The Kansas City Royals had lost 11 in a row coming into this past weekend’s series against the Indians. After a loss on Friday, which ended on Jose Guillen’s shot to the wall that Grady Sizemore made a fine catch on, the Royals came back to win the last two games of the series, ending their losing skein and extending the Tribe pitiful recent performance to 12 losses in the last 15 games. Unbelieveably, the Indians still sit just five games behind the first place White Sox despite this run of ineptness.
Cleveland scored just three runs in the last two games against the Royals, meaning just when you think you see light at the end of the tunnel, it gets dark quickly. In the Tribe would have scored exactly four runs, not a high total by any stretch of the imagination, they would have a 29-27 record right now, just one game out. To be fair, games where the Cleveland opponent scored four runs as well were counted as losses, and there were six such games. If you give the Tribe a split of those games, their record would improve to 32-24, which would put them two games ahead in the AL Central Division.
In the last week or so, many have tried to pinpoint the team’s bullpen as the problem, not the hitting. While admitting that the relief corp has not been stellar, there is no question using this four runs per game sample, that this team doesn’t score enough runs. Think about it, scoring exactly four runs per contest would give the Tribe 648 runs on the season, their lowest total since the 1991 season when they lost 105 games. They have three players who have hit over .250 for the season; Grady Sizemore, who also is tied for the team lead in homers with 11, and leads the club in RBI’s with 30, Victor Martinez, who has yet to hit a homer this season, and Ben Francisco, not called up until the beginning of May. It’s that bad.
After a loss a week ago Sunday to the Rangers, the skipper promised some changes. Where are they? Andy Marte is finally getting some at bats, but that has led to Cleveland’s newest game show: How Can Wedgie Get Casey Blake into the Game? Other than Travis Hafner being put on the disabled list, what else has the front office done? Asdrubal Cabrera continues to take his sub-.200 average to the plate, Derek Shelton is still the hitting instructor, and the Tribe still can’t move baserunners or score men from third with less than two out.
Yesterday’s game was a microcosm of this problem. Twice in the first four innings, the Indians had a leadoff double and in each case, the runner never moved. If you are having problems hitting, you have to execute. Jamey Carroll has been a nice addition to the roster, but he has to get Sizemore to third after he leads off with a double. Another at-bat that had viewers shaking their heads was Franklin Gutierrez in the ninth. With a runner on and a 2-0 count, Gutierrez got called for not checking his swing in time on a low and outside breaking ball. If it’s not a fastball, why are you even starting to swing? Your team needs baserunners, and if the Royals are willing to walk you, you must left them.
It’s time for drastic moves. Sizemore has to be moved into the #3 spot in the lineup. Victor Martinez and his sore hamstring has to be dropped out of the cleanup spot. This season is different from 2003 when Shapiro dealt Bartolo Colon because it is not a veteran laden team. According to some reports, Paul Byrd has more market value than you might think, so you may be able to get a young bat in return, probably a minor leaguer. Casey Blake would have some value to a National League team because of his versatility. However, something has to be done. Unbelievably, this team still has a chance. But, not with this current group of players.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 