Cleveland Indians: Comeback Bid Falls Short

8-21-11     at Detroit     L, 8-7     62-61

     The Indians traded for Ubaldo Jimenez because they believed he could spark a playoff push.

     Instead, the lanky right-hander is crushing the Tribe's postseason dreams.

     On Sunday afternoon, Jimenez threw  3 1/3 innings of batting practice as the Tigers increased their divisional lead to 4.5 games.  The former Colorado Rockie allowed 2 home runs, 9 hits, and 8 runs.  The horrific outing netted Jimenez his 10th loss and his 1st with the Indians.

     In the bottom of the 3rd, Jimenez was rocked to the tune of 7 runs.  Delmon Young's 3-run homer and Victor Martinez's 2-run bomb keyed the bludgeoning of Ubaldo.

     Facing a 7-0 deficit, the Indians roared back in the 4th against Rick Porcello.  Carlos Santana blasted a solo shot deep into the right field bleachers, and then, after 2 batters were retired, the Indians ignited a furious rally.  Jason Donald singled, Jack Hannahan singled, Lou Marson singled home Donald, and Michael Brantley doubled home both Hannahan and Marson.  The 5th tally of the frame scored when Porcello uncorked a wild pitch.

     Detroit did extend its lead to 3 in the home half of the 4th, but the Tribe eventually pulled to within 1.  However, following his RBI single in the 6th, Travis Hafner suffered a strained right foot.  Pronk is hoping to avoid a disabled list stint that would handicap the Indians' offense considerably.

     In the 9th, the Tribe had a final chance to complete its gritty comeback.  Kosuke Fukudome walked, Donald was hit by a pitch, and Jack Hannahan sacrificed the 2 runners into scoring position.  At this point, the Indians were threatening to hand Jose Valverde his 1st blown save of the season.  From his bench, Manny Acta summoned Matt LaPorta, who lofted a fly ball into shallow center.  Austin Jackson made the catch, and Fukudome raced for the plate, forcing Jackson to deliver a perfect throw to Alex Avila.  Unfortunately, Jackson did exactly that, and the Tigers, in dramatic fashion, completed the sweep of the Tribe.

The Indians were unable to climb out of the hole Ublado dug for them