Suicide Squeeze - AL Rookie Of the Year ('92 Upper Deck)

Libya Is My Favorite Part Of A Lady

President Obama Can't Pronounce Libya - watch more funny videos

Is it dubbed?  Does it matter?

Just In From the Cold

I thought that I would be the last to tee-off on this one, but there has been absolutely no coverage of the Indians/Clippers exhibition game that lasted just 2 and a half innings today.

Before we go any further, here is a box score from the game.  You will not find it anywhere else.

CLE at COL - Hutington Park
Mar 30, 2011	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cleveland Indians ()	0	1	0							1	3	0
Columbus Clippers ()	0	1								1	4	0
W: None L: None S: None

Scoring Summary
SCORING DETAILS			CLE	COL
	2	Matt LaPorta doubled to left field. Jack Hannahan walked, LaPorta to second. Adam Everett out at first on sacrifice bunt, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to second baseman Jason Kipnis, Laporta to third, Hannahan to second. Michael Brantley grounded to second, LaPorta scored. Orlando Cabrera struck out swinging.	1	0
COL	2	Jason Kipnis singled to center. Jason Kipnis stole second. Wes Hodges struck out looking. Luis Valbuena walked. Jared Head flew out to right. Luke Carlin singled to right off of pitcher Zach McAllister's glove, Kipnis scoed, Valbuena to second. Ezequiel Carrera walked, Valbuena to thrid, Carlin to second. Cord Phelps struck out looking.	1	1

Cleveland Indians
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Brantley, CF	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	.263
O Cabrera, 2B	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.364
Choo, RF	2	0	1	0	0	1	0	.322
Santana, C	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	.300
Hafner, DH	1	0	1	0	1	0	0	.304
Kearns, LF	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.295
LaPorta, 1B	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	.153
Hannahan, 3B	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.340
Everett, SS	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.267
BATTING: 2B: LaPorta, Hafner SAC: Everett

Columbus Clippers
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Carrera, CF	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	.286
Phelps, DH	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.217
Chisenhall, 3B	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.500
Brown, RF	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.222
Kipnis, 2B	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	.167
Hodges, 1B	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.---
Valbuena, SS	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.260
Head, LF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.071
Carlin, C	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	.143
BATTING: 2B: Chisenhall
BASERUNNING: SB: Kipnis

Cleveland Indians
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
McAllister	2	4	1	1	2	2	0	4.50
PITCHING: Pitches-Strikes: McAllister 48-28

Columbus Clippers
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Huff	3	3	1	1	3	3	0	5.82
PITCHING: Pitches-Strikes: Huff 60-38

Today's game, of course, does not count. It was basically an intra-squad scrimmage to begin with, so it likely wouldn't have been aggregated into the spring stats regardless. Anyway, the averages and ERAs indicate spring totals from Arizona.

Onto my own subjective experience. The game started at 1:05p with gates opening at 11a. I arrived at the park around 10:30a and watched the Clippers take BP through the fence in right field. In case you are unfamiliar, there are wide gauge metal screens built into the right field wall of Huntington Park. One can stand on the street and watch any game for free from that vantage. Awesome. I was able to chase down a couple of BP HR balls, one from the Chiz Kid (which I kept) and a second that I gifted to a wee lad. If I was not the first to arrive at the park, I was one of a select few. I was probably also the first in, but I'll stop tooting my own horn. I spent the next two hours in a generally fruitless autograph hunt (got Santos, Durbin, Everett and Asdrubal).

Over that span of time the Tribe warmed up and took BP. Most of this went as expected. Carlos Carrasco threw a bullpen session directly in front of the throng of us lingering near the end of the visitor's dugout. The one salient observation that I can make is that Travis Buck absolutely raked the ball.  Each and every ball sang off of his bat like a Hi-C. I cannot wait to see if the guy is for real.  The only other guy to stroke similarly was Chisenhall during the Clip's session.

The game itself was an unmitigated disaster. While it was neat to see the Indians play themselves and the idea of letting the winning team take on the ChiSox on opening day is good for a dark larf, the timing of the game could not have been worse. The five hours of bad weather (about 1-6p) completely surrounded the game. Yesterday was crisp and cool and this evening, despite the chill, was calm and clear.  Bummer.


Evaluating performance on a day like this is nearly impossible. Both pitchers, predictably, had difficulty throwing strikes due to weather. Jordan Brown had an adventure tracking down a fly ball to the track in right. Orlando Cabrera looked slick at second, though he refused to engage the fans much at all. The highlights came off the bats of Chisenhall and Travis Hafner as they each stung doubles. Chiz's laced over the head of Michael Brantley in center while Pronk's clanged loudly off of the top of the right-centerfield wall. Pronk pulled the ball! Pronk pulled the ball! And with authority. How glorious would it be if this was a sign of things to come. We're all excited enough about Chisenhall, so I'll leave that one alone.

The event, the spectacle of the day, was wonderful. Watching Manning and Underwood do the pregame 20 feet away, screaming for signatures (Choo only signed for Koreans), scoping the suits in their overcoats and digging the vibe of an MLB team in the limbo between pre and regular season was both fascinating and unique. Hopefully the atmosphere and turnout will be enough to bring the game back next year, if for no other reason than to make it up to the Columbus faithful.

And a tip of the hat to Justin Masterson for his wardrobe.  Did anyone know that he was born in Jamaica?

  

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 03.31.11 - Morena Baccarin

Always looks good and often plays a psycho or a who-er.

No Pain, eh, No Free Bat?

Don't the dudes on the far right seem just a touch too amused?

Consolation Prizes

So, the Cavs beat the Heat tonight 102-90.  There's no Heat in Cleveland in March.  The Witless, the Victim, Queen James missed a three that he had a chance to take two dribbles before because he was so wide open.  Dan Gilbert smiled and the crowd stood and cheered.  But, really, who gives a damn?  I'm not going to go on a rant about how the Cavaliers' meaningless victories somehow throw the cosmic scale out of whack to the point that only a Buckeyes loss can balance it, but...

February 11 - Cavaliers 126, Clippers 119 (ends 26 game losing streak)
February 12 - Wisconsin 71, OSU 67 (next Buckeyes game, 1st loss)

February 16 - Cavaliers 104, Lakers 99
February 20 - Purdue 76, OSU 63 (next Buckeyes game)

March 25 - Cavaliers 97, Pistons 91
March 25... I'm still not calm enough to type it, but you know what happened.

In a Cavs season that has become more about securing ping pong probability than victories, I certainly could have done without those three wins.  In fact, I could have done without all of them, including tonight's, if it had meant a national championship for the Bucks.

I never expected this Buckeyes team to be felled by coaching ineptitude.  Over the course of the season, I spent hours dissecting their game on the floor, nitpicking the scenarios that could ruin the story.  In the end, Matta just couldn't get his head out of his ass both throughout the game (leaving Lauderdale on the bench) and in crunch time (for the love of god, call timeout as soon as Buford touches the ball).  If the players had lost the game, if the seniors had put up their best fight and simply come up short, I could have made peace with the outcome.  Instead, I am left with a dense pit in my stomach and a desire to punch a certain gum-chawing spin doctor right in the mouth.

The real parting gift is the Final Four that we have been given.  #11 VCU tying for the lowest seed ever to reach the Nationals (as an aside my sister went to college with Shaka Smart, weird), the four teams combining for 37 losses (also tying a record), a guarantee of either an 8 or an 11 in the final, all of the #1s long gone and still the most electric player in the country (Kemba Walker) still on the floor.  If this had been any other season, I would be dancing in the streets in celebration of these Cinderellas.  As it stands, I am deep in mourning and will have to build a little momentum going into Saturday to give the games the attention that they deserve.


Thank goodness that the Indians open on Friday.  And come to me tomorrow.  Hope springs eternal.  Let's go Tribe.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 03.30.11 - Maggie Grace

Ah, to be her step-brother and get Lost with her.

Suicide Squeeze - Veteran Hitters ('92 Upper Deck)

Come One Come All

The Tribe broke camp today, following an early tilt against the Reds and will be in Columbus tomorrow to play an exhibition game against the Clippers. While the Indians roster was finalized yesterday, the Clippers' is still very much up in the air. While some (IPI) speculate that minor league rosters could be completed as early as the coming weekend, Columbus does not start its schedule for another ten days or so.  Thus the makeup of the Clip's rosters is mostly a mystery.

David Huff will start for the AAA squad and is pencilled in to be the #1 starter, followed by Jeanmar Gomez, Alex White, Zach McAllister and Joe Martinez. Corey Kluber was intended to be the #5, but he was hit in the head last week with a line drive and has not yet been cleared to return.

McAllister will get the start for the Cleveland team, despite never pitching in a major league game and not making a strong push this spring.  Zach's start is a troubling bit of news that is hopefully not indicative of the team that Manny Acta will field tomorrow.  I have been, for months, looking forward to a true showing by the (sort of) MLB team.  If Choo, the Cabreras, etc as aren't around, I will be quite put out.

Justin Masterson (5.40 ERA) continued a string of solid finales by the Indians' starting rotation by going five yeoman innings.  Masterson gave up 2 earned (3 total) on 6 hits and a walk, while fanning six.  Like all of the Tribe's starters, he was inconsistent over his 6 starts and one would hope this to be an effect of Arizona winds and an exhibition mindset.  If the rotation throws as it did in March over the course of the full season, I would take the under on Vegas' win-line of 72.

Matt LaPorta was 0-for-3 with a strikeout to drop his average to .153.  There is no more to be said or speculated about Matty, he simply has to show up on the field this season or accept that he's not a major league baseball player. 

Shin-Soo Choo (.322) went deep twice with his solo shots accounting for 2 of the Indians' 3 runs. 

Rafael Perez (6.75) was smoked for four earned in a third of an inning.  Get it out of your system now Raef.  On the flip side, Jess Todd, ticketed to Columbus (and maybe off of the 40-man?) tossed 2 clean innings to lower his spring ERA to 0.93.  Certainly not the type of performer that we want on the lake.

To underscore a point made yesterday, after Jack Hannahan (ugh) was lifted in the 7th, Matt Lawson entered to play 3rd.  This is the same substitution that has been made every day since Cord Phelps was demoted last week.  I'll make this as clear as I can for you.  The Indians.  Do.  Not.  Have.  A backup third baseman.  Get it?

Tomorrow, the gates of beautiful Huntington Park open at 11a, 2+ hours prior to the 1:05p first pitch.  Fans (like me) who choose to brave the chill will be treated to the full MLB batting practice session and a unique opportunity to see the Tribe up close.  Hopefully the players all show and the cold keeps the fickle away.

Cheers.

Nix Nixed

Jayson Nix has been traded to the Blue Jays for "cash considerations."  Good GD riddance.  I NEVER have to think or talk about that scrub again.  The move opens up the second of four spot son the 40-man roster that the Tribe needs to add NRIs before Friday's opener.

Pretty Girl 03.29.11 - Liz Phair

Hells yeah, just give me Liz, 22 minutes and a bottle of baby oil.

Just In From the Desert

Final Roster Announced

Backup Backstop - Lou Marson (.143)

Utility IF - Adam Everett (.293)

Bullpen Men - Frank Herrmann (1.69 ERA), Justin Germano (0.00), Vinnie Pestano (1.13)

Officially Jess Todd (1.17) and Luis Valbuena (.260) were optioned to AAA with Luke Carlin (.150) and Paul Phillips (.414)  re-assigned to the minor league camp.  Chad Huffman (.333), Jayson Nix (.176), and Jordan Brown (.222) are still technically on the roster, but have been informed that they will be removed by opening day.  The Tribe is actively seeking a trade partner for Nix.  Regardless of whether he is traded or DFAed, he will be removed from the 40-man roster.  Also, Trevor Crowe may very well begin the season on the 60-day DL, players on which do not count towards the 40-man.  Even so the Indians need to add four players to the active roster by Friday (Jack Hannahan (ugh), Travis Buck, Germano and Everett) so another transaction will be forthcoming.  No hints yet on who that might involve.

Frankly, the bullpen doesn't surprise me.  Germano didn't surrender a run all spring.  He made the decision for the organization.  Jess Todd will be the first reliever up when they need one and, of course, they will.  On the other hand, I'm a bit taken aback by the selection of Lou Marson as the #2 catcher.  Paul Phillips hit very well this spring and one would think that Marson and the Indians would both be better served if the young man was getting every day PT.  Manny Acta must feel that the time that Carlos Santana will spend at first base and DH opens up enough ABs for Lou-Lou (that's his nickname, not kidding).  The number that qualifies as "enough" was considerably lower after the Tribe chose to add 4 NRIs for the opener.  The choice of Adam Everett shocks me (literally!) to the core.  Behind Hannahan the Tribe's roster has exactly one and one third innings of MLB experience at the hot corner (AzCab).  Actually, Travis Hafner (47 games) and Carlos Santana (58) lead the pack in minor league 3B appearances with only Asdrubal Cabrera (11) and Austin Kearns (2) supplementing with any reps at all.  So, Asdrubal is the second option at third?  Behind a dude who hit .230 at AAA last year?  An odd choice.

Pestano snagged his second save on the spring on Monday.  Chris Perez (3.00) gave up an RBI double, walked two, hit another and wild pitched in a second run.  With 2 on and 2 out, Vinnie rushed in and promptly hit the first guy he faced to load the bases.  Vin rebounded though and K'ed Reed Johnson on four pitches to slam the door.  I can dig it.

Despite a single to drive in his 11th run of the spring, Matt LaPorta is hitting a meek .161 with the slump showing no signs of dissipating.  Right now I am actually thinking about who the next option at first is.  Probably Shelley Duncan, but LaPorta would likely have to flounder through 60 games or so before the brain trust would consider a change.

Grady Sizemore (.100) went 0-for-3, though he did walk twice.  The best news is that Grady stole second base in the 6th, his first of March.  It sort of made up for a 3rd inning CS.

Carlos Carrasco (5.96) was just as brilliant in his final spring start.  Over 6 strong innings Carrasco allowed just two singles and a solo homer.  Carlos struck out five and did not walk a batter.  Good news for our new #3 starter.  Also, Germano and Herrmann each tossed a clean inning.

Fausto Carmona (3.72) was just as good on Sunday.  Fausto threw 5 quality frames giving up just an unearned run on five hits and a walk while striking out 3.  The rising ace is in fine form and ready for Friday and the White Sox.

Josh Tomlin (4.15) was not so successful on Saturday night as he was touched up for 8 hits (including 2 bombs) en route to allowing 5 earned over 5 innings.  I am not concerned.  Tomlin had been as close to perfect as anyone could ask and simply needed to get stretched out against major league hitters.  Homers from Shin-Soo Choo (.304) and Santana (.300), along with Sizemore's first spring hit, were not enough to overcome the deficit.

One more with the Reds on Tuesday, Justin Masterson will take the hill for the Wahoos.

Flick to Click: Daydream Nation

Opening May 6.

Pretty Girl 03.28.11 - Madeline Zima

Um, this is the little girl from The Nanny.  I feel old.

Pretty Girl 03.27.11 - Kiele Sanchez

Mmmm, sultry.  All I can think about is sweat.

Just In From the Desert

Holy Schinkes!  14 hits?  Acta left Mitch Talbot in to give up 7 runs on 14 hits.  Manny must really not give a crap about spring performance.  I understand stretching your starter out and getting work in, but really?  Talbot (8.61 ERA) pitched effectively through 5 innings, scattering 7 hits and allowing 2 runs.  Then, the wheels came screaming off of the axles.  7 of the first 8 hitters reached in the 6th, sandwiched around a Carlos Gomez slam and still Talbot lingered on the mound.  One would hope that this latest start is not indicative of future regular season performance, but Mitch's spring efforts are certainly cause for some concern.  Acta seems to agree as he announced yesterday that Talbot would slot as the #5 man in the rotation behind Fausto Carmona, Justin Masterson, Carlos Carrasco and Josh Tomlin.

Travis Hafner homered!  After a power outage that had reached 51 plate appearances, Pronk launched a solo shot to dead center in the 8th.  This is heartening news to those of us who are wary of Hafner's recent Duane Kuiper impression.  Penciled in as the #5 hitter, Travis will need to show more pop if he hopes to remain there for the duration.

Utility IF Battle:  After an 0-for-1 day, Cord Phelps (.217) was reassigned to the minor league camp and is out of contention.  With Jack Hannahan (.386) officially earning the starting nod at third; Jayson Nix, Luis Valbuena, & Adam Everett are vying for the utility job.  Everett (.324) has made a strong push with the bat and, if the sidebar is to believed, needs to be in the field for the Indians.  He is, however, a long shot.  I feel that Luis Valbuena (.239, 1-4, RBI, played 3B & SS) is a much better choice than Jayson Nix (.167), but, then again, I'm not paid for my opinion.

Backup Backstop:  No one did themselves any favors against the Brewers and I still consider Paul Phillps (.407, 0-1, K) to be the leader.  Lou Marson (.143) was 0-for-3 with a strikeout and would benefit from more AAA at bats.  The Tribe will likely carry all three #2s through the Wednesday exhibition game against Columbus and then leave two of them there.

Who's Hot:  Asdrubal Cabrera (.409, 1.185 OPS, 4 SB, 6 RBI) has not stopped hitting all spring.

Who's Not:  Talbot has allowed 47 baserunners in 23 innings over his 6 starts.

Josh Tomlin takes the rubber 03.26 @ 10:05p.

Spot On

If you've never been to Parma, this is exactly what it's like.

Pretty Girl 03.26.11 - Jennifer Aniston

So hot, you never really notice that she can't act.

Just In From the Desert

A hearty congratulations to Josh Tomlin.  The Tribe has optioned David Huff and Jeanmar Gomez to Columbus and Tomlin has officially made the team as a starting pitcher.  I like the language on that.  The direct implication is that Josh still has the ability move up from the #5 spot based on performance.  Nice.

The official cuts also included the reassignment of Anthony Reyes and Doug Mathis to the minor league camp.  Additionally, Chad Huffman and Jordan Brown were told "that they probably wouldn't make the team."

As I correctly predicted Travis Buck is your 4th outfielder and Shelley Duncan is your last bat off of the bench.  Buck has certainly produced this spring, so get ready for him challenge Austin Kearns for PT in left.  Chris Antonetti also announced that Jack Hannahan has made the club, although he has not yet been tagged as the starting third baseman.  Orlando Cabrera, however, was anointed by Antonetti as the opening day man at second.

As expected no announcement was made regarding the #2 catcher position, the final three slots in the bullpen or the utility infield spot.  My pleas regarding Hannahan fell on deaf ears.  I can only hope that the logic in cutting Jayson Nix crystallizes for the brain trust.

Cheers.

Why Ask Why?

What are porn bots?

Pretty Girl Update! - Lyndsy Fonseca

Keep 'em comin' Lyndsy and buy yourself a vowel.

Just In From the Desert

Just when I everyone thought that the 5th starter race was tied up with a nice pretty bow, the Tribe went and played a night game.  According to Adam Sandler "the night time is the right time."  Well, that sure was true for David Huff and Jeanmar Gomez in Arizona.  Each pitcher had produced some noticeably shoddy work over the course of spring training, but the exact opposite was true against the Giants tonight.  Huff (5.82 ERA) started with 3 and 2/3 hitless and shut out San Fran (3 H, 1 BB, 2 K) over five innings.  Gomez (5.50) relieved and threw 4 quality innings allowing just a solo home run (3 H, 1 BB) while striking out six.  Manny Acta has been clear that he will name the #5 this week.  It will be interesting to see if he holds to it and hands the job to Josh Tomlin (1.13) or if he vacillates until Tomlin gets another start.  IPI noted yesterday that 13 of Tomlin's 21 spring innings have been in minor league games while Huff and Gomez have pitched exclusively for the major league team.  The relevance of this, or lack thereof, should become obvious tomorrow.

Carlos Santana (.286) hit in the leadoff spot for the second time today, but, please, don't get any ideas.  The rationale is to get Santana more at bats early in a few spring games to ensure that he gets his timing down after knee surgery.  Carlos is locked into the cleanup spot for the long haul.

Backup Backstop:  Written off for dead, Luke Carlin (.158) has risen from the ashes.  Carlin stroked two hits, including solo homer, today.  Acta reiterated that the #2 catcher position will not be determined until the last possible moment, so Luke will likely get a few more opportunities to showcase his skills.

Utility IF Battle:  Adam Everett (.324) singled and scored while playing both middle infield positions, but his apparent infeasibility at third makes him a long shot.  Jayson Nix (.167) singled and walked in three trips, but he, too, is no third baseman and has struggled with the bat.  Cord Phelps (.227) was 0-for-1 and is running out of opportunities to steal the job.  The front runner is still Luis Valbuena (.238).

Lucky 13:  Yeah, Chad Huffman (.361) does not have a great chance to break camp with the team, though he sure is doing his best to make the decision difficult.  Huffman smacked his 5th double and third dinger of the spring while driving in four to bring his tally to 11.  If Chad does indeed get cut, he will be at the top of the list should a bat be needed from AAA.  Shelley Duncan (.270) struck out in his only AB, but remains my favorite for the final bench spot.

Who's Hot:  It pains me to say so, but Jack Hannahan (ugh) was 3-for-4 with a run scored and is batting a crisp .386.

Who's Not:  Twitter's own Gator4God (Matt LaPorta) was 0-for-3 with a K and is down to .163.  At this point, I am concerned.

Mitch Talbot gets the nod on 03.25.

I feel as if I haven't really said much in this piece, so I will say this - Manny Acta has repeatedly stated that the only concern in his roster evaluation.  If the Tribe breaks camp with Nix on the roster, then Acta's word is worthless.  The only rational explanation for carrying what can only be called as a "second second baseman" is that he is out of options and Luis Valbuena is not.  Folks, I know it's a business, but call a spade a spade.  If it is a business call then just be forthright and transparent.  We certainly pay enough for it.

Cheers.

Flick to Click: Suck

Go find it on DVD, ya hoser.

Pretty Girl 03.25.11 - Jessica Pare

Perhaps the hottest woman ever to sport a huge gap between her front teeth. See the next post to dig her in a wicked cool canuck comedy.

Suicide Squeeze - Mo' Rays Yo ('92 Upper Deck)

And You Though That They Were Great Before

Great Moments in History with Gus Johnson from Gus Johnson

Now, if only Gus could guest commentate my life...

Magic Puck Theory

I don't go in much for the boys on skates.  Honestly, I just don't have the time, but this, my friends, defies every physical law that I have ever been taught.



And while we're here, dig the girl with the titanium neck. It's not funny, but it too boggles the mind.



Cheers ;-j

Pretty Girl 03.24.11 - Sasha Cohen

So much better without the Baron.  I mean, look what she can do...

Just In From the Desert

So, I'm kinda worried about Pronk.  Travis had a 2 run single and a walk today and is hitting an eye catching .326.  His OPS, while not stellar, is a respectable .790.  So what's the problem?  In 48 plate appearances Hafner has exactly 3 extra base hits, all of them doubles.  That's an XBH once every 16 PAs.  At his best, in 2006, Pronk raked 74 extra base hits in 563 plate appearances or one every 7.6 plate appearances.  By last season that had dropped to one out of every 11.  Remember Pronkville?  The seats in the right field mezzanine?  Named because Travis yanked the ball into them so often?  Yeah, I barely do either.  Now, Hafner flairs balls into left and dinks doubles into the gaps.  Although Manny Acta maintains that the Indians will utilize any number of players as the designated hitter, Travis Hafner is the closest thing to a starter that we have.  16 plate appearances for every extra base hit is, without a doubt, unacceptable.  If Pronk can't do better, significantly better, then he simply has to go.

The real meat of the order continued its tear at the plate.  Shin-Soo Choo (.311) went 3-for-4 including a double, a walk, two runs scored and another pair driven in.  Choo is hitting .450 over the past week.  Carlos Santana (.308) singled, tripled, walked, stole a base and scored a run.  Santana played another solid game at first base and seems to be more than comfortable enough to hold the fort occaisionally.

Carlos Carrasco (7.36 ERA) turned in another stinker of a start.  Carrasco cruised through 4 innings and then exploded (literally!) in the 5th.  His final line featured 6 earned on 9 hits, 2 walks and 2 dongs over four and a third.  Yeesh.  Still spring training.  Still spring training.  Still spring training.

Backup Backstop: Lou Marson (.160) was 0-for-3 with 2 Ks.  Paul Phillips (.423): hit, run, RBI.  I don't have a question here.

Utility IF Battle: Luis Valbuena (.238) singled, double and scored.  Cord Phelps (.238) tripled home the game winner.  I need a really big boot to kick Jayson Nix out the door with.  Oh, wait, I have two.

Bullpen Men:  Doug Mathis (2.89) did little to elevate himself from the bottom of the heap.  Although he danced in and out of trouble for 2 innings and kept the team in the game, he walked 4 over that span.  He's totaled 10 in 9.1 innings for the spring, not the kind of numbers the brass wants to see.

Who's Hot: Ezequiel Carrera (.434 OBP, .915 OPS, 4 SB).  Hope we give this kid a chance.

Who's Not: Luke Calin (.067) has all but eliminated himself from the backup catcher race.

David Huff starts on 03.24 with Jeanmar Gomez to follow.  Their hopes are dim.

Literally... What A Pack Of Losers

I do not like to dwell on the negative but neither can I ignore it.  My OU Bobcats were taken down in the CollegeInsider.com quarterfinals by ETSU, 82-73 .  Despite mounting a furious second half comeback and finally taking a 71-70 lead with about 2 minutes to play, the 'Cats were unable to stop the Bucs or find quality shots themselves, leading to a 6-0 East Tennessee run.  Bah.  There is always next year Ohio seems poised to continue its winning ways.  Guards DJ Cooper and Nick Kellogg and forwards Ivo Baltic and Reggie Keleey all return.  This core will be joined by 6'10" sophomore Ethan Jacobs and Ohio State transfer Walter Offutt.  Maybe next year I'll pay attention through the entire season.

To make matters worse, Kent State was knocked out of the NIT by heavily favored Colorado.  The Flashes let a back and forth game get away from them in the final minutes, losing 81-74.   Five of Geno Ford's top six scores return from a team than won 25 times and fell one game short of a visit to MSG.  They might be worth watching as well.

Cheers.