Carlos Carrasco had allowed four earned runs over his past 36.2 innings coming into the game. Tonight, he got hit for five in the second inning alone. Cord Phelps' bumbling unsuccessful attempt to turn a double play that could have avoided all of the damage did not help. Carrasco could not command his stuff to consistently get ahead in the count and could not put hitters away when he did manage to gain the advantage. Scratch him from any all-star consideration.
Asdrubal Cabrera got hurt. Lonnie Chisenhall replaced him and saw six pitches from CC Sabathia. He made contact with exactly zero and struck out twice.
Michael Brantley was similarly ineffective. On the surface it seems like Brantley (.260) is having a solid season, but MJ is batting .242 since April 20th, .232 since May 4th, .169 since June 11, and .108 since June 25. That is what we call declining production.
None is worse than Grady Sizemore, though. Tonight, Sizemore fanned twice more, before doubling in the 7th. He now averages an even 3 AB's per punch out and is batting .196 with nearly twice as many K's (43) as hits (22) since his second stint on the DL.
Really, how many runs do you expect to score with a starting lineup that features five guys batting less than .230?
Just about the only good thing from the affair was the sterling middle relief from Frank Herrmann (1-0, 4.10). Frank earned his first major league victory with three shutout innings against the Reds on Saturday, picking up for Fausto Carmona after the big man's cartwheel over first base. Long relief is not a glamor role, but Herrmann has been great. He has not been touched for an earned run in 10.1 innings and his ERA since May 25th is 0.57. Go get 'em, Big Frank.
Following the game, Matt LaPorta was activated from the disabled list and Josh Judy (2.25) was optioned back to Columbus. Also, Zach McAllister was officially announced as Thursday's starter. Expect either Travis Buck or Shelley Duncan to be demoted to make room for ZMac.
It should have included Chad Durbin (9.98 ERA since May 25th) being taken out to the back field and, mercifully, put down.
Let's take the series tomorrow, boys.
Cheers.
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