Spring Training Games
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I figured I'd start up a thread to get some discussion on the actual games. I'll try to keep it pretty up to date.
Here's the lineup from the first game against the Giants
CF - Sizemore
3B - Derosa
SS - Peralta
C - Martinez
1B - Garko
LF - Francisco
2B - Carroll
DH - Santana
RF - Crowe (Choo is in Hawaii with the Korean team for the World Baseball Classic)
SP - Sowers
Notes:
Renteria got the first hit and scored the first run of the year. No, I still haven't gotten over it.
Lincecum pitched one nice inning. I love watching him...kind of glad and sad we don't see him much.
Zach Jackson the first out of the bullpen after two solid innings from Sowers. Could be our long reliever?
On his second AB, DeRosa worked an 0-2 count to full, then hit a 3-run bomb to left. People have been raving about his work ethic, not a bad debut.
Frank Viola was on the air, praised Lee and Fausto. Said most people don't know how good Reyes is, mentioned his changeup. Complimented Sowers and Jackson and called Huff a sleeper for later in the year.
Mujica got shelled. Leadoff walk, moved runner, 2-run shot from Ishikawa, single, fixated on the runner on first (who ended up stealing), 2-run shot, fly out to the warning track, ground ball to end the inning.
Ellis Burks likes everything about Michael Brantley.
Stephen Head had a pretty good bomb to right in the 7th inning. I'd never heard of him before, here's Lastoria's write up. http://www.indiansprospectinsider.com/2009...34-stephen.html
LaPorta made a pretty good play in left to save a run. Could be better out there than I assumed.
Matt Herges looked good. 1-2-3 inning in the 9th.
LaPorta almost played hero in the bottom of the 9th. Down 3 with 2 men on, had the count at 3-0 and flied out to the warning track.
And that's about it. Hopefully I find a way to catch today's game against the Diamondbacks. Feel free to keep the discussion going.
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The lineup for today
CF - Sizemore
3B - DeRosa
C - Shoppach
1B - Mills
LF - LaPorta
RF - Head
2B - Cabrera
SS - Merchan
DH - Espino
SP - Laffey
notes:
Couldn't turn it on until the 4th inning. So I'll start from there.
Laffey went 2 innings, gave up 2 hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 unearned run.
Lewis relieved him, no hits, 1 walk. Rundles followed, 1 inning, 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned.
LaPorta homered off Dan Haren in the 2nd.
I guess I turned it on at the right time. Tribe scores 3 runs in the 4th. Head, Cabrera, Merchan, Espino, Sizemore with the rally.
LaPorta with another good play in left. Catching a fly against the wall.
Jack Cassel got roughed up. Hopefully the Patriots talk (he's Matt's brother) stays to a minimum.
LaPorta with a deep bloop single, but stretches it into 2.
DeRosa said he's really impressed with Choo. Loves his power.
Barfield is in Center Field. With Wedge wanting to rest Sizemore more this year and Gutz in Seattle, there aren't any pure CFs in waiting anymore. This will be interesting. Might help Crowe's case for some time in Cleveland.
Tomo Ohka gets shelled. One inning, 7 hits, 6 runs, 2 earned.
Jordan Brown looks like he's had 3 errors at first. Doesn't look very cool out there.
Merchan looks pretty good at short.
It's pretty painful watching these minor league bullpens try to finish games. Can't wait for the days of Perez-Lewis-Wood.
Final score Diamondbacks 15, Indians 9.
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I liked Laffey today. He was solid.
While I absolutely love his attitude, I've never been a huge Laffey fan. But he sure looked in command today.
LaPorta is not far away. I'm not sure he wouldn't be a better option than BF in left field right now. He's just a good ballplayer.
If he continues to play this way I don't think the Tribe can keep him down.
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Agreed on LaPorta. He looks like a real pro at the plate, and he's been pretty good in left. I still don't see anyone but Francisco in left on opening day, but that could be a short leash if LaPorta keeps this up.
Santana looks like he's ready for the big leagues too. Miniscule sample I know, but I like him in the box.
It's going to be a lot of fun watching those two and Brantley. Hopefully Huff and Miller get some innings soon.
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Agreed on LaPorta. He looks like a real pro at the plate, and he's been pretty good in left. I still don't see anyone but Francisco in left on opening day, but that could be a short leash if LaPorta keeps this up.
Santana looks like he's ready for the big leagues too. Miniscule sample I know, but I like him in the box.
It's going to be a lot of fun watching those two and Brantley. Hopefully Huff and Miller get some innings soon.
Agreed on LaPorta. He looks like a real pro at the plate, and he's been pretty good in left. I still don't see anyone but Francisco in left on opening day, but that could be a short leash if LaPorta keeps this up.
Santana looks like he's ready for the big leagues too. Miniscule sample I know, but I like him in the box.
It's going to be a lot of fun watching those two and Brantley. Hopefully Huff and Miller get some innings soon.
Maybe it's just me, but I think Santana looks like a small version of Big Pappy at the plate.....His stance is so similiar!
It's easy to see this kid is special. When he swings the bat it explodes. I also loved his ability to work the count. He showed more discipline than most of the major league hitters in those back to back walks on Thursday.
I think you are right....He could be playing for some teams right now. What a wonderful problem to have!
I'm looking forward to seeing Huff. During the interviews with various coaches, I've heard his name mentioned as much or more than anyone. The Indians are really high on this kid.
I know Ben will probably be startng in left, but I'd love to see LaPorta hit so well that it makes a tough decision for them.
As important as his bat is, that play in left field Friday is going to go a long way in his getting to the Indians quickly.
I'm sure Wedge loved seeing him make that play.
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If it was me, unless LaPorta has a bad spring, I would keep him on the team and start him day one in left and let that be that.
I just I just don't see Ben Francisco being more than a bench guy.
Playing LaPorta wouldn't weaken the team any more than it is with Francisco, and will pay dividends as the season progresses.
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Thanks so much for posting this, CIMO. I was on the road and missed much of the games and your words were a thing of beauty. Play-effing-ball.
Beanpot
Thanks so much for posting this, CIMO. I was on the road and missed much of the games and your words were a thing of beauty. Play-effing-ball.
Beanpot
I hate to be a wet blanket.........
It's nice to see actual games going on. baseball being played in the during the day, reminds us in NE Ohio and elsewhere that Spring isn't actually all that very far away.
Keep in mind that Hitters are ahead of Pitchers this time of year in camp
And Camp is actually a week longer this year because of the WBC.
Because of the higher elevation, baseballs are also going to fly out of Goodyear a lot easier
If Laporta is still mashing 3 weeks down the road he would have an outside chance at making the ballclub if an injury occured, otherwise he starts the Year in AAA and gets comfortable there
Santana hasn't played but 2 games at the AA level, That's where he begins his year, AA Akron
He doesn't even begin to smell MLB pitching on a rugular basis until probably 2011
But keep on raking you guys, it's nice to talk about something positive in Cleveland Sports for a change
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Yeah, I know Santana won't be in Cleveland any time in 2009 barring emergency. He's definitely on the fast track though. And like I said, Francisco will start off in Left, but if LaPorta keeps up his play at the plate and in left.....and Francisco struggles? It will lead to an interesting decision.
I missed today's game unfortunately, hopefully I get time to watch it tomorrow. Heard Victor hit two bombs, not a bad start.
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I haven't even been able to catch the highlights of the last three games, so anyone who watched them can let us know of anything interesting.
Just from checking the box scores....
Fausto goes two innings, two hits, a strikeout, no walks, no runs....in his first spring training start.
Huff goes two innings, 4 hits, a strikeout, a walk, a homer and two runs.
Pavano with two perfect innings, no strikeouts.
Scott Lewis, two scoreless innings, two strikeouts, one walk.
Sowers now has 4 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 2 K's.
For the bullpen...
Jensen Lewis now has 2 innings, no runs, no hits, 1 walk, 1 K.
Perez has 3 innings, 1 hit, 1 run, 3 K's.
Betancourt with 1 perfect inning, 1 K.
Kobayashi 1 inning, 2 hits, 3 K's.
Mujica has 2 innings, 2 losses, 5 hits, 2 homers, 5 earned runs.
Notable batters...
Peralta homers today. Now batting .500
LaPorta and Sizemore also batting .500
Shoppach still hitless on 5 ABs with 3 K's.
Garko has 1 hit in 7 ABs.
Aubrey, DeRosa, LaPorta, Head, Peralta, Francisco all with 1 HR. Victor with 2.
Still hoping to be able to get back to watching these games.
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I haven't even been able to catch the highlights of the last three games, so anyone who watched them can let us know of anything interesting.
Just from checking the box scores....
Fausto goes two innings, two hits, a strikeout, no walks, no runs....in his first spring training start.
Huff goes two innings, 4 hits, a strikeout, a walk, a homer and two runs.
Pavano with two perfect innings, no strikeouts.
Scott Lewis, two scoreless innings, two strikeouts, one walk.
Sowers now has 4 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 2 K's.
For the bullpen...
Jensen Lewis now has 2 innings, no runs, no hits, 1 walk, 1 K.
Perez has 3 innings, 1 hit, 1 run, 3 K's.
Betancourt with 1 perfect inning, 1 K.
Kobayashi 1 inning, 2 hits, 3 K's.
Mujica has 2 innings, 2 losses, 5 hits, 2 homers, 5 earned runs.
Notable batters...
Peralta homers today. Now batting .500
LaPorta and Sizemore also batting .500
Shoppach still hitless on 5 ABs with 3 K's.
Garko has 1 hit in 7 ABs.
Aubrey, DeRosa, LaPorta, Head, Peralta, Francisco all with 1 HR. Victor with 2.
Still hoping to be able to get back to watching these games.
I haven't even been able to catch the highlights of the last three games, so anyone who watched them can let us know of anything interesting.
Just from checking the box scores....
Fausto goes two innings, two hits, a strikeout, no walks, no runs....in his first spring training start.
Huff goes two innings, 4 hits, a strikeout, a walk, a homer and two runs.
Pavano with two perfect innings, no strikeouts.
Scott Lewis, two scoreless innings, two strikeouts, one walk.
Sowers now has 4 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 2 K's.
For the bullpen...
Jensen Lewis now has 2 innings, no runs, no hits, 1 walk, 1 K.
Perez has 3 innings, 1 hit, 1 run, 3 K's.
Betancourt with 1 perfect inning, 1 K.
Kobayashi 1 inning, 2 hits, 3 K's.
Mujica has 2 innings, 2 losses, 5 hits, 2 homers, 5 earned runs.
Still hoping to be able to get back to watching these games.
Huff looked really bad. I was surprised because I've heard more praise of him than any of the young arms. Everything he threw was up in the strike zone. Even the outs were blasts.
Carmona's appearance was obvioulsy a warm up appearance. I don't think he threw more than a couple sinkers. It was almost all fastballs. His velocity looked great. Looked like he was hitting his spots.
Mujica is....Well, no other way to put it....Worthless.
I love Scott Lewis. If he continues to pitch like this I really don't know how they keep him off the opening day roster. The kid has done nothing but pitch well since the call up last year. I think he and Laffey both have to be there.
Carmona
Lee
Pavano
Laffey
Lewis
Allow Reyes to continue coming back slowly in Columbus.
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