Pretty Girl 08.12.11 - Talulah Riley

And the British Invasion begins...  (I surrender).

A Quest Called Tribe

It was nice to see Asdrubal Cabrera step up into a leadership role.  It was nice to see Fausto Carmona settle in and give the team a chance to win.  It was nice to see AzCab and Carlos Santana crack clutch hits off of, arguably, the best pitcher in the league.  Still, something must be done about the Lonnie Chisenhall situation and I do not refer to the baserunning blunder.  I repeat, on nearly a daily basis, that his throwing motion is not sustainable at the hot corner.  The Chiz Kid was drafted as a shortstop and he continues to throw as such.  The errant toss that led to the Tigres' first run is a perfect example why he must learn a proper motion.  It is not as if he cannot throw overhand; I have seen him do so on balls behind the bag.  If Lonnie can make that throw accurately then Az does not need to chew out Santana for letting the ball go to the dugout.  If Austin Jackson does not reach on the gaff, then Carmona's head stays screwed on and, not only is the first inning run averted, but the three in the second likely disappear as well.  If Fausto limits Detroit to 2 runs, instead of 4, then the clutch hits equal a series sweep and a one game deficit.  For want of a nail...

In happier news, Anthony Reyes has been released.  Part of the 2009 opening day rotation, Reyes had pitched just 13 minor league innings since going down 8 starts in.  He had been rehabbing from a variety of injuries (including Tommy John surgery) with the AZL team and had made three successful appearances in recent weeks.  Ultimately, the organization made the decision that Anthony would have better opportunities elsewhere and cut him loose after paying him for two and a half years of recovery.

Shin Soo Choo started in right and played all nine innings for the Lake County Captains.  Choo went 0-for-4 with a K.  He did pick up an RBI, but it came on an 8th inning fielder's choice in a bases loaded, none out situation, trailing by 2 runs.  Shin Soo is hitless in eight trips for the LCC,

In case you are wondering, Michael Brantley sat for the 4th time in 7 games thanks to a sore right wrist.  He did not look healthy last night.  Matt LaPorta, on the other hand, spent a second straight game on the bench, not due to injury, but rather because he is a friggin' idiot.  Manny Acta must be as sick of it as I am.

Props to Jason Kipnis on becoming the first Indians' rookie with 5 hits, 4 runs and 3 RBI in a game.  Kip is also just the third Tribe player ever to post a five hit game within his first 16 big league contests.  Neither you, nor I, nor anyone else has ever heard of the other two.

Here's to a mistake free Friday night (and hopefully a win).

Cheers

P.s. For a some great shots of briefly tenured Indians, click here.

Nooner At the Clip Joint

Jared Goedert

So I was all geared up for Shin Soo Choo (maybe a bit too much).  Primped and primed to head to the ballpark, all I needed was some official confirmation that he would, indeed, be suiting of for the Clippers today.  After checking all of my online sources and finding a big pile of bupkis, I rang the Clips office.  The chickadee on the other end enlightened me that the front office had no knowledge of Choo coming to town.  Clinging to hope, I checked the LCC site again only to discover a large display promoting that the Tribe's right fielder would be appearing tonight at Classic Park.  Damn.

At least I did my diligence and was not forced to needlessly sit through another Columbus loss.  Jeanmar Gomez (10-5, 2.45) turned in a reasonable start (6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K) as the offense remained stagnant.  Only a fifth inning solo shot from Jared Goedert (.232) put the Clips on the board.  Goedert has been raking of late (.367, 3 HR, 9 BB in his last 10) and remains a fringe prospect in the organization.  We should no longer expect him in Cleveland, but he does provide nice depth at the corner infield positions and some solid power from the right side of the plate.  Luis Valbuena (.308) added 2 hits and a walk.

The Clippers head to Rochester tomorrow.  Up at 5:05p is the resumption of the suspended game from June 10th, followed by Zach McAllister on the hill in the regularly scheduled game.  Choo might make the trip.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Drew Pomeranz and Abner Abreu are long gone, but here are a few quick updates on the little Indians.

Toru Murata - As Murata is already 26 years old with three years of experience under his belt in the Japanese leagues, conventional wisdom would suggest that he would produce well at Kinston and so he has.  After struggling to a 5.52 ERA through mid-May and sitting out six weeks with a lat injury, Toru (1-2, 2.61) has rebounded with 16.1 scoreless innings over 10 appearances.  The organization had experimented with him as a starter, but he had now firmly cemented his position as a short man.  In seven games since returning from the DL, Murata has pitched 11 innings and allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out 14.  If there is a shuffling of relievers at the higher levels, he may see a late promotion.  Otherwise, expect him at Akron to begin 2012.

Giovanni Soto - The good news is that you did not miss anything.  The bad news is that he has been on the shelf since early June with a left (pitching) elbow injury.  Soto did throw a simulated game over the weekend and, while the organization will exercise great caution, he is likely close to returning to action.  Before landing on the disabled list, Giovanni's numbers were excellent (4-4, 3.02, .232 OBA, 9.21 K/9).  Look for the 20 year old at AA next season.

Jesus Aguilar - I was reluctant to give the big (6'3", 241) 21 year old his due until his name started swirling at the trade deadline.  In addition, his power is hard to ignore.  Aguilar's production at Lake County (.292, 19 HR, 69 RBI, .915 OPS) earned him a promotion to Kinston and a place on the radar.  Although Jesus has shown some growing pains at High-A (.205 in 44 ABs), last night brought a pair of hits including his first home run.  He still has a great deal to prove in order to become an elite prospect, but this season has certainly been an excellent start.

Anthony Gallas - While he is not truly a prospect, Gallas grew up in Strongsville and smashed 49 home run at Kent State, so we will pay attention for the time being.  His statistics for the Captains (.314, 6 HR, 21 RBI, .910 OPS) were a pleasant surprise, just as his line at Kinston has been a disappointment.  In 35 games, Anthony has batted just .203 with a .619 OPS, although he has driven in another 21.  Despite sitting out since the end of July, Gallas has earned himself a third year in the system, at the least.  Not too shabby for an undrafted free agent.

Manana, Los Capitanes.

Cheers.

I Want To Live Here

In addition to all of the noted perks, it would demand creativity in canoodling.  Nice. ;-j

Pretty Girl 08.11.11 - Amy Smart

There was a time (Road Tripish) that she was my favorite.  Great lookin' broad.

A Quest Called Tribe

Man, Ubaldo Jimenez cannot catch a break.  Last Friday, he made his Indians debut and, although he pitched (just) well enough to win, the Tribe found a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.  Tonight, U tossed a gem (8 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, BB, 6 K), earned his first AL win (in spite of Carlos Santana's gator arm) and still found himself playing second fiddle.  Let us all take a few moments (and a fresh line) to appreciate Jason Kipnis and the night that he delivered.

5-for-5, 2B, HR (6), 4 R, 3 RBI, [raised his BA from .232->.295]

Someone asked me where all of this Tribe offense came from.  Simply put, the Tigers' rotation (with the sole exception of Justin Verlander) is horrific.  Any and all success that they have had this season has been an aberration.  If the fates conspire to propel the Motor City Kitties to post-season, their exit will be quick and brutal.  You think I am kidding?  The only guy outside of JV to post an ERA of less than 4.33 or a WHIP under 1.357 this season is last night's starter, Doug Fister.  Fister, a 6'8" junkballer who cannot break 90 with his fastball, was an outstanding trade deadline pick-up for Detroit... if you are an Indians fan.  What is his career record?  13 wins, 30 losses.  Love it.  How about some OBAs?  Brad Penny: .297.  Rick Porcello: .292.  Max Scherzer has held opponents to a .272 clip, but dude has served up 19 gopher balls.  Be unafraid.  Be very unafraid.

Here's to beating Verlander so hard that he develops an immune deficiency.

Cheers.

P.s. I watched the whole thing on Tuesday, which is why I had no time to write about it. ;-j

Yes, the Clip Joint Is Still Open

Welcome back to Huntington Park.  I wish that I could report a better result.  The Clips fell hard, 8-1, to the Indianapolis Indians.

Chad Huffman, whose season average had fallen to .214 on July 30th, continued his hot hitting with a 4-for-4 effort, including a pair of doubles and the lone Columbus RBI.  Since bottoming out, Huffman (.244) is 17-for-29 (.586) with 7 doubles, 2 homers and 8 rib-eyes.

New Clipper Thomas Neal (Orlando Cabrera trade) doubled for his first extra base hit in the Indians' organization, but is just 2-for-10 in his first 3 games.

On the mound Corey Kluber continued a season that has pushed him to irrelevance.  Honestly, I do not know why I continue to write about him.  After back-to-back strong starts that resulted in a pair of wins, Kluber regressed back to mean in allowing 6 earned over 7 innings.  Corey (6-8, 5.91) surrendered a pair of long balls (16 on the year) and 9 hits.

The Clips play another with Indy tomorrow at 12:05p.  Jeanmar Gomez gets the start and Shin-Soo Choo is expected to be in uniform.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Let's catch up with the Akron Aeros...

Adam Miller - One of baseball's biggest feel good trains took a massive derailing during a four week stretch from early July until early August.  Over the course of 7 games in that span, Miller surrendered 17 earned runs in 11.2 innings (13.11 ERA) along with 23 hits for a .434 OBA.  Ouch.  A month ago, it seemed a foregone conclusion that Adam would see action at AAA in 2011 with an outside shot getting a cup of coffee with the big club.  Now, he is simply trying to finish strong.  Miller (1-4, 6.13 overall) threw two clean innings on the 6th and has fanned 37 in 39.2 innings this season.

Austin Adams - Despite some pedestrian overall numbers (9-8, 3.81, 1.57 WHIP) Adams has turned it on in the second half of the season.  In addition to topping the 100 MPH mark on a number of occasions, Austin has posted a 4-0 record and a 2.90 ERA since the All-Star break.  During a season that featured an appearance in the AA mid-season classic, he has averaged 8.51 K/9 and allowed just 4 home runs.

Bryce Stowell - After a brutal March camp and some time in extended spring training, Stowell has settled back in nicely.  His issues have always been those of command and while a 5.4 BB/9 line is not good, a 13.5 K/9 average and a 1.05 WHIP make it much easier to swallow.  Bryce has worked himself back into position to see Columbus before season's end.



Nick Weglarz - It has been a lost season for the big (6'3", 240) Canuck.  What began as an injury rehab stint with the Aeros mushroomed into an ineffective an inexplicable regression.  Wegz made his name with 23 dingers at Lake County in 2007 and progressed well through last season, as he OPSed .893 between Akron and Columbus.  2011 has produced awful numbers (.180, 3 HR, 12 RBI).  Although his .683 OPS is impressive given his low batting average, the .402 that he has posted over his last 10 is most certainly not.

Chun Chen - Chen has fought injuries for most of the season and, as such, has appeared in just 88 games.  Still, he has produced a team-high 56 RBI.  Although he has launched 12 bombs, Chun (.271) has had some discipline issues (94 K, 87 H, 26 BB) and is batting just .171 over his last 10.  I would not expect him to advance to AAA this season.

We will continue to catch up with the farm teams in the coming days en route to my first Indians' top 10 prospect list.  You will see that after the 15th, when we know which 2011 draft picks have been signed.

Cheers.

I Told You Baseball Was All About Physics

I did this when I was 8.  Too bad no one was watching.

INDIANS WIN IT!!!!!!

Ok I may not be Etrain with the stats but here is the down low on the tribe game. Indians scored 2 in the 1st, tigers scored 2 in the 2nd, rain delay...............
12 and a half scoreless innings later Koske Fuck you do me wins it with a bases loaded walk off hit in the elbow pitch, almost perfect timing for Choo's come back since fuckyoudome should go on the dl after this one. great game! look for Mr. Etrain's official breakdown of this one!

Pretty Girl 08.10.11 - Madchen Amick

Hot 20 years ago and hot now.  If you haven't seen her in a complete state of undress, go check out Dream Lover.