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Slow Start? What Slow Start?
OK, time to stop the MLB nonsense about whether the Indians are for real.
They’re as real as Justin Masterson’s sinker, Shin-Soo Choo’s right arm, Carlos Santana’s batting eye, Orlando Cabrera’s experience and Asdrubal Cabrera’s talent.
Try this for real: The Indians own a majors-best 66 run differential and an MLB best 18-4 home record. They’ve scored the second-most runs in the A.L. and have the fourth-best ERA. They’re 7-2 against the A.L. East with the revived Red Sox returning to Cleveland looking for revenge after that three-game sweep they absorbed in the season’s first week.
Ron Washington knows they’re for real. Asked if he knew the Indians would be in first place when in spring training he asked Manny Acta to be an MLB All-Star coach, the Rangers managed replied, “I knew the Indians would be tough. They have some talent.”
Washington might have been one of the few to believe that two months ago. But he’s no longer alone. The Indians sit atop the MLB Power Poll for the fourth consecutive week. The Poll is convinced.
1. Indians (1). You can ask the Reds if the Tribe is for real. The Indians’ weekend sweep was first over Reds since 2004.
2. Cardinals (14). When talking about N.L. MVP candidates, Matt Holliday would be the place to start. Unless you started with Lance Berkman.
3. Red Sox (13). About that 2-10 start, perhaps the Red Sox just wanted to play fair and give the rest of the league a head start.
Adrian Gonzalez has provided the offensive punch the Red Sox were hoping for when they traded for him this offseason. (AP Photo)
4. Giants (6). Latest wrist injury to Mark DeRosa could be the end, making his the saddest in a season that has seen more than its share of injuries.
5. Phillies (4). Chase Utley is back in time for rematch of last year’s divisional series against the Reds. Time for the rest of the Phillies’ offense to return, too.
6. Yankees (15). What a debut: Right-hander Hector Noesi gives Yankees four scoreless innings to win 15-inning marathon in Baltimore, providing the difference between a so-so and a good week for the club.
Tigers Pitcher Threw Out His Arm, and the Rest of This Season
A rare injury that occurred to Detroit Tigers relieving pitcher Joel Zumaya last night in a game against the Minnesota Twins, essentially snapping his arm in half.
Zumaya entered the game with just two outs in the seventh inning looking to close the game for the Tigers. After just his 14th pitch of the night, he threw a fastball to Twin outfielder Delmon Young, collapsing immediately to the ground. The pitcher Zumaya was in obvious, agonizing pain. The catcher whom was 60 feet away from Zumaya said that “It [was] hard to see, It was just like a little pop when he let it go,” as Zumaya threw the 99 mile an hour fastball tweaking his arm.
“Every pitcher that ever pitched is one pitch away from throwing his last one,” Leyland said, “and certainly I don’t want to paint a bad picture here because I’m not saying that’s the case here at all. But that’s just the way it is.” Read More >>
Andrew Oliver Hits the Tigers Rotation
General manager Dave Dombrowski says of Andrew Oliver, “There are not many pitchers that have his quality of stuff. His fastball is way above average. You never can tell when a youngster comes up and gets that opportunity, but if he does scuffle at some point, can he handle it? We think the answer to that is yes.”
Andy Oliver, 22, will be making his debut this Friday, taking the place of Rick Porcello in the rotation playing against the Atlanta Braves, the officials announced today. The Detroit Tigers didn’t need a 5th starter to replace Rick Porcello. In fact, they ween’t scheduled for it until Saturday. Oliver was suppose to play in the Future Games in next month’s All-Star weekend in Anaheim, California, but as it turns out, his future starts now. Dombrowski and the rest of the Detroit’s brass are not exactly sure what to expect from Oliver when he takes the mound. Dombrowski does say, “the 22-year-old prospect has the mental makeup to handle the opportunity.” Oliver was the second-round pick in the amateur draft last year out of Oklahoma State.
After charting pitches during Tuesday’s doubleheader, Oliver says, “It’s something I’ve always worked and strived to do. For this to come true is awesome.” Read More >>
Replay in the MLB Would Really Need to be Thought Through
Jim Joyce, a veteran umpire admits to a blown call that changed the course of the game for Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga costing him a perfect game. what turned out to be a positive event in which Joyce’s apology was welcomed with applause, it has however sent a ripple through the MLB news-vine begging for the implementation of instant replay.
“I just cost that kid a perfect game,” Joyce said. “I would’ve been the first person in my face, and he never said a word to me.”
Yet Galaraga managed a smile throughout the apology, “I give him a lot of credit for coming in and saying, ‘Hey, I need to … say I’m sorry,’ ” Galarraga said. “I know nobody’s perfect.”
Joyce signaled Jason Donald of the Cleveland Indians safe as he just crossed first base as Galarraga worked with first basemen Miguel Cabrera, which would have been the last of 3 outs needed to close out the top of the ninth inning. Thus ending Galarraga’s effort to retire 27 batters in a row, and a perfect game. Read More >>
Detroit Tigers Galarraga Out Pitches the Sox
Armando Galarraga spotted his pitches low and on the corner for the previous 6 1/3 innings making the bigger addition to the Wednesday 9-0 Tigers win. He may be Detroit’s future closer but some of his wild pitches nearly hit many players heating up the shouting on the field.
Ryan Perry, the wild pitcher, nearly hit Alexi Ramirez twice and Brent Lillbridge another time. Josh Fields, Chicago’s third baseman, shouted to Perry about throwing the ball at him at 97 mph. “I’ve never tried to hit anyone in the head,” Perry said. Perry held in and struck out Fields for the final out.
It was a win for the Detroit Tigers, taking the early lead in American League Central Standings. Galarraga has good control and shut down Chicago’s big bats. Considering this was the only time he faced the White Sox before this game was briefly at this final game of last season. He threw a few wold pitches to bring in the tying run and walked Jermaine Dye, he was out of sorts.
Galarraga had the eight-strikeout performance in the home opener las Friday, with three of his five strikouts coming in critical situations. Galarraga set down Carlos Quentine and changed speeds on Jim Thome with a moving changeup and a cutter to freeze him.
Executing a heavy dose of sliders and cutters Garlarraga controlled the game very well.
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