The Plain Dealer jumped all over the problem with stopping the running game as the reason the Indians lost to the Angels last night, 5-4. However, there is another reason for the defeat that was missed. That would be the lack of a lefty in the bullpen. The Tribe has been without a lefty since Rafael Perez was returned to Buffalo a few weeks ago, and last night’s game cried for a southpaw to be used.
With the score tied going into the eighth inning, righty Rafael Betancourt came on and gave up a leadoff single to Vladimir Guerrero. Another right handed hitter, Juan Rivera was next and he flew out to center. Lefty hitter Garrett Anderson followed, and with Betancourt pitching carefully because Anderson has some pop, walked. Tim Salmon (R) was next and he struck out, with the Angels working a successful double steal to put runners on second and third. Angels’ pilot Mike Scioscia then pinch hit the lefty hitting Adam Kennedy for Robb Quinlan, and Kennedy singled to break the tie.
If a lefty was in the ‘pen, he could have been used to face Anderson, and then another righty could have come on to face Salmon. Or either Scioscia would have kept Kennedy on the bench knowing a lefty would come on, and if Kennedy had come up a lefty could have been used at that point. The Indians were beat as much because they had no lefty reliever as by the successful double steal.
Even though the Wahoo’s are playing a lot of young players, the object is still to win the game. Cleveland hamstrings itself in trying to win because they don’t have a southpaw in the bullpen.
It’s nice that radio talk show hosts can evaluate talent so quickly. I’ve heard hosts on WKNR pretty much proclaiming Andy Marte as a bust after 22 at bats. On the other hand, Shin-Soo Choo is being hailed as the next big thing. Do these guys realize that Travis Hafner just went through an 0 for 17 streak? Or that Joe Inglett was hitting .350 after 20 or so at bats? It takes a little bit bigger sample to evaluate a player than 20 plate appearances.
I do like Choo’s patience at the plate, but at this point he has to prove he can hit a breaking pitch. Marte has made some nice plays defensively, and has hit in a little tough luck. He’s whiffed 5 times in 22 official at bats, so he’s not been Russell Branyan or Jason Dubois so far.
Willie Mays started out something like 0 for 24 to start his big league career. Good thing talk radio wasn’t around then.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 