The last two nights have been maddening losses for the Cleveland Indians, but still thanks to the division they play in, the Tribe is still just 6-1/2 games out of first place. The bullpen problem has reared its ugly head once again, as Monday they blew a 12-7 lead, and last night Jensen Lewis couldn’t hold the Brewers in check allowing them to extend one run leads twice.
It seems the grand plan is to get healthy, which, when you think about it, really isn’t a plan at all. In the meantime, Eric Wedge and Mark Shapiro have changed some things, but others are getting tough to watch.
It’s a little like hoping that winning the lottery will solve your financial problems.
The first change Wedge made was benching Jhonny Peralta after his horrible, seemingly disinterested game on Monday. Peralta struck out three times, and wasn’t close to hitting the ball in either of his last two at bats. He appeared to be going through the motions.
Peralta may be unhappy about moving the 3B, but he needs to get over it. The skipper should sit him down (which he probably has) and tell him, he’s can’t play the spot anymore, and if he can’t get around that, it’s going to jeopardize his spot in the major leagues. There is no question the Indians’ defense is better with Asdrubal Cabrera or even Luis Valbuena at SS, instead of Peralta.
There is no doubt he is letting this affect his hitting.
After Monday night, I don’t think the manager could look the other 24 players in the eye if he put Peralta in the starting lineup in the following game. I still think a trade would be the best remedy here, because the player has not improved since his breakout season in 2005, and I don’t think he is mentally tough enough to play on a winner.
More changes are needed, however. The Indians will tell you they don’t have any alternatives in the bullpen, but can anyone explain how Jensen Lewis has remained on the roster for the entire season? Lewis has allowed eight home runs in 34 innings, and although he throws strikes, he doesn’t throw quality strikes. Wedge is hiding him in long relief, but he had an opportunity to keep the team in the game last night, but couldn’t do it.
The Tribe needs an alternative to Ben Francisco in the outfield. Francisco is a fourth outfielder, but playing him every day has exposed his weakness, which is he is an out maker. He doesn’t walk much, and he doesn’t do a good job at situational hitting.
They also need a starter who can give them more than five innings, which it seems is all Jeremy Sowers can give them. How many times have we seen Sowers sail through the first three innings, only to see him struggle in the fourth and fifth frames? By the way, walking a slap hitter like Jason Kendall under any circumstances in bad pitching.
Because of the division they play in, the Indians can still salvage their season. However, it isn’t going to happen unless a bold move is made. I’m sure Mark Shapiro is working the phones to try to make his team better, but something has to be done. Once again, waiting for the injured players to return isn’t enough. Grady Sizemore may still need surgery, and counting on Jake Westbrook, coming off major elbow surgery is fool’s gold.
HELP!!!!
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 