Joe Smith and Masa Kobayashi were the six pitchers mentioned whose roles were defined. Still when one sees this group, it is great to see the acquired depth the Indians have to fill in given the injury history of last year for the Tribe as well as the tendencies that some of the pitchers show from their past. This depth is also great to see concerning the rotation and their injury history.
In the off season, we signed pitchers Kerry Wood and Carl Pavano. Both these pitchers have injury-riddled pasts that make Yankee fans and Cub fans cringe. I really believe they are diamonds in the rough for our organization and can really excel but I’ll let their play speak for them. I hope they will live up to their billing
If you ask me, for some of the other pitchers like Kobayashi, the adjustment to the major leagues caused him to have some difficulty. Betancourt also had some issues to struggle with.
Joe Smith also has issues of switching leagues.
This being said, Rafael Perez and Jensen seemed to be the healthiest of the bunch.
Still it is nice to have depth and focus going into 2009 who like me want to turn things around and rise again to the top of the division and deep into the playoffs. I truly hope they do too. I look forward to seeing their progress in about a week.
Photo credits:
http://photos.cleveland.com/gallery/4501/Tribe%20spring%20training%20|%20Feb.%2015,%202009/slideshow
http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2009/02/entering_sideways_tribe_reliev.html
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/player?statsId=8067
http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3DRafael%2520Betancourt%252C%2520India
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