Cleveland Indians: Kearns and Talbot Star in Blowout of Angels

4 - 27 - 10     at Los Angeles Angels     W, 9 - 2     9 - 11

     I think it's safe to say that Cleveland manager Manny Acta is either very lucky or a very good talent evaluator.  Proof of that came last night in Anaheim when Austin Kearns and Mitch Talbot, a pair of players who had to earn spots on the Opening Day roster back in spring training, had huge performances against the Angels.  Kearns drove in five runs and Talbot held the Halos to just two runs over six and a third to win his third game of the season.
     Talbot got his good night off to a heck of a start in the first inning, when he assisted on one of the oddest plays of the year.  On a hot shot grounder back to the mound, Talbot reached his glove behind him and deflected the ball into foul territory along the first base side.  However, Lou Marson, the catcher, came hustling up the line, grabbed the ball, and threw to first for the unbelievable out.
     Shortly thereafter, the offense kicked into gear with Kearns hitting a RBI double, a solo home run to straight - away center field, and a three - run double to put the ballgame away in the eighth.
     Kearns was not the only guy who swung the bat well, though, as Shin - Soo Choo hit a pair of run - scoring singles, and Mark Grudzielanek also had a RBI single. 

Cleveland Indians: Tribe's Offense Continues to Scuffle in Anaheim

4 - 26 - 10     at Los Angeles     L, 5 - 2     8 - 11

     When a team is averaging about three runs per game, every little bit of good news is viewed as golden.  So, I guess it is all right to be optimistic about the Indians' offense because they at least threatened to plate some runners, even though they still only scored two runs.  The two tallies were not nearly enough to earn a series opening win in the Big A.
     For the second start in a row, David Huff had problems early, and in this particular contest, he gave up a lead - off homer to Erick Aybar in what turned out to be a three - run first inning.
     A Jhonny Peralta RBI single and an Austin Kearns solo dinger kept Cleveland relatively close, but the Halos maintained a solid lead thanks to Bobby Abreu's two - run bomb in the sixth frame.
     The Tribe threatened in each of the last three innings, yet they were only able to score once.  The main culprit was extremely poor situational hitting, and a great catch from Abreu didn't help matters either.
     Huff suffered his second consecutive loss and Jered Weaver took home the win after befuddling the Indians over six frames.

Cleveland Indians: Bad Loss Wraps up Tribe's Stay in the Bay Area

4 - 25 - 10 at Oakland     L, 11 - 0     8 - 10

     It has been said, and rightly so, that consistency is the hallmark of excellence, which probably explains the Tribe's lack of success this season because they have been anything but consistent.  That unenviable trend continued in the series finale in Oakland as the Indians were hammered by eleven runs.
     The Athletics never had one huge inning, but they instead slowly built up an insurmountable lead that Cleveland never came close to overcoming.  Eric Chavez, Eric Patterson, and Kevin Kouzmanoff each had three runs batted in and the A's coasted to a series victory.
     Gio Gonzalez became the latest starting pitcher to shut down the Indians scuffling offense, and Justin Masterson was roughed up for seven runs in a short outing, giving him the loss.

Cleveland Indians: Rally Makes Carmona 3 - 0

     For seven innings at the Oakland Coliseum, it appeared as if the Tribe's offensive struggles would continue and they would waste another great outing from a starting pitcher.  Fausto Carmona was cruising, having allowed just one run, but Cleveland had barely managed to equal that score, so the game was tied at one heading to the eighth.  However, that's when the Indians' offense exploded, and they would wind up scoring five runs in the final two frames to win going away.
     Shin - Soo Choo was responsible for the tying tally as he singled one home in the sixth.  A sacrifice bunt opened the door in the eighth, and Mark Grudzielanek and Austin Kearns cashed in on the opportunity by both hitting RBI singles.
     In the ninth, the Tribe blew it open on a Mike Redmond run - scoring base - hit and a Austin Kearns two - run single.
     Carmona's solid outing came to a close with one out in the eighth and he picked up his third win of the young season.

Cleveland Indians: Another Shutout, Another Loss for Tribe

4 - 23 - 10     at Oakland     L, 10 - 0     7 - 9

     A disturbing trend is beginning to emerge for the Cleveland Indians this season.  They seem to follow up every good offensive day with a clunker, and the pattern continued in Oakland as the Tribe was shutout a day after scoring eight runs in Minnesota.
     The Indians set the tone for the day in the first four innings by bouncing into one double play in each frame.  Cleveland wound up banging into five total twin killers.
     The A's finally broke open a scoreless tie in the fourth and they added three more in the sixth to claim a choke - hold on the contest with the big blow being a two - run homer off the bat of Curt Suzuki.  The Athletics then made it a blowout by piling up six tallies in the eighth frame.
     Jake Westbrook continued to show signs of rust, and he wound up allowing four runs in five inning to become the losing pitcher.  Jake has now gone well over two years without a major league victory.
     Justin Duchscherer was the one who induced all those rally - killers, and he was the winning pitcher.

Cleveland Indians: Bats Bounce Back to Avoid Sweep

4 - 22 - 10     at Minnesota     W, 8 - 1     7 - 8

     If there is one word to desbribe the Tribe so far this season, it would be resiliency.  Every time this young team needs a win, they have been able to go out and get it.  The trend continued in the series finale against Minnesota as the Indians broke out of a prolonged offensive slump and pounded the Twins.
     Cleveland began the scoring early with a couple of ground - rule doubles from Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore in the first inning, and they continued it two frames later on a two - run bomb off the bat of Andy Marte.  Russell Branyan went on to add his first couple of RBIs on the season, and the Indians were never in danger of losing the game.
     The bigger story than the offensive resurgence is the fact that young Mitch Talbot is continuing to dominate opponents' hitters.  In this particular contest, Talbot went six innings of one - run ball while only allowing one base hit to earn the second victory of his career.

Cleveland Indians: Anemic Offense Leads to Another Loss

4 - 21 - 10     at Minnesota     L, 6 - 0     6 - 8

      During Spring Training, it seemed that the Indians would have no problems scroring runs this season.  Fast forward two weeks into the regular season, and Tribe is getting pretty good starting pitching, but they are averaging less than 3.5 runs per game.  I guess that's why baseball is not played on paper.
     In this particular contest, the Twins took advantage of an erratic David Huff to grab an early 3 - 0 lead, and then they rode the hot bat of Michael Cuddyer, who hit a homer and drove in three, to grab the victory.
     Every time Cleveland threatened offensively, they were turned away by poor situational hitting, bad luck, great Minnesota defense, or, in most cases, a combination of all three.
     Huff took the loss, and Francisco Liriano shut down the Tribe over eight frames to earn the win.

Cleveland Indians: New Ballpark Fails to Mend Tribe's Woes vs. Twins

4 - 20 - 10     at Minnesota     L, 5 - 1     6 - 7

     After years of struggling against the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome, the Indians probably expected a change in their fortunes now that the Twins have opened up Target Field, an outdoor playing facility.  However, in their first game at the new venue, the Tribe reverted back to their old ways as they committed costly errors and hit poorly, things they used to do at Minnesota's indoor park.  The result was an unsatisfactory 5 - 1 loss that snapped Cleveland's four game winning streak.
     The Twins struck in the first inning on a Justin Morneau RBI double, but Travis Hafner quickly tied the contest up with a lined shot of a home run to the right field bleachers.
     The game got away from the Indians in the bottom of the third.  Justin Masterson walked in the tying run, and two errors allowed three more to cross home plate.  On one play, Masterson uncorked a wild pitch, and before the play was over, two Twins had tallied, thanks in large part to an error on the Tribe hurler.
     Scott Baker took care of the rest of the game for Minnesota, sending Cleveland to a dissapointing loss.

Cleveland Indians: Choo's Great Game Finishes Off Sweep of Sox

4 - 18 - 10     vs. Chicago White Sox     W, 7 - 4     6 - 6

     A day after delivering a game - winning hit, Shin - Soo Choo continued to pound the White Sox by driving in five runs and smashing a grand slam.   The young right fielder from South Korea added a brilliant catch in the 9th inning to lead the Tribe to their first series sweep of the season.
     Choo stroked a RBI single in the first inning to get the offense rolling, and Mark Grudzielanek finished the frame's scoring with a two - out, two - run single.
    Choo then effectively put the game on ice with his grand slam to right in the second, giving the Indians a 7 - 0 cushion.
     Aside from a turbulent fifth inning, that saw former Cleveland Indian Omar Vizquel hit a RBI double, Fausto Carmona cruised to his second victory as he continues to turn his career around.
     With Chicago rallying in the ninth, Choo put the incing on the proverbial cake with a sensational diving catch to save at least two runs, and quite possibly, the game.
     Chris Perez earned his second save in as many days after his defense bailed him out.

Cleveland Indians: 8th Inning Heroics Lift Tribe

4 - 17 - 10     vs. Chicago White Sox     W, 3 - 2     5 - 6

     Asdrubal Cabrera turned on a fastball and launched it high and deep into the cool afternoon air.  He watched it sail over the fence, and then slowly jogged around the bases to some mild cheering from a small crowd that was more excited about the Cavs' win over the Bulls in the playoffs earlier in the day.  Nonetheless, A - Cab's homer was critical as it tied the game in the bottom of the eighth, and before the inning was over, Shin - Soo Choo had added a RBI double up the alley in left - center field to give the Indians the lead for good.
     Cleveland took the first lead of the game way back in the first on a contoversial play.  After Grady Sizemore tripled, Choo ripped a liner into right.  When Carlos Quentin slipped and fell on the outfield grass, Choo headed to second base,and he beat the throw by plenty.  However, the umpires ruled that Choo had failed to touch first base on his way to second.  Even though the call stood, one glance at the reply convinced even the most casual of observers that the decision was incorrect.  Sizemore was still able to score on the play, giving the Indians the early advantage.
     Chicago ralled to take a 2 - 1 lead on an Alexi Ramirez run - scoring double and a RBI single off the bat of Alex Rios, in the sixth and seventh frames, respectively.
     That set up the dramatic bottom of the eighth.  Following Cabrera's dinger, Sox starter Jake Peavy was pulled in favor of Matt Thornton.  The hard throwing lefty surrendered a single to Sizemore prior to the clutch double from Shin - Soo.
     Paul Konerko nearly tied the game back up again in the 9th, but his long fly ball went just foul down the left field line, and Chris Perez was able to earn the save.
     The Tribe continued to get great pitching as Jake Westbrook threw seven solid innings, and Jensen Lewis earned the win with his scoreless eighth.

Cleveland Indians: Another Complete Game Pitching Effort Leads to Win

4 - 16 - 10     vs. Chicago White Sox     W, 6 - 2     4 - 6

     Only the most optimistic of Tribe fans would have predicted a complete game gem for Mitch Talbot following his first start in an Indians' uniform last week.  In that appearance, he retired the last eight batters he faced, but in the first three innings, he was nothing short of awful.  Regardless, he was brilliant against the White Sox, going the distance in less than one hundred pitches, and leading Cleveland to their second consecutive victory.
     In the third inning, the Tribe offense finally got on track by scoring a trio of runs after two men had been retired.  Austin Kearns grounded a RBI single into left field and Luis Valbuena hit a two - run homer to right.
     A critical error by Sox third baseman Mark Teahen, allowed two more runs to score in the sixth, and an Asdrubal Cabrera run - scoring double added insurance in the same frame.
     Meanwhile, Talbot was dominating, allowing only the two Chicago runs, on a Paul Konerko solo home run that was absolutely crushed to left, and another on a Shin - Soo Choo fielding error in right.  Talbot not only notched a W, but he outdueled White Sox ace Mark Buerhle, who was roughed up for six tallies, three earner, in six innings of work.

Cleveland Indians: Rangers' Errors Set Up Choo's Clutch Hit and Win

4 - 15 - 10     vs. Texas     W, 3 - 2     3 - 6

     A five - game losing streak finally came to an end for the Tribe, but in order for them to break out of it, the Rangers basically had to hand the game over to Cleveland.
     Texas broke up a scoreless contest in the fourth inning when Josh Hamilton lasered a two - run bomb over the right field fence, and for the most of the game, it appeared as if that would be enough to send the Indians to their sixth straight defeat.
    In the eighth inning, however, the Tribe broke up the shutout, and grabbed the lead for good.  A pair of errors by the Rangers' middle infield put two on with nobody out for Shin - Soo Choo.  Choo cashed in on the opportunity by dropping a three - run shot just over the wall in right - center.
    David Huff had been pitching marvellously all game and once the Tribe gave him the lead, he got the team across the finish line with a scoreless ninth.  It was the first complete game of Huff's carreer, but more importantly, it got Cleveland back on the left side of the results' column.

Cleveland Indians: Few Fans Show, One Alters Outcome in Loss

4 - 14 - 10     vs. Texas     L, 6 - 2     2 - 6

     Three - fourths of the Progressive Field seats were empty for the Tribe's game against the Rangers as only 10,071 showed up, but one fan impacted the game in a negative way for an Indians' team that has now dropped five in a row.  The crowd was the smallest in the history of the ballpark.
    The Rangers jumped out to a 4 - 0 lead that was highlighted by Nelson Cruz's two - run  homer in the third inning.
    That set up the crucial play in the contest.  Cleveland had all the  ducks on the pond and two outs in the sixth, when Michael Brantley ripped a double down the first base line.  However, because a fan reached over the low wall and touched the ball, the play was ruled the equivalent of a ground - rule double.  So, instead of scoring three runs, the Tribe only got two, and the momentum gained from the clutch hit seemed to dissipate.
    Julio Borbon contributed some insurance for Texas on a two - run single in the eighth, and the Rangers coasted from there to the victory.
     Justin Masterson's six frames while allowing four tallies were not nearly good enough because the Indians' offense still can not break out of their plonged slump to start the season.

Cleveland Indians: Rangers Win in Extras on Tribe's Home Opener

4 - 12 - 10     vs. Texas     L, 4 - 2 (10 innings)     2 - 5

     A return to Progressive Field failed to solve the Indians woes as they wasted another stellar outing from Fausto Carmona becuase they continued to be stymied on offense.
     Shin - Soo Choo connected for a solo shot in the first inning before the Rangers rallied to take a 2 - 1 advantage.  The Tribe came back to tie the score in the sixth on a Jhonny Peralta sacrifice fly that was set up by a Texas throwing error.
     Both defenses and bullpens were stellar the rest of the way and the game headed into extra frames.  That was when Nelson Cruz launched a Chris Perez fastball deep into the Home Run Porch in left field.  Cleveland's offnese had no answer and the Indians lost their second straight home opener.
     Fausto Carmona continued to be brilliant, going eight strong innings of two - run ball, but like the rest of the starting rotation, suffered from a lack of offensive support.

Cleveland Indians: Bullpen Meltdown Results in Frustrating Loss

4 - 11 - 10     at Detroit     L, 9 - 8     2 - 4

     There really is no nice way to put this: the Indians' bullpen choked, not once, not twice, but three times as they allowed the Tigers to put together three straight big innings at the tail end of the game to win it.
     The Tribe offense finally came to life by scoring six runs off their nemesis, Detroit ace Justin Verlander, and eight total.  The big blow was delivered by Luis Valbuena, who smacked a grand slam with two down in the first inning.  Jhonny Peralta added a two - run shot and Shin - Soo Choo bombed a solo home run.
     In the seventh, the Cleveland pen began to fall apart and they let the Tigers slowly get back in the game.  They scored one in that seventh frame, two in the eighth, and three more in the ninth to pull off the stunner.
     Chris Perez became the scapegoat with the blown save in the final inning, but Rafael Perez was also to blame due to his terrible eighth inning.
    Chris Perez walked Johnny Damon to force in the tying run and he then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Carlos Guillen to cross the plate with the winning tally.  Even though it was scored a wild pitch, catcher Lou Marson should have been able to keep the ball in front of him, but it rolled through his legs.
    The blown six - run lead cost Jake Westbrook his first win in over two years.

  

Cleveland Indians: Offense Can't Overcome Early Deficit

4 - 10 - 10     at Detroit     L, 4 - 2     2 - 3

     In the third inning of his start against the Tigers, Mitch Talbot glanced up at the scoreboard and saw that he had already thrown 80 pitches, but his team was only down by four runs.  All of the sudden, he relaxed and regained his composure.  He finished the outing by retiring the last eight batters that he faced.  Unfortunately, the Indians' offense could only muster two runs in what would turn out to be a losing cause.
     Detroit pitcher Jeremy Bonderman took a perfect game into the fourth before settling for his first win in almost two years.  Cleveland got their runs on a wild pitch and a Travis Hafner RBI single.

Cleveland Indians: Peralta's Error Proves Costly

4 - 9 - 10     at Detroit     L, 5 - 2     2 - 2
    
      Over the years, Jhonny Peralta has become the most maligned Indians' player among Tribe fans.  Some complain about his lack of clutch hitting, others about his below average defense.  Regardless of the validity of these opinions, the fact remains that Peralta's three - run error in the fifth inning against Detroit was a killer.
     With two outs in the 5th and the bases loaded for the Tigers, the Tribe was clinging to a one - run lead.  Magglio Ordonez grounded a ball to third and it appeared as if the Indians would get out of the frame.  But, Peralta uncorked a wild throw and all three base runners crossed home plate.
     Cleveland's offense could only muster two runs, as Travis Hafner pounded a solo home run, the Tribe's first of the season, and Mike Redmond hit a RBI double which was his fist hit as an Indian.
     David Huff went five solid innings, but it was wasted thanks to the poor offense and defense he was provided with.

Cleveland Indians: Indians Get Winning Record In Extras

     4 - 8 - 10     at Chicago White Sox     W, 5 - 3 (11 innings)     2 - 1

     The last time the Tribe was above the break - even point was on May 18, 2008, until now.  Thanks to a tension - filled 11 inning ballgame, in which the Indians came from behind to win, Cleveland has a baseball team with a winning record.
     It didn't come easy, though, as the White Sox erased an early Tribe lead, given to them by a pair of Grady Sizemore RBIs, with a two - run homer off the bat of Carlos Quentin in the 7th.
     The Indians came right back to tie it on a Jhonny Peralta two - out RBI double up the gap in right - center that scored Travis Hafner all the way from first base.  A juggle by Quentin on the warning track was key as Pronk just did beat the throw home with a slide.
     In the 11th Asdrubal Cabrera played the role of hero by blooping a two - out RBI single into short right, and Sizemore added insurance by plating a tally with a double.
     Chris Perez shut the door on the Sox again, making a winner out of Jensen Lewis, and theTribe.

Cleveland Indians: Gritty Effort From Carmona Puts Tribe in 2010 Win Column

     4 - 7 - 10     at Chicago White Sox     W, 5 - 3     1 - 1

     Though it may be hard to believe now, Fausto Carmona finished third in the American League Cy Young Award voting two years ago.  Since that time he has had horrendous command problems that have resulted in a sub - .500 record and one demotion to the minor leagues.  This spring, however, Fausto showed signs of improvement, and he showed that was not a fluke in a solid outing in Chicago.  While he did walk six White Sox batters, in large part due to the small strike zone of the home plate umpire, Carmona went six innings of only one - hit baseball, and allowed three runs.  In the process he became the first Indians' pitcher to earn a W in 2010.
     Carmona's good work would have gone unmerited had the Cleveland offense not awoken after having gone the campaign's first 12 frames without scoring.  Michael Brantley broke through with a RBI single in the 4th and Grady Sizemore followed with a two - run single, two batters later.  A Matt LaPorta run - scoring double to the gap in left - center field gave the Indians the lead for good in the 7th.
     Chris Perez came on in the 9th for the save to nail down the Tribe's first win of the very young season, 5 - 3.

Ohio State Men's Basketball: Naismith Caps Outstanding Season, Career for Evan Turner

     Now that Evan Turner has declared for the NBA draft, we now know that the Naismith Award was the final chapter for this Ohio State All - American here in Columbus.
     Turner began his time with the Buckeyes back in the fall of 2007 and was quickly nickmamed Evan Turnover for his propensity to give away the rock during his limited playing time on the floor.  Oh, how things have changed. 
     Things began to turn for the better last season when he was named as a First Team, All - Big Ten performer, and led the Bucks to a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
     However, this will probably be the only year OSU fans remember, and for obvious reasons.  E.T. averaged 20 points a contest to go along with nearly ten rebounds and six assists.  He won four major national awards, including the Naismith, and he was also named the Big Ten's Most Outstanding Player.
     Unfortunately, this was not enough to get Ohio State into the Final Four as they were upset by Tennessee in the round of 16, despite 31 points from Turner.
     Turner's two missed three point shots at the end of that game should not be the last image we have of him.  Instead, it should be of Turner being recognized as the best player in the country with the prestigous Naismith Award.

Cleveland Indians: Season Opens With Ugly Loss

4 - 5 - 10     at Chicago White Sox     L,6 - 0     0 - 1

     If one was to script the worst possible season opener for a baseball team, it would probably go something like this.  The team in question is held scoreless for the contest's entirety, they are victim to several outstanding defensive plays, including one that will be considered one of the best of the year, and their supposed ace can't even make it through the 5th inning.
     Sadly, that story - line coincides with the Indians' 6 - 0 loss to the Chicago White Sox earlier today.  The Tribe's offense never got on track, Mark Buerhle made a ridiculous off - balance flip through his legs while in foul territory to retire Lou Marson in the 5th, and Jake Westbrook got pounded for four tallies in 4+ frames.
     The one highlight: a fine catch by Jhonny Peralta on a foul ball as he leaned over the tarp on the third base side, and into the stands to grab it.
 

Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds: Season Preview

     Opening Day is upon us again and for the two major league teams located in Ohio, there are vastly different expectations.
     The Cleveland Indians are coming off of two straight non - winning seasons, and with the club in the midst of a rebuilding effort, there is a good chance that unenviable streak will continue.  However, there is hope for the Tribe.
     It starts with their offense that expects to be one of the best in the American League.  The one - two punch of Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore should be able to successfully set up the potent middle of the order that consists of big bats like Shin - Soo Choo and Travis Hafner.
     The pitching, though, could be this team's achilles heel all season long.  The ace of the starting rotation, Jake Westbrook, is returning from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, and he has not pitched in almost two years.  The rest of the staff is either inexperienced or inconsistent, or in most cases, both. 
     The bullpen was already a question mark before closer Kerry Wood hurt is shoulder.  Wood will miss the first two months of the campaign, which puts the Tribe pen in dire straits unless Chris Perez can step up and assume the closer role.
     Realistically speaking, this is a team, that if things break right, could stay in contention until after the All - Star Break, but to expect anything beyond that would be unfair to the young and untested Indians.
     Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds could be embarking on their first winning season since 2000.  All the peices seem to be in place, but like the Indians, there is still some youth that could slow this club down.
     Hitting wise, this team appears to be stacked with the likes of Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, and Brandon Phillips leading the way.  Unlike in past seasons, scoring runs should be no problem for the Redlegs.
     While Cincy's pitching is not nearly as poor as Cleveland's, there is still some concern over the arms in the Reds' staff.  Aaron Harang will be the ace,  but he is coming off an awful season, and even at his best was never dominant.  The other four pitchers in the rotation are extremely talented, yet inexperienced, and only time will tell if that will rear its ugly head down the stretch in Cincinnati.  The bullpen appears to be solid, but not great.
     This is a Reds' team that could actually contend for a playoff berth and a winning season could probably be counted on.  Unfortunately, the N.L. Central is very tough and that could keep this team out of the postseason again.