From Left Field

Cleveland Wins Series Against Angels

The Tribe is starting to hit. Whatever funk they were in is starting to lift revealing a team that is ready to go on a tear. The bullpen is still maintaining a high level of performance and the starting pitching is good enough to keep them in games. With the addition of an offense, this team is poised to make a run. Get ready Tribe fans; May could shape up to be a nice ride.

Currently, they are 2 games behind Detroit and 6 games behind Minnesota. The White Sox are still dominating the division with an insane record of 25-9. This is the best in baseball. It keeps the Twins at a safe distance of 4.5 games back.

They have the day off today. Then the Indians will play 13 of the next 16 games at the Jake. The 3 away games will be against Cincinnati where I will be in attendance for two of them.

where they stand
season record: 14-19 (.424)
division standing: 4th
games back: 10.5

Another Tough Weekend for Tribe Fans

Well, the Tribe just keeps on losing. They won only one game in Texas. They now sit a whopping 11.5 games behind the first place holder White Sox. Starting pitching is starting to resemble hitting which is the opposite of ideal. I know that it is still very early in the season. I'm keeping some hope that they can become the team that they deserve to be.

I'd sure like to see Wedge take them putt-putt golfing or something to relax and get their mind off baseball. I feel like they are all drowning under pressure because it is precisely in pressure situations that they fall apart. Sure, hitters can get the occasional hit or even homerun, but when they have two strikes against them and especially if runners are on base, they just crumble.

They play in Anaheim for a 3-game series starting tonight. Then they head home and have a blessed day off before hosting Toronto over the weekend.

where they stand
season record: 12-18 (.400)
division standing: 4th
games back: 11.5

Cleveland 0, Minnesota 9

Thursday, 5 May 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

C.C. Sabathia had a breakdown on the mound and as usual the offense wasn't completely ineffective. Radke did pitch a really good game--he was like a puppet master out there controlling the hitters. I'm not concerned about C.C. at all. He'll bounce back.

Off to "Texas" (where do the Rangers play anyway? Dallas?)

where they stand
season record: 11-16 (.407)
division standing: 4th
games back: 9.5

Cleveland 5, Minnesota 4

Wednesday, 4 May 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

It was an exciting ride last night. It should come as no surprise that the least likely player would hit the tie-breaking homerun. I had nearly forgotten that Josh Bard is on the roster.

Millwood looked pretty bad; I won't start worrying until this becomes more of a pattern. I would like to declare that Pronk is officially out of his slump. I'm sure that Wedgie's girls are a lot less embarrassed about naming their cat "Travis Hafner" now that he's back to normal form.

They have a chance for a sweep for the first time this season. C.C. takes the mound this afternoon. Next up: the Rangers in Texas.

where they stand
season record: 11-15 (.423)
division standing: 4th
games back: 8.5

Cleveland 4, Minnesota 2

Tuesday, 3 May 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

Despite the outcome and despite the opponent, there is very little to celebrate here. The Tribe still looks bad and really ought to have lost that game.

where they stand
season record: 10-15 (.400)
division standing: 4th
games back: 8.5

A Tough Weekend for Indians Fans

After breaking out and looking like a.) a team that could contend for the title and b.) like they ought to play on Friday, they reverted to the no offense dynamo that they've been all season. I'm relieved that today is a day off, although it worries me that I look forward to them not playing more than them playing. If they continue to play as they have throughout May, I'm going to have to bury my division title dream and revert to the fan I was last year. Which might not be the worst thing; I was happy and content to see individual improvements. The dream will die hard, but let's face it it's nearly already dead already.

For those who don't know, the Royals (worst team in the AL Central) beat them on Saturday (8-1) and Sunday (6-5).

where they stand
season record: 9-15 (.375)
division standing: 4th
games back: 8.5

Kansas City 0, Cleveland 6

Friday, 29 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

FINALLY! I actually saw the Indians offense "of old" last night for the very first time this season. Actually, everything clicked for them last night: C.C. Sabathia pitched extremely well, the defense didn't commit an error, and the offense actually poked the ball through holes with runners on base. Could this game mark the beginning of the end for their offensive slump? They get two more games against the Royals before heading to that god-awful Metrodome.

u>where they stand
season record: 9-13 (.409)
division standing: 4th
games back: 6.5

Detroit 3, Cleveland 2

Thursday, 28 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

Yep, the mighty Detroit Tigres swept the Indians at the Jake. Give me a "P", give me an "A", give me a "T", give me an "H", give me an "E", give me a "T", give me an "I", give me a "C". What's it spell? PATHETIC! What's it spell? PATHETIC!! Go Tribe......

KC arrives tonight on their brooms.

where they stand
season record: 8-13 (.381)
division standing: 4th
games back: 7.5

Detroit 10, Cleveland 3

Wednesday, 27 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

What the hell is wrong with this team? Why can't they hit? I understand a bad pitching outing--it happens to all good pitchers--but why can't the Indians score any runs? Seriously, what the hell is going on?

where they stand
season record: 8-12 (.400)
division standing: 4th
games back: 7.0

Seattle Series

I was in St. Louis this weekend taking in some Cardinals baseball and probably the best game I've ever seen. The chances that I'll once again be in the stands when a pitcher goes 10 innings without giving up a run are very, very slim. The weather was on the nippy side, but I'd rather that than it being on the hot and humid side. Sorry the picture is a bit dark, but it's the best of the lot. Notice the construction of Busch Stadium II in the background.

As far as Cleveland baseball is concerned, they took 2 of 3 games in Seattle. I haven't read one word about the games but know that C.C. got his first win and Belliard hit a 3-run HR in one of the games.

So, at the end of the weekend, here's where they stand:

season record: 8-11
division standing: 3rd (tied with Detroit)
games back: 7.0

Cleveland 5, LA Angels 6

Thursday, 21 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

Everywhere I look it's how Eric Wedge need a lot of patience. Well, I know that what I need is a weekend away from this awful team. Oh, and how fortuitous, I'm going to St. Louis this weekend to see a real team play the game.

where they stand
season record: 6-10
division standing: 3rd (tied w/Detroit)
games back: 6.0

Cleveland 0, LA Angels 2

Wednesday, 20 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

What more can I say about the team's awful offense? I'm absolutely speechless.

where they stand
season record: 6-9
division standing: 3rd (tied w/Detroit)
games back: 5.0

Cleveland 5, Kansas City 6

Tuesday, 19 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

As I predicted yesterday the game was indeed one of attrition. Between the two teams, they left 24 runners on base. Both teams left loaded bases twice. I think my "favorite" moment was when Victor Martinez, with bases loaded, 1 out and a 3-0 count managed to strikeout on the next 3 pitches. Seriously, this team needs an overhaul. So do the Royals, for that matter, but everyone knew that going into the season. No one predicted such abysmal performances at the plate from Indians especially after they lead the Grapefruit League in offense.

On a happy note, the defense seems to be turning a corner.

On a happier note, the bullpen didn't get overworked in the game since Arthur Rhodes allowed Castillo to homer in the 9th to end the game. I was worried that there wouldn't be enough arms to manage the 2-game series against the Anaheim, er I mean Orange County, er I mean Los Angeles, er I mean........the Angels.

where they stand
season record: 6-8
division standing: 3rd (tied w/Detroit)
games back: 4.0

Cleveland 5, Kansas City 1

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

Minnesota 1, Cleveland 2

Sunday, 17 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

What a wonder: the Indians don't so much win the game as the Twins lost it. J.C. Romero, a Twins setup guy plunked Pronk thereby walking in the go-ahead run. All it took was a little Wickman magic in the 9th and the game was over.

C.C. Sabathia left the game when it was tied, so he didn't get the win (Howry did). He pitched very well, getting ahead in most counts and putting together pitching sequences that kept Twins batters guessing.

Tribe hitters continue to struggle at the plate, but there are signs of hope. Aaron Boone broke out of his 0-11 hitless streak and Ronnie Belliard went yard for the first time this year.

I feel that picking up Jose Hernandez and Alex Cora were two of the best moves that management has made in the last few offseasons. Both defensively and, to a lesser extent, offensively these guys have been solid. I think that having them will really, really help the team this year. At this point, they're probably scratching their heads over how they're to do that when the rest of the team seems determined to lose games :)

where they stand
season record: 5-7
division standing: 3rd (tied w/Tigres)
games back: 3.0

Minnesota 6, Cleveland 4

Saturday 16 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

I cannot begin to relate my absolute frustration with this team right now. I know, I know it's early. But they are playing division teams right now and this is a golden opportunity to take games away from teams that really count. Looks like they'll be battling from behind all season again this year. I just wonder how far back they'll get before this is over.

Looks like Matt Miller is shuffling off to Buffalo to make room for C.C. Sabathia. He is not at all happy with this turn of events. I feel the same. I think that the bullpen has been the only solid part of the team and I hate to see someone who has pitched well go. Jason Davis is supposed to be the next great reliever/closer/even starter, but I say that they should send him down to get more experience. He was too young to hit the bigs last year as was evident when he'd get behind in the count and just try throwing hard instead of pitching his way out of jams. And he ended up in a lot of jams. I have a feeling that we're going to need lots of relief over the next month or so because the starting pitching just doesn't seem up to speed yet. And I'd sure like to have Matt Miller on the mound facing 1 out, 2 runners on, up by 1 run instead of Jason "blow 'em away" Davis.

where they stand
season record: 4-7
division standing: well, depends on how you look at it. Two teams are tied for first, the other three sit 4 games back. So, they are either tied for 3rd or tied for last place.
games back: 4.0

Minnesota 3, Cleveland 2

Friday, 15 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

The game was not much different from the others so far this year: another close game, another loss, more defensive errors, more quiet bats, more serviceable starting pitching, more great bullpen work.

Victor managed to hit a solo homer which is a small pattern itself since it's happened two games in a row.

Coco's hair gets longer with every game. He looks like he belongs in a '70s band like Sly and the Family Stone.

where they stand
season record: 4-6
division standing: 3rd (tied w/KC)
games back: 3.0

Chicago WS 8, Cleveland 6

Thursday, 14 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

I missed the first 4 innings, but was able to catch the rest of the game. I'm wondering the following:

• Is Victor Martinez going to start producing offensively now that he's hit his first homer of the season? His average stands at a measly .188. He's struck out 6 times, driven in 4 runs and has crossed home plate himself 4 times. Keeping in mind the homerun, he's responsible for getting 3 of his teammates across home. He hits 4th in the lineup. Cleanup. What exactly is he cleaning up? For a guy with Jesus in his name, he sure isn't blessed at the plate so far this season.


• When is the defense going to lift itself from the cellar? I think that their woes at getting some easy outs is a current clubhouse cancer and everyone is affected. The errors are putting strain on the pitching staff who routinely have to face extra batters and get 4 outs in an inning. So far they haven't suffered too badly, but it will start to wear on them.


• Who from the pen will shuffle off to Buffalo when C.C. Sabathia makes his '05 debut on Sunday? I'm not even going to venture a guess here. Even if I had Wedgie's phone number, I don't think I'd know who they are going to cut. What worries me the most is that the bullpen has been pitching some spectacular games. But this whole time, they've known that they are in precarious spots (except for David Riske, Arthur Rhodes and Bob Wickman). In essence, they've been in extended spring training waiting for the last cut. Once the decision is made, will they relax and start blowing games again?


• When is Juan Gone returning? Er, not really "returning" exactly, more like showing up? I haven't read Indians press yet today, so there might be news.


• How will they fare against the Twins this weekend? Fortunately they are playing at the Jake not that awful Metrodome. But will home field advantage be enough for a couple of wins? 2004 Cy Young winner Johan Santana who is 2-0 takes the mound tonight against Jake Westbrook who is 0-2.

where they stand
season record: 4-5
division standing: 3rd
games back: 2.0

A Day Off

Thankfully, the Indians are not playing today. I am able to take a breath and assess if my disappointment in the beginning of the season is justified. I know that Paul is frustrated with my apparent lack of perspective ("we've only seen one week"). I understand this, I really do. It's precisely what I have said to others. So why do I feel as I do?

Each year brings with it a fresh start, but it also comes as an extension of years past. Unless they come out of the gates smacking home runs, shutting down opponents bats and making amazing defensive plays, it's hard to not see their defects writ large and to see how over the long haul those defects will keep them from contending (or winning in the playoffs) again. I've been there through some amazingly difficult losses and that heartbreak just doesn't go away. It's like having a relationship with someone and they betray your trust just once. A line is crossed, your heart is broken, you never go back to where you were before it happened. Oftentimes in human relationships, events where you cross that line end up being the death knoll. In sports, its different. You love them, but you can let them go. Or you love them, but you steel yourself from really believing in your team. Or you love them and you just keep getting bruises and flowers, bruises and flowers, again and again again. There is a psychological suffering that is obvious for an outsider, but hard to describe and understand unless you've really experienced it.

In any case, I don't think that I'm the only one gripping my head and moaning when I see quiet bats and amazingly stupid fielding errors. I can forgive as well as the next girl, but those things add up so that each compounds into a large sum. Here's a question for the Indians beat writer Justice B. Hill that could have come from me and many more fans:

The title of Terry Pluto's latest, "Indians Faithful Begging to Believe" is another expression of how Indians fans feel right now. The article, like all of Terry's, is full of perspective and appreciation for the team, while still being honest about the current situation. Terry is a deeply religious guy and his writing reflects this. This comes as no surprise since the relationship we have with the spiritual is similar to our relationship we have with teams: it involves a lot of faith.

While this may explain how I'm feeling about my team, I haven't answered the original implied question in this post: am I justified in taking the perspective of my team as I have done? Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm right.Perhaps this isn't either up for me to answer or a valid question to begin with. All I know is that I can't answer it right now. I'm just going to have to be patient with myself and my team. I think that we both deserve it.

Chicago WS 2, Cleveland 1

Monday, 11 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

It was a pathetic effort by the Tribe. The only player that showed up today was David Riske. It was their HOME OPENER. You'd think that they'd show a little spunk. If this is how it's going to go in the early series against the central division, they might as well declare it over now. I'm not sure if this team is a contender for the title this year. If they don't start looking more like one and less like their movie counterparts, it's seriously over.

Think I'm going overboard? Check the stats.

where they stand
season record: 3-4
division standing: 4 (tied w/KC)
games back: 2.0

A Remarkable Story

OK, so I know that this is filed under 'baseball' because it involves a baseball player, but for all you non-baseball aficionados out there, don't give up on the post now. This article was passed along to me by Paul and it's worth reading. If only to remind us that we're all just human.

Think of it as my gift to you:

For Pulsipher, Down Doesn't Mean Out
by Bill Pulsipher as told to Alan Schwarz
April 7, 2005

Now go unwrap it!!

Cleveland 7, Detroit 6

Sunday, 10 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

After taking a 6-0 lead in the 1st, the Indians looked determined to fritter it away. But they didn't, only allowing the fierce Tigres to come tantalizingly close.

The bullpen is doing what the starting pitchers cannot: pitch well. The starters are completely imploding, don't get me wrong, but they just haven't looked good since Westbrook's initial outing. Jason Davis got the first win of starting pitchers, but that was due more to the offense in the 1st inning. I like that it was Davis who got a win while pitching worse than the 'pen since it was always the inverse last year. Seems like short-term justice to me :) I never thought I'd say this, but the Indians have showed some very solid relief work. Bob Howry was in command, Arthur Rhodes looked good and Bob Wickman came in for the 2-run save and pitched like well. If not for some bloop singles, and you really can't help that kind of crappy hitting, he would have faced 3 batters.

The offense is definitely coming around. They are looking much better at the plate and aren't stranding so many runners. If I had to watch Aaron Boone pop up with bases loaded again I thought I'd cry.

The defense, on the other hand, looks downright terrible. Balls are bobbling around in gloves out there more than the commemorative dolls they give away. It's ugly, ugly, ugly. It feels like AA ball.

So, the Indians head to the Jake for their Home Opener on Monday at .500. Not shabby for a road record, especially when you consider that the "ace" of the pitching staff is still on the DL. The central division is shaping up to be quite even with good balance. I hope that it stays this way (unless the Indians run away with it in June :)

where they stand
season record: 3-3
division standing: 2nd (tied w/3)
games back: 1.0

Cleveland 1, Detroit 11

Saturday, 9 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

Ooh, that game was ugly. Westbrook looked less-than-sharp and the defense, if this is possible, is getting worse by the game. It's been a rollercoaster of a season already and we're just into the second week. Got seatbelt?

where they stand
season record: 2-3
division standing: 3rd (tied w/2)
games back: 2.0

Cleveland 4, Detroit 3

Friday, 8 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

Aaron Boone hit a home run in the 8th to take a 4-2 lead which was nearly blown by the combined effort of himself, Jhonny Peralta and David Riske. Both infielders committed errors that allowed a runner on base and David Riske walked a batter on a full count with bases loaded. Thankfully, he got Higgenson to fly out to Coco Crisp to end the inning. I was fully confident for some reason that the Indians were going to win the game, so when Bob Wickman took the mound with a 1 run lead in the 9th, I wasn't really worried. I wasn't thinking about his last disastrous outing and neither was he apparently. He pitched beautifully, striking out one batter and getting the two other outs on a ground-out and a fly-out.

The funniest moment came when Scott Sauerbeck took the mound to face the left-hander Carlos Pena in the 6th with runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. He threw his first pitch nearly down the third-base line. It was a wild pitch that was truly wild. Because the runners advanced to second and third, thereby giving up the double-play option and Sauerbeck looked so bad, he had to intentionally walk Pena. So his outing looked like this: wild-ass pitch followed by 3 intentional balls. It was the most amusing outing an Indians pitcher has had this season. The fact that it was his debut as an Indian made it all the more hilarious.

where they stand
season record: 2-2
division standing: 2nd place (tied with 3 teams)
games back: 1.0

Cleveland 11, Chicago WS 5

Thursday, 7 April 2005

recap :: box score :: game log

What an ending! The Indians were down by 3 runs going into the 9th inning. Casey Blake, Coco Crisp and Ronnie Belliard all hit solo home runs to tie the game. Coco was down to his last strike. Yes, the White Sox were one strike away from winning the game and sweeping the series. Instead, a fast ball around the letters came flying across the plate and Coco hit it over the right field fence. On the very next pitch, Belliard, who celebrated his birthday in style today, hit one over the left field fence. Nothing much of note happened until the top of the 11th inning when a rally erupted and the Indians came away with a 6-run lead. The White Sox didn't have anyone in the bullpen to pitch, so they had Chris Widger, a backup catcher, warming up. Who knows what would have happened if he would have taken the mound.

This sets up the Indians nicely for their upcoming series in Detroit. They were looking sluggish, both offensively and defensively, but now they seem to have found some energy. Go Tribe!

where they stand
season record: 1-2
division standing: last place (tie)
games back: 1.0

Cleveland 3, Chicago WS 4

Wednesday, 6 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

This game is almost too painful to recount. Wickman blew a 3-run lead in the 9th with meatball pitches right down the heart of the plate. It brought back so many painful memories of last year's start of the season that the loss was even more heartbreaking. Offensively, the Indians looked pretty good, but they just didn't take advantage of opportunities. The score could have easily been 10-0 going into the 9th.

where they stand
season record: 0-2
division standing: last place
games back: 1.0

Cleveland 0, Chicago WS 1

Monday, 4 April 2005

box score :: recap :: game log

What an Opening Day! You couldn't ask for a better game unless you're a knucklehead "fan" who thinks that home runs are the only exciting thing about the game. Cleveland's Jake Westbrook was nearly perfect. Chicago's Mark Buehrle was ever so slightly better. Anyone who blames Jhonny Peralta's defensive error is an idiot. The Tribe was shut down offensively by a pitching performance that puts Buehrle in the early lead for the 2005 Cy Young Award.

Other performances to note included Aaron Boone's defensive outing at 3rd base. He looked good and if he continues playing like that, I feel that the left side of the infield is shored up a bit from last year. Peralta also made an amazing defensive play, unfortunately before the error, so I doubt that many will remember it. Casey Blake looked uncomfortable in right, but that's to be expected since it was his debut game out there. I enjoyed having Grady Sizemore in the lineup and out in center field. I really like Grady. I'm not a big Juan Gonzales fan, so I hope to see a lot more of Grady this year.

It was a bit strange that Omar Vizquel was not at the shortstop position, something that he's done 11 straight opening days for the Tribe. But I really like Peralta and am happy to see him out there.

where they stand
season record: 0-1
division standing : last place
games back: .5

Baseball is Back

Oh, yes, it's that time of year again: baseball preseason is in full gear. The Indians are about to play the Astros in their first game of the preseason. I have the feed coming through the wires and I'm as excited as a kid on the last day of school. Last year I cried when I saw my team take the field. This year, undoubtedly I will again, because I feel close to doing so now and all I've heard so far is Tom Hamilton's voice.

As an intelligent, progressive woman, I sometimes puzzle over the incredible depth of feeling that I have for my team, and for baseball in general. There are many aspects of the game that I don't care for. But the feeling that baseball elicits in me is truly unique and I love it in a way that is hard to describe. There is something incredibly beautiful about baseball. It is an artful game, full of complexities and difficulty, striving and failure, grass and sky.

Cleveland 22, NY Yankees 0

ap recap :: box score :: game log :: last year

Just when you think that you know what's going to happen, the Indians come out of nowhere (again), this time to demolish Yankees pitching while holding their offense scoreless. This game marked the worst loss in Yankees franchise history. Omar Vizquel tied the record for hits in 9 innings with 6. Two batters (Hafner and Gerut) hit 3-run homeruns in the 9th. It was, to say the least, a tremendous outing. Read more if you like :)

I found Mike Bauman's article particularly good.

Toronto 7, Cleveland 6

ap recap :: box score :: game log :: last year

I used to "like" the Blue Jays. They were my "adopted" team back in the '80s. They were good, the Indians sucked and it was a way for my dad to have a baseball fan in the family. It didn't work out too well. I didn't follow them, I didn't really care all that much. My father would say to me periodically "your team won last night" but I didn't really pay attention. What I actually liked was the city of Toronto. We had visited it a couple of times--I was even there sans parents--because we had relatives living there. Of course, they could have sent me to Nome, AK in the middle of winter and I would have loved it there simply based on the fact that I was in the world without my parents.

Now I am most definitely not a fan of the Blue Jays. And I'm becoming less of a fan of umpires these days as well. I used to list the umpires in the old plus column when thinking about baseball compared to other professional sports. I mean, you're not ever going to be a fan of lines people in tennis or referees in football; they make too many mistakes. But umpires, well, I could get behind them. And I still can, for the most part. Perhaps it's just home plate umps that get my goat. Can these guys find the strike zone or at least invent a consistent one for each game? And can they grow up and start understanding that every bit of frustration and anger shown by players is not directed at them? Maybe, just maybe, a player slams his bat down after being called out on strikes because he's frustrated with himself, not the call. Can they hold off on kicking people out of games until after they deserve it, instead of calling them out before they've done anything? By trying to make the game sterile and non-confrontational, they are making it more contentious. Sorry, but I thought that "precogs" were people in the movie Minority Report. As far as I know, its impossible to ascertain future behavior (otherwise, we'd all have made a killing at the track by now).

Yes, the Indians lost last night. I do not place this squarely on the shoulders of the home plate umpire. Sure, he called a strike (3) a ball (4), and by doing so the Jays took the lead. But if the Indians had not gotten themselves into the situation they did, they wouldn't have lost. Let's not forget that bases were loaded with 0 outs when Betancourt left the mound.

So, what's going on with the team? They are now 1 game under .500, having just been 4 games over. Instead of the bullpen rising to the level of the offense and starting pitching, it seems that it is pulling the rest of the team down to its level. Bats are quieting down and starting pitching is in shambles. Cleveland's bullpen has saved just 18 of their 42 opportunities. That means that if the 'pen had done its job and saved just half of those 42 games they lost, the Indians would have a 74-33 record. If they had saved just 1/3 of them, they'd have a 67-40 record. That's Cardinals good. That's Twins (60-45) ass-kicking good. That's just plain good. They lead Major League baseball in key offensive numbers.

But no. It is just a dream that people like David Riske, et al. can hold leads (sometimes BIG leads) given to them. Those leads will be harder to come by now that starting pitching and offense are starting to crack. I still maintain that this team will not be able to keep their excellent offensive numbers going into August--the season is just too long and too strenuous. But it sure would have been nice to be in a position to go on some losing streaks and still stay with the pack!

Boston: A Baseball Player's Hell?

I'm sitting here listening to the Tribe lose to the Blue Jays and heard a very interesting story told by the announcers. Apparently, an Indians player, Lou Merloni who is a native of Boston and who played for the Red Sox, talked with his good friend Nomar Garciaparra last night. For those of you who don't know the latest in the baseball trade world, Nomar was traded to the Cubs and played his first game for the Immature Bears yesterday. He was drafted by the Red Sox in '94 and by '96 he was playing in a Red Sox uniform. According to Lou Merloni, his friend sounded happier than he's ever sounded, having escaped the "fish bowl" that is Bean Town. Lou told him that he's never had so much fun now that he's playing in Cleveland and that he'll (Nomar) start to enjoy baseball again now that he's in Chicago. There's just too much attention, too much pressure on players out there apparently.

I'm sure that if Manny would agreed to a huge pay cut, he'd be more than welcome back in the happy arms of the Tribe :)

KC 8, Cleveland 7

ap recap :: box score :: game log :: last year

"It's embarrassing for me to walk into this clubhouse and look the other guys in the face with the way I've been pitching," said C.C. Sabathia.

I think that if this is how C.C. feels about his pitching, David Riske should voluntarily send himself down to AAA. The man is a nightmare. He's a Burba reincarnate. He needs more help than a day's rest can offer. He needs a break from the bigs. The team needs a break from him. Send him down, Wedgie, please, please, please get rid of this guy! The team is not in contention this year. Might as well bring a young arm up to get him some practice before next season.

Cleveland 7, KC 6

ap recap :: box score :: game log

Can't deny it, this team is exciting. They take a 5 run lead, squander it, save the tie, break the tie. Westbrook looked sloppier than usual. Bob Wickman made it interesting by allowing KC to tie the game in the 9th. Bentancourt was brilliant in 2 innings pitched, striking out 4. But the hero of the game: Omar Vizquel. He was hitless until the 11th when he hit a perfectly-placed triple. Matt Lawton hit a sac fly to score Little O. But that's not all..... In the 9th he threw an absolutely perfect relay to Martinez at home to save the game and send it into extra innings. Without that play, the Royals would have won the game. Watching the play was like watching perfectly choreographed dance. And people say that baseball is boring!

I found a great site yesterday called Retrosheet. I was looking for an archive of box scores because I want to see what the Tribe did last year. All I remember from last year were a lot of base-running mistakes, hitting into double plays, and a distinct lack of plate discipline. It is refreshing to realize that on July 30, 2003 the Indians beat the A's in Oakland.

Seattle 2, Cleveland 1

ap recap :: box score :: game log

I watched the whole game last night with the sound turned off. I'm really not a fan of TV broadcasters and I find that I get much more out of a game when I'm not bothered by their general inanity.

It was a great game. Seattle came into the game on a 11 game losing streak, 21 games from .500 and 17 games back from division leader Texas. In other words, their season is over. Long-time Mariners are becoming flotsam; they traded their pitching ace Freddy Garcia and have released SS Rich Aurilia, C Pat Borders and 1B John Olerud. I suppose if the ship is going to sink, better to go down without so much salary owed to players.

The game was a pitching duel between Jake Westbrook and Joel Pineiro. Pineiro only made one mistake allowing a slumping Jody Gerut to break out and hit a home run. Westbrook hit a batter and then the Mariner rookie Justin Leone hit his first major league home run. Otherwise, there really wasn't any offensive action.

I was very impressed with Westbrook last night. He was usually ahead in the count early with lots of 0-2 and 1-2 counts. His 37-67 ball-strike count reflects this. Plus, he pitched a complete game so the bullpen could have an extra day of rest. I like his delivery--he doesn't have a lot of extra motion and he doesn't flail about and look like he's tipping over after he releases the ball. He maintained his concentration throughout the game and only had one shaky inning. If he hadn't hit Olivo, even if Leone had hit a home run, that would have only tied the game.

Tonight, Cliff Lee is pitching for Cleveland against the Mariner Travis Blackley. Yours truly will be "in the crowd".

A Break for the All-Star Break

Sorry to interrupt the stream of bluebird updates for something so silly as professional baseball to "all" (how many of you are there anyway? I never get comments) who couldn't care less about grown men playing a child's game. But tonight is the All-Star Game and while it is not the mathematical mid-point of the season, it is the unofficial one. In a game so happy with statistics, I find it refreshing to think that the 1st half of the season is slightly longer than the 2nd but no one seems to care.

Before getting to the Indians, I'd like to welcome you all to listen to a very good interview on Fresh Air with Terry Gross. I've been listening to her for years now--I became a regular devotee when I lived in Columbus, OH back in '97. I worked nights, so during the day I would be driving around town going to libraries, the grocery store, etc and inevitably the show would be on. I still have a palpable memory of sitting in my old Camry in the Kroger parking lot until the show concluded because I was so engrossed. Aside aside, here's a link to a show with Michael Sokolove, author of The Ticket Out: Darryl Strawberry and the Boys of Crenshaw. Even if you are not at all interested in baseball, this interview is great and definitely worth listening to.

My mom sent me an email this morning letting me know that Cleveland has been named "The Most Tortured Sports City" by the folks at ESPN(2). Her message simply said "Just thought that you might want to know this if you don't already." Very well said, Mom, very well said. I know that I do not suffer nearly as much as most Land of Cleve fans since I loathe the Browns and dismiss the Cavs as a basketball-lite (yes, even with LeBron). And my sunny and hopeful optimism about life (this said solely for the purpose of people who truly know me to get a belly laugh) keeps me going through all the near misses that the Indians have had in the last decade. But every once in awhile, I feel my enthusiasm and patience waning. I want to win BIG, dammit! Paul thinks that I'm too tough on the players because I do occasionally unleash a torrent of fury on one of them. But he's a Cardinals fan. What does he know of torment? Sure they've lost heart-breakers, but those are more than evened out by the fact that they are one of the winningest baseball franchises. But that's the past? OK, how about this year. "Experts" said they'd have a decent year, but boy are they proving everyone wrong. They are kicking some serious ass over in the NL. Only the mighty Yanks have a better record and that hold is very tenuous. Unless they become injury plagued I see no reason why this team isn't headed for the playoffs.

Jealously aside, where are the Indians now that we're mid-way through the season? A whopping five players are All-Stars. They are 3 under .500 and 5½ games out of 1st place. They are talking about winning the division. They are better than average in the AL in batting in all major categories except for HRs. They are worse than average in the AL in pitching in all major categories period.

Here's what I think. They won't win the division without making some trades and it's questionable if they are going to do that. Second-half pushes for division titles can be costly in the long run and I wonder if the front office is thinking seriously about making a gamble like this. I'm a frugal person (some might say cheap), so I liked the trolling of the cast-offs in an attempt to put together a bullpen, but I realize now that we need to buy some experienced talent. I think that the Tribe has managed to home-grow some starting pitchers, but we need guys who can maintain leads or at least keep the surprisingly good offense in the game. Just like the teams in the '90s this team can make up deficits in the late innings. It doesn't help when they gain a couple of runs in an inning only to give up a couple.

But seriously, even with a good trade or two, I don't think that this is the breakout year of the Tribe. Don't get me wrong, they are much improved since last year. Even though they lead the AL in failed steal attempts, they are a lot more successful at getting free bases. Plate discipline has definitely improved in most players that needed to stop swinging at every pitch in the dirt (yes, Coco, I mean you). They look better defensively, but Casey Blake's recent clumsiness is worrisome and Jody Gerut still doesn't look comfortable out in right field. Belliard compensates for poor movement (read: he's out of shape) by playing in shallow right, but that makes it tough to turn double plays on weakly hit grounders unless the pitcher can get to the ball which is unlikely because they have a penchant for falling off the mound after each pitch.

I think that besides pitching keeping them out of the running (which, granted, can be amended by some trades), I think that the major reason that they won't become division champs (and I sincerely hope to eat these words): I doubt that they have staying power over the long haul. Most of them haven't played enough full seasons in the majors to be conditioned for it. Plus, there's always the wild card problem that is injury and who knows who will throw out their back or injure their bicep or tear a ligament. There are some hungry, hungry minor leaguers just itching for their chance to show off their stuff in the bigs (Peralta, Sizemore, Phillips) and they just might get their chance.

Bottom line: it'll be fun, it'll be a close race to .500, it'll be the pre-breakout season for this young team that is deserving of many compliments and happy futures. And again, I really do hope that I eat my words.

Chicago WS 7, Cleveland 1

ap recap :: box score :: game log

Boy am I glad that I was doing some good for injured/abandoned wildlife while the game was on! It was a slow day at Wildcare and I was tempted to hop on the computer to check in, but I held back. Didn't want to ruin that rush of happiness when I would arrive home and check the outcome:P

From the box score, I gather that our offense was rendered ineffective, especially with men in scoring position. It not that they didn't get hits, they just didn't translate into runs. And Westbrook (6-4) pitched really well. In six innings, he allowed only 4 hits and no earned runs with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. This should help his already low 2.77 ERA (there's some guy out there playing fantasy baseball who got stuck with Westbrook at the beginning of the season loving him now).

On Friday they start a 3-game Interleague series against the Colorado Rockies at the Jake. The way the offense has been connecting, too bad they aren't played at Coors Field where the high altitude definitely helps the ball fly free. Interleague play is good for nothing!

Cleveland 9, Chicago WS 5

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 ;)

Chicago WS 11, Cleveland 9

ap recap :: box score :: game log

It was a heartbreaker. The Indians came back from a 8-run deficit only to lose in the 10th because of a 2-run HR by Jose Valetin. Urg.

Tonight brings another shot at the W.Sox. You have to love baseball if for only the fact that you don't have to wait a week to see your team play!

What you don't see every day
Coco Crisp, Ronnie Belliard, and Matt Lawton hit homers. These guys are lead-off hitters--what are they doing going deep?

A theory verified
Last week, I hypothesised that the reason Coco was starting to hit was because of Escobar being sent down. Apparantly, both players were told that one of them would be sent down. That night, Coco went 4-4. He hasn't stopped.

Relief on its way?
Bob Wickman is getting regular pitching outings in Akron and apparantly is feeling good. Jack-in-the-Box (as I call him) could be a huge shot in the arm for the team, especially the bullpen. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but with all the rehabbers and the talent playing for the Aeros, I wish I lived in Akron again! I'd be at Canal Park every week :)

Cleveland 5, Chicago WS 1

ap recap :: box score :: game log

Whoo-hoo! In one fell swoop, the Indians have made it to .500, gained a game on the White Sox and inched a ½ game closer to Minnesota. I watched most of the game, but I would get a bit nervous, so I puttered around the house during some of it. I haven't felt that way about an Indians game in years--since the '01 playoffs to be exact. I realize now how supporting a non-contending team has its advantages! You get to laugh at their mistakes instead of cringe and there's no anxiety during games. If they win, great; if not, there's always tomorrow. But now I find myself with a team that is actually contending for 1st place in their division. My guess is that this status will be short-lived because I don't see how on earth this team can keep it together until August. But right now...today...they are in a position to overtake the number 2 team and get within 1 of the leaders. Incredible.

With the dominance of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central, things have been happy around the house this spring. I wonder what the summer will hold.

Cleveland 5, Atlanta 2

ap recap :: box score :: game log

So far, Inter-league games have come down to pitching. Against the Reds, it was all about their bullpen not being able to hold onto leads. Against Atlanta it was all about starting pitching: the Indians won because of Cliff Lee and Jason Davis, Atlanta because of Byrd.

Once again, the Indians find themselves in position to hit .500. I sure wish that they could make it a game or two above .500 so that they could fall to it every once in awhile instead of always having to reach it!

Tonight begins a 4-game series against their division rivals the Chicago White Sox. They are currently 3.5 games behind the White Sox who trail the Twins by 1.5 games. There are so many possibilities about what could happen over the next 4 days, it makes my head spin. What upsets me is that because Fox Sports Chicago is evil (don't ask me why, it'll send my blood pressure through the roof), I won't be able to see any of the games! You better believe I'll be listening to the radio broadcast though!

Atlanta 4, Cleveland 0

ap recap :: box score :: game log

I watched 6 innings of yesterday's game against the Braves. Then it became too painful. I just couldn't stop thinking about '95 and how the Tribe offense met the Braves pitching and how poorly that worked out for the Indians. According to the Braves' announcers, starting pitching has been a problem this year for that team, although it certainly wasn't a problem last night. Paul Byrd pitched 7 shutout innings giving up a mere 4 hits and 0 walks. The only player that had Byrd's number was Matt Lawton who had 3 hits off the guy (and reached base another time on an error). He has increased his hitting streak to 16 games; a tie for his career best. Other than that, the Tribe just couldn't get on base, let alone get the ball into the outfield.

Jake Westbrook didn't look his sharpest on the mound, which didn't help matters. He gave up 8 hits and 4 earned runs in 5 innings pitched while striking out 4 and walking 1. The 2 homeruns hit were costly. He did, however, manage to keep his ERA under 3.00 and should still lead the AL.

In the 4th inning, Omar Vizquel left the game after attempting to bare-hand a ball. Hopefully his hand is alright and will be in the lineup today. I miss Omar when he's not in the field.

Skipper Eric Wedge was tossed after correctly arguing a bad call. The second base umpire called Coco Crisp out on a stolen base attempt and the replay clearly showed that he was safe.

With this loss, the Indians are yet again 2 games from .500 and 4.5 games behind the division leader Minnesota Twins.

Cleveland 4, Atlanta 2

ap recap :: box score :: game log

I didn't see the game, but apparantly it was quite an outing for pitcher Cliff Lee.

"After facing only four Atlanta Braves batters, Cliff Lee had given up three hits and a run, and his pitching coach was at the mound.

But the Cleveland Indians' left-hander wasn't worried because he knew he was throwing strikes...." ap recap

NY Mets 6, Cleveland 2

ap recap :: box score :: game log

Oh, that elusive .500 mark! The Indians have squandered another chance to pull even on the season. I stopped watching the game once it went into a rain delay. At that point it was the top of the 5th and they were tied at 0.

Now Cleveland heads south to take on the Braves. Can we say '95? A lot has changed for both teams since that World Series. Both teams are struggling, each are a couple of games below .500 and neither are projected to win their divisions. Sounds like an intriguing matchup. I think that it should go the Indians way, but I've been wrong just about each and every time I predict an outcome for the Tribe this year. We're heading to the Indy JazzFest tonight, so I won't see game 1 of the series.

Cleveland 9, NY Mets 1

ap recap :: box score :: game log

I didn't watch the game last night because I was indulging in free Showtime movies. I did happen to break away from movie watching to view C.C. Sabathia's 2nd at bat noting that he had a single in his 1st, that they made him bunt, and that he struck out on 3 pitches. Why not let C.C. swing? He pitched to near perfection last night. Throw the guy a bone.

With the win, the Tribe is once again one game away from .500. Can they do it? Can they tie their losses with wins?

Kudos to the Cardinals who remain in 1st place in their division with the best record in the NL, somehow managing to be 11 games over .500! I honestly didn't believe that this team had it in them to be this good.

NY Mets 7, Cleveland 2

ap recap :: box score :: game log

The Indians 4-game winning streak ended in a poor showing last night. Some individual's streaks continue, however. Matt Lawton had three singles Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Victor Martinez went 1-for-3 Tuesday, extending his hitting streak to 13. Travis Hafner is batting .381 (8-for-21) with four doubles and three RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.

Had the Indians won last night, they would have hit the .500 mark for the first time all season and pulled within 4 games of 2nd place and 4.5 games of 1st.

Jason Davis was responsible for all 7 runs in last night's game. His ERA has ballooned to 5.72. He managed to strikeout 4, but he walked 3. His walks are a problem; he ranks 6th in the AL with 35 on the season. Maybe he just likes pitching out of the stretch ;)

Cleveland 14, Baltimore 0

ap recap :: box score :: game log

I wasn't able to see this game and I sure am sorry that I missed it! Jake Westbrook continues to pitch like a bonafide ace, having a 4-hit complete game shutout today. He now leads the AL in ERA. I don't have a real stat here, but I don't imagine that any Cleveland pitcher has lead the League in ERA since well, maybe Bob Feller. Any corrections to this idea welcomed.

Why?
Alex Escobar's demotion to Buffalo puzzles me. I understand needing a backup catcher while Victor was injured, but why send Escobar down? I didn't realize that he was having a bad time of it, and if I were to pick an OF to send down it would have been Coco Crisp. Of course, maybe Alex's departure has lighted a fire under Coco's ass who had another banner day. Now that Victor is healed and playing, they are threatening to bring up up OFs Raul Gonazlez, Mark Little or Russell Branyan. Oh, I'll take Escobar over Branyan *any* day, as would hitting coach hall-of-famer Eddie Murray who apparantly hates the guy. I'd heard it said that Murray uses Branyan as an example to the young hitters of how not to have a major league career.

Cleveland 10, Cincinnati 8

ap recap :: box score :: game log

The Battle of Ohio is over and the Indians are the 3-time victors! They won each game by coming back in late innings. I cannot describe the excitement the games elicited in this house this weekend. To watch my team beat up on another team's bullpen was absolutely delightful since I've seen the opposite too many times this season.

My love of the Indians began in 1995 when I lived in Cleveland and they went to the World Series. I didn't become a regular season fan (read: true fan) until '99 when I moved to Indiana and started listening to the games via the internet (back then the feed was free). The "Indians of the 90s" as they are commonly called, but in actuality exsited from '94-'01 were dominated by strong offense. Pitching was fairly weak, although there were the bright stars of the day and the bullpen could hold its own when it needed to (although I would cringe when Dave Burba would take the mound). Those were the halcyon days when a 4-run deficit going into the 8th wouldn't cause much consternation and I would think to myself "oh, this one's in the bag". No kidding. The offense was that good.

Those days are over, replaced by the incredibly youthful Indians of the day. They are described as "rebuilding" by the baseball pundits, but I don't really see it that way since what I believe will emerge won't resemble the teams of the '90s. Rebuilding towards division leaders, yes; rebuilding towards offense-oriented teams, no. This time, I think they are blazing a new trail towards balanced offense, defense and pitching. And because of the balance, they have the potential to last longer and be deeper than anything that has existed recently.

The series against the Reds this weekend has gone far in cementing my love for the team. They never gave up and there was someone who stepped in right when they were needed. The bullpen was strong and therefore allowed the offense to come back.

Something you don't see every day:
Coco Crisp was intentionally walked in the 8th. He had an amazing series outrunning throws to 1st, stealing bases, and hitting. He jumped on two pitches high and a bit inside that seemed made for his bat driving one down the right field line for a bases-clearing double yesterday and a 2-run homerun today. Last year Coco annoyed me to no end because he had nearly no plate discipline. The Coco I saw this weekend was not the Coco of the past year.

Continues to impress:
Ronnie Belliard deserves to start at 2nd base in the All-Star Game. Not only is he getting on base and driving in runs, but he's made some great defensive plays in the field.

Looked shaky, but will come around:
Ben Broussard is slumping.

Cliff Lee gave up a couple HRs today and didn't look his sharpest. He was also ejected by an "activist" umpire who jumped way too quickly to the conclusion that a ball up and inside (read: near his head) to Griffey Jr. was intentionally thrown. These young upstart umpires promoted after a recent umpire strike have been a constant thorn in the game, imho. They are too concerned with heading off problems before they begin and in doing so do not allow the natural progression of the game to occur. They seem to go into games thinking that something bad is going to happen and that it is their job to prevent it. Instead they should concentrate more on calling pitches well and the play on the field, dealing with incidents calmly and astutely when they occur. It is very important for umpires to gain the respect of the players and coaches, but when they act rashly and take the "tough guy" attitude they get only the opposite.

Something to look forward to:
Victor Martinez remains day-to-day and is likely to hop back into the lineup very soon. No DL thankfully.

Bob Wickman might very well make it back to the 'pen after the All-Star Break.

How About That Tribe?!

Game 3 of the series against the Reds is going on as I type, but I just wanted to sing the praises of the Indians for their play over the past 2 games. With a bullpen which has given up 14 leads, this team has somehow come from behind to win the last 2. They even managed to win one in the god-awful uniforms of the 70's. Oh, they looked hideous. Apparently, the story goes that the team who had to wear them on a daily basis became so feed up with them that a player piled them up in the clubhouse, doused them with lighter fluid and was about to set them afire when the team captain appeared on the scene and convinced him to postpone the inferno. He went to management, explained the players' feelings and managed to get a change in design that staved off a future rebellious bonfire. The uniforms were given (hopefully after a good cleaning) to charity to be auctioned off.

Well-deserved Kudos to Westbrook

Cleveland's Jake Westbrook named American League Player of the Week

Daygame

As I work on the design of this weblog, I'm listening to the radio broadcast of the Indians game. As a sure sign of spring baseball obsession, I also have the TV tuned to the Cardinals/Brewers game. I'm afraid to turn around, though, because the last time that I did, the Cards were down 4-11.

The Indians, on the other hand, have been a source of joy. I can't really comment on D'Amico's pitching because I can't see it. Also, I listen for matt Underwood's signature "excited tone" that he adopts when something big happens. I can, however, comment on the Royals' Affeldt. He has somehow managed to balk, not once, but twice in 4 innings! He is obviously having control problems as well because the Indians have had 9 hits and 6 runs already (it's the 6th inning).

Hit Parade

Last night's Indians game was wonderful to watch. Now, don't get me wrong, it's always great to watch them, but when they win (big), it adds that extra something.

I wasn't very impressed with Cliff Lee's pitching. He seemed to lack control and was too often behind in the count with runners on. He must have spend 75% of his time pitching out of the stretch. Fortunately, he held his own enough to keep the damage to a minimum and he had some hot bats to keep him very much in the game.

For the box score or a recap