After a big series win against the White Sox, it was hoped the Cleveland Indians had a little momentum going into the weekend set versus the Angels. However, in baseball it is said that momentum is today’s starting pitcher, and the Tribe had Jason Johnson going on Friday. Enough said. Final score: LA 10, Cleveland 3.
Of course, the Tribe did score a boatload of runs on Saturday, and Cliff Lee showed signs of turning the corner in a 14-2 Cleveland win. Lee showed me a lot when he stopped the Angel rally at two runs in the sixth. Lately, that type of situation became a four or five run frame with the lefty. So, the Indians were in a position to win the series with their ace going on Sunday night, right?
Wrong. C.C. Sabathia had his worst outing of the season, giving up seven runs in five innings as the Angels turned the tables with a 14-2 victory of their own. Thus, the Tribe loses another series.
Despite Eric Wedge’s mantra of winning series, the Wahoos are actually very poor in this department so far in 2006. The Indians are 7-8-4 in series this year. Included in this total are two series losses to Kansas City, a loss to Baltimore, and a loss to Seattle at home. Therefore, the one word to describe the Indians this year is inconsistent. And that’s not a compliment.
Turning our attention back to Mr. Johnson, you have to love that he doesn’t think his pitching is a problem. He was quoted as saying the media keeps bringing it up. I would have to say he is correct. After all, why does The Plain Dealer have to keep publishing the team statistics that show Johnson’s bloated ERA and awful hits to innings pitched ratio. The media shouldn’t point out that of the four runs the Angels scored in the first two frames, three reached base by walks. Maybe they magically appeared on base.
Also, the Tribe is really hamstrung by Guillermo Mota. Since, the reliever is throwing in the mid 90’s, management really can’t make up a phantom injury to get him a respite in the minors. So, we will be forced to watch him spread out the souvenirs in mop up situations. Is it me, or does he remind you of Jose Jimenez two years ago.
Anyway, cross your fingers this week. Which Jake Westbrook will we see on Tuesday against the A’s? How many runs will Johnson allow on Thursday? I hear fans calling and complaining about Paul Byrd, but I have no idea as to why. Byrd is the most consistent pitcher next to Sabathia. After a rough start, he gives the manager six to seven innings on a regular basis. I know he technically replaced Kevin Millwood in the rotation, but that’s not his fault.
Those same fans usually talk about Westbrook’s reliability. Hello???
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 