ap recap :: box score :: game log
They are back at .500! They have not had a winning record at any point this season. Tonight could change that. I am focusing entirely on their record. I still believe that they are not contenders, that their standing in the division will remain at 3rd or 4th, and that they will have a good season if they end up at .500. I'm not convinced that this team, who is looking so good can maintain their current level of play.
What I'm not thinking about
They are moving right up in the division standings. They are now 2 games behind the White Sox and 4 behind the Twins.
As a team, here's how they doing in the American League in batting:
Runs: 2nd
Batting Average: 2nd
On-base %: 1st
Hits: 2nd
Walks: 3rd
SO: 5th
HR: 11th
Their starting pitching ranks 3rd in ERA and that's pretty much the only very good thing about their pitching. The starters are young, give up too many walks and have been robbed of wins by the 'pen. As far as the bullpen is concerned, it's going to take them awhile to dig themselves out of the hole they created.
But it sure will be fun to watch :)
Highlights from last night
Ben Broussard came in to pinch hit in the 8th with the bases loaded and no outs. On the first pitch he hit a homerun. It was the first time a pinch hitter has hit a Grand Slam for the Tribe since 1986. It was only his 2nd of the season. I sure hope its a sign that he's coming out of this awful slump.
Ronnie Belliard went deep in his third straight game. Just what has gotten into The Tongue?
Casey Blake had a great game. He went 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 runs and a solo HR.
Worrisome
Little O committed his 9th error on the season last night.
Jody Gerut and Ben Broussard are apparantly good friends and they've been working on their mechanics at the plate together. Good thing because neither are looking very comfortable up there. Maybe they should take a lesson from Coco ;)
Posted by Elizabeth at June 24, 2004 09:35 AMIt's an interesting turn of events when you wish that Gerut hit as well as Coco!
Maybe Tongue is getting himself pumped up to wreak havoc on his old team, the Rockies, this weekend.
Posted by: Paul at June 24, 2004 10:14 AMOh, Tongue! I certainly hope so. I like the thought of players wanting to stick it to teams that traded them. Thank God we're not playing the Phillies this year (has Thome ever played this well in the 1st half of the season?)
As far as Coco (Go Coco! Go Coco!) is concerned, I read somewhere that he never smiles. What is that all about? I see him putting on that silly grin a lot these days!
Posted by: Elizabeth at June 24, 2004 07:19 PM