The Indians’ woes at Jacobs Field continued over the weekend when they were swept by the last place Tampa Bay Devil Rays in a three game series. Granted, the D-Rays have played well since the All-Star break, but you can’t lose three straight at home to them if you are in contention for a playoff spot. Although some will point the finger at the hitting, the starting pitching let the Tribe down twice against Tampa.
After being spotted a 3-0 lead on Friday night, Jake Westbrook imploded, allowing six runs in the top of the second inning. Sure, Jhonny Peralta booted a double play ball that allowed the first run, but that doesn’t give Westbrook the right to walk the eighth and ninth hitters to tie the game. This is why Westbrook is a fourth or fifth starter. He loses confidence in his stuff too often and starts nibbling. He doesn’t know how to battle his way through a game if he doesn’t have his best.
Trailing 8-5 in the ninth inning of that game, Manager Eric Wedge decided to bunt runners over after three consecutive hits closed the gap to 8-6. The problem was he asked Ronnie Belliard to do the job after the second baseman had three doubles in the game. Taking the bat out of a hot hitters’ hands isn’t a smart move. After Belliard forced the runner at third, Aaron Boone hit into a double play to end the game.
Scott Elarton gave up three bombs in the first three innings on Saturday night to put the Indians into a 4-0 hole that they couldn’t climb out of. Cleveland eventually went down to defeat 8-2.
Sunday’s game was on the bats. Cliff Lee threw eight shutout frames, but the Tribe went down 1-0 when Bob Wickman allowed a pinch hit homer in the ninth to Travis Lee.
More curious decisions occurred yesterday. First was the recall of Jason Dubois, who whiffed three more times to run his total to 20 K’s in 36 at-bats. I realize the team needed an outfielder because of Casey Blake’s shoulder injury, but couldn’t GM Mark Shapiro call up someone who may make contact once in a while? What was worse was Dubois left runners on base with his strikeouts.
Another questionable move was letting Blake hit with a man on second and one out in the ninth. Wedge had two left handed hitters on his bench at the time, Ben Broussard and Jeff Leifer. I would have had one hit for Blake and the other hit for Dubois (which Leifer did). Rays’ closer Danys Baez is equally effective versus lefties and righties, but Broussard has a better average than Blake. I’m not a fan of Broussard, but this was the move that should have been made. Wedge’s blind loyalty to Blake is puzzling.
Speaking of Broussard, am I missing something here? Benny is hitting .257 and the man who has replaced him recently, Liefer is batting .220 in 50 at-bats. Liefer has also walked just once in those times at the plate. I’m all for finding a substitute for Broussard, but Liefer is not the guy. He’s a career journeyman at best. Now, if you want to bring Ryan Garko up from Buffalo to play first, I’m all for that.
Anyway, if the Tribe had taken 2 of 3 from Detroit, Kansas City, and Tampa Bay everyone would be happy. There record today is the same as if that had happened. They just did it the wrong way. They have to turn it around this week against Texas, a team they have struggled against recently.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 