Monday, 18 April 2005
box score :: recap :: game log
I missed a lot of the game, so I don't have many comments about it. What I saw of Cliff Lee was impressive; he pitched 7 innings posting a 0.00 ERA with 2 hits and 2 walks. His ball-strike ratio of 39-65 wasn't the best, and I think that he's going to have to improve that when they play better teams. I believe that he managed to strike out 5 and keep the Royals scoreless to a big extent because their offense was very shaky.
Bullpen pitching was cursed by the announcers who kept pointing out that Betancourt hadn't allowed a hit in 9 innings pitched. So, of course the Royals were destined to get at least one run off him. Fortunately, it was just that one run. Hey, have I mentioned how great it is not having Scott Stewart, Jose Jimenez and Rick White in the bullpen this year? By this time last year, the bullpen had already blown 4 saves and their ERA was hovering close to 8.00. Of course, the Tribe offense was actually scoring runs and creating save situations for the bullpen to blow. This year, the offense is terrible and the bullpen is great. Go figure.
They play the Royals again today and have a chance to get their record to .500 something that was ever elusive last year as you may or may not recall. The Royals don't have much going offensively this year either, so it may be a long slow battle of attrition this afternoon. It's not being broadcast on TV, so I'll be tuning into the WTAM broadcast.
where they stand
season record: 6-7
division standing: 3rd (tied w/Detroit)
games back: 3.0