Well the Indians got started in New York for what I said was a rebound series and a real litmus test for where we are in the playoff world. Well, after a 7-1 loss to the Yankees it looks like the Tribe still has a lot of work to do. Even just the eyeball test is a bit revealing when comparing the rosters.
Josh Tomlin got lit up. He pitched only 3 innings and got rocked for 3 HRs by Dewayne Wise, Robinson Cano(as Rick Manning was 'shocked' by his lack of RBI production stats), and Nick Swisher(who smiled while running the bases). This game was a joke that just never became funny. We were down 2-0 after the first inning, then 4-0 after the 2nd, and then 6-0 after the 3rd inning, all while giving A-Rod the night off. This one just felt 'over' after the 2nd inning, and the offense started to press. I take that back, the offense wasn't pressing, the offense was the offense.
Only 4 Indians got hits off of Hiroki Kuroda who improved to 7-7 after pitching 7 innings and recording 7K's. The Indians went 0-8 with runners in scoring position, including with 1 out in the 4th, a first pitch pop fly by Johnny Damon with runners on 1st and 3rd. Great AB. Grimmace was after him, and while he has been hitting better, his run producing numbers are about where they have been all season. Choo looks good at the plate, Kipnis is slowly working his way out of his slump, Brantley is slowing down(he is allowed), and the Manahan is still working his way back in at the plate. The offense is really bad right now, and the starting pitching has flipped from the start of the year. In the beginning everyone except Ubaldo and Masterson could do no wrong, now only Masterson and Ubaldo can get a quality start.
What bothers me more is the message that the front office may be sending to the team. It's starting to sound like the front office believes this is their window, and desperation is starting to settle in. Reports are that the Indians were in the Kevin Youkilis sweepstakes, but we lost to the White Sox. What message is that sending to Grimmace, Hannahan, Pronk, and Chisenhall? Maybe the thing that is worse than a trade gone bad, is when a trade doesn't happen and you have to keep telling the guy you were about to give up his spot to that he is still 'your guy'. Jim Harbaugh needs to be the Manager for the week after the trade deadline as all the fallen trades get leaked.
Also in another move the Indians sent Jeanmar Gomez to AAA, and will call up Zach McAllister to start on Thursday. As you all know, I am a huge McAllister fan, and I love this move. However Tomlin hasn't pitched much better as of late, so is he next? Moves are clearly coming, because the Indians aren't 'trying out' guys anymore. Manny Acta even confirmed that this isn't a spot start situation, this is McAllister's time to stick with the MLB roster. Gomez got 3 months, and it didn't work out for the last one. Here is something comforting too, Carlos Carrasco will be throwing a bullpen session today at Yankee Stadium as he continues his rehab from Tommy John. That's like showing me Grady sitting on the bench when Damon crashed into that wall, just quit teasing me. Carrasco will be an MLB starter for the Indians, but that is next season.
This isn't a total downer post though, because lets be real. The Indians are a half game out of first in the AL Central. Lets weather this storm(and by storm I mean the Wilson Betemit series next up in Baltimore), and see where we are at the All-Star break. I expect Pronk to be fully back at the All-Star break, and that will help the offense in a MAJOR way. Sizemore will be back by the end of July at the latest, and even if he isn't the Grady we all know, I will bet anybody he hits over .200 and will not need a defensive sub in the 7th inning.
Stay strong Tribe, maybe we can turn it around tonight. We got Masterson who has the stuff to shut down any lineup, and we are facing Phil Hughes who can also shut down any lineup, but he can also hang a lot of pitches that the Indians can capitalize on. Game on Tribe!
-Daniel Hahn
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