Saturday, March 3, 2012
Just In From the Desert
Right off the bat (nyuk, nyuk), let's agree on what, barring further injury, we know -
Catcher: Carlos Santana
First Base: Casey Kotchman
Second Base: Jason Kipnis
Shortstop: Asdrubal Cabrera
Centerfield (or, possibly but unlikely, leftfield): Michael Brantley
Rightfield: Shin-Soo Choo
Designated Hitter: Travis Hafner
Backup Catcher: Lou Marson
#1 Starter: Justin Masterson
#2 Starter: Ubaldo Jimenez
Starter: Josh Tomlin
Starter: Derek Lowe
Closer (until Chris Perez is healthy): Vinnie Pestano
Bullpen: Joe Smith
Bullpen: Tony Sipp
Bullpen: Rafael Perez
Additionally, there are a few more spots that are penciled in, though aberrant circumstances might alter them.
Utility Infield: Jason Donald
OF/1B: Shelley Duncan
Bullpen: Frank Herrmann
That leaves a great many question marks to be settled on the field during the next month of exhibition games. Here's the setup -
Starting 3B: Jack Hannahan vs Lonnie Chisenhall
Starting LF/CF: Shelley Duncan vs Matt LaPorta vs Felix Pie vs The World
Backup OF: Loser of above vs Fred Lewis vs Ryan Spilborghs vs Russ Canzler vs Aaron Cunningham
Last Spot On the Bench: Ervrybody (Add Jose Lopez, Andy LaRoche, Cristian Guzman)
5th Starter: Kevin Slowey vs Jeanmar Gomez vs David Huff vs Zach McAllister vs Scott Barnes
2 bullpen spots (1 if CP is ready for Opening Day): Dan Wheeler vs Nick Hagadone vs Jeremy Accardo vs Chris Ray vs Robinson Tejada vs Hector Ambriz
On to today's contest (they tied the Reds 6-6)-
Hot Corner: Lonnie Chisenhall (.500) got off to a quick start with an RBI single in the second.
Left of Center: Yeah, exactly none of these guys scratched out even a single measly hit, going a combined 0-for-4.
#5: David Huff got the start and tossed two scoreless innings (3 H, K), benefitting from a line drive twin killing that erased Brandon Phillips 1st inning double.
The 'Pen: Yeah, those abberant circumstances. Frank Herrmann allowed four runs on five hits in the fourth, struggling against left handers in particular. He surrendered a pair of doubles and one of his three outs came when Devin Mesoraco tried to take second after bringing in the fourth run. He did fan Dioner Navarro to close the frame, but the damage was done. This was exactly the kind of disastrous outing that could cancel out the tenuous hold Frank has on a bullpen spot. Robinson Tejada (9.00) took the loss after allowing a long home run by Reds prospect Neftali Soto in the 5th, Jeremy Accardo pitched a perfect 6th and, despite a two out single, Nick Hagadone kept the ball over the plate on his way to a clean 7th.
The Bench: Former all-star and utility candidate Jose Lopez (1.000) banged out a doubled and singled as part of a 9th inning rally. Fred Lewis drew a walk to ignite said rally and, though hitless, Ryan Spilborghs did get the assist on Mesoraco.
The Tribe takes on the Reds again tomorrow @ 3:05p.
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