Sunday, March 4, 2012
Pretty Girl 03.04.12 - Nikki Cox
Just In From the Desert
Hot Corner: Captain Jack Hannahan (Bon Anniversaire, bro) singled in two trips (.500) and played his normal stellar defense.
Left Of Center: Today we were treated to all 3 contenders, including a pair in the starting lineup. Shelley Duncan (.250) was the left field starter and launched a three run, first inning bomb to left that likely hasn't landed yet. Matt LaPorta (.000) did not fare so well as the DH. Matty Ked his first two times up and his RBI came on a fielder's choice that should have been an inning ending double play in the 5th. Felix Pie (.000) entered later and did exactly nothing of consequence.
#5: Jeanmar Gomez pitched the 6th and 7th perfectly and fanned 3 in what Tom Hamilton called a dominant performance. We won't see the favorite for the 5th slot (Kevin Slowey) until tomorrow's finale against Cincy, but Jeanmar certainly put his best foot forward today.
Bench Me: Russ Canzler (1.000) singled twice and walked in 3 PAs, driving in a run and scoring a pair. Although he contributed an error (playing first base) to the Redlegs first inning outburst, Russ is currently the darling of media and fandom alike. That can go a long way in helping a young man's quest for a spot on the opening day roster, especially if he continues to hit. I have never seen an intrasquad grand slam do so much for a player's image. Aaron Cunningham (.333) made his Indians debut and looked pretty damn rusty his first two trips to the dish (and in making an awful first inning throwing error), but did slice a single in the 5th. Many consider this kid a contender for the starting spot, but he'll have to earn my respect before I get on the bandwagon. I do have a feeling about Jose Lopez (1.000). After two hits yesterday, the former all-star (I'll keep saying it) walked in his only plate appearance today and seems like the kind of guy that will stick if he can keep it going. Finally, Crisitian Guzman (.500) singled, walked and scored twice. Seems like a good day, eh? Yeah, not so much. Guzman looked every bit of a 34 year old who hadn't played in a year while making an ugly error at short and displaying very little energy in the field. I'll agree with Hamilton on this one; I don't see a ML position for Acta's buddy.
Mightier Than the Sword: Chris Ray and Hector Ambriz each tossed a scoreless inning in their respective first spring appearances. The 12th (and maybe 11th? 10th if CP is still hurt?) pitching slots will likely be the last of the battles to be decided.
Just In From the Desert
Good news: Chris Perez feels much better, stating that his left side hurts more like bruise than a pulled muscle. He hopes to be pitching in spring games by the middle of the month. That's quite a departure from the 4-to-6 week timetable that we were originally presented with, so let's hope CP doesn't rush back and injure himself further.
Bad news: Don't expect to see Rafael Perez anytime soon. He's on the shelf with a sore pitching shoulder. Listed as day-to-day, the truth is that no one knows when he will make his spring debut. Also, Aaron Cunningham, you know that dude that no one has ever heard of but we (essentially) traded two prospects for and has no options left so if we don't keep him for opening day we might get squat, has a sore left hand that he has described as throbbing with pain from his fingertips to his elbow and is out indefinitely as well.
Cross your eyes, Ubaldo takes the hill in 3 hours.
Cheers.
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.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Pretty Girl 03.02.12 - Jennifer Carpenter
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