StackEm's Cleveland Indians Franchise (MLB08:The Show)

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Re: StackEm's Cleveland Indians Franchise (MLB08:The Show)

Indians Manager Eric Wedge ponders strategy during yesterday's loss at home to the Yankees.

Cleveland, OH - Indians' manager, Eric Wedge, today sent Left Fielder Ben Francisco back to AAA Buffalo and called up in-form starter Jeremy Sowers. It is hoped that Sowers can provide some depth to the starting rotation and drop the Indians' ERA below the current statistic of over 5.00. Sowers will slot into Adam Miller's place in the rotation, while Miller heads to the bullpen for relief work after 2 defeats in his two starts so far this season. Ben Francisco never started and only managed a handful of pinch-hit scenarios, never culminating in a base hit.

It is hoped that Sowers will start against the Yankees later this evening as the Tribe battle to find their winning ways. "We're sending Ben back to Triple-A to touch up on his plate discipline. We were happy with his performances, the kid just needs a bit of time" Wedge added. "He (Sowers) has played well in Triple-A and we need that kind of performance right now. It was the right time to call him up. He'll do well."

Wedge certainly holds faith in both Sowers and Francisco, but feels Sowers influence is necessary immediately. The Yankees come into Cleveland this evening on the back of a win at Progressive Field yesterday and boasting the Major's best record at 17-7. Sowers will have his hands full with the hard-hitting Yanks but his performances in Triple-A have warranted an early-season call up.

Yankees @ Indians. Tonight at 4:05 ET.

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Re: StackEm's Cleveland Indians Franchise (MLB08:The Show)

Roster Moves Prior to Games;

4-26-08
NYY: Billy Traber sent down Shelley Duncan recalled
ATL: Brent Lillibridge called up Phil Stockman sent down
CLE: Ben Francisco sent down Jeremy Sowers recalled to start today
LAA: Kendry Morales sent down Jose Arredondo recalled
LAA: Sean Rodriguez sent down Rich Thompson recalled
LAD: Nomar back to DL Blake DeWitt recalled
BOS: Sean Casey -- DL Brandon Moss called up
TOR: Adam Lind called up Joe Inglett sent down
TEX: Kazuo Fukumori sent down Sidney Ponson called up to pitch tonight
COL: Jose Capellan called up Jason Nix designated for assignment
OAK: Lenny DiNardo sent down Justin Duchscherer called up to pitch tonight
SEA: Roy Corcoran sent down Erik Bedard called up off DL to start tonight

Injury Update
Joe Borowski 15 Day DL - Strained Triceps

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Game 24
04/26/08


New York Yankees @ Cleveland Indians
(17-7) @ (10-13)

Sower's Effective but Yankees Slug Way to Victory

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	R	H	E
New York Yankees	1	0	1	0	2	0	1	0	0	3	7	11	1
Cleveland Indians	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	4	13	1

HR NYY - D. Jeter (3), S. Duncan (1), H. Matsui (8) CLE - V. Martinez (3), R. Garko (3)

WP: Joba Chamberlain (2-1)
LP: Rafael Perez (1-2)
SV: Mariano Rivera (9)

Cleveland, OH - The New York Yankees rolled through Cleveland with the best record in the Majors and cemented that role with an extra-innings victory against the slumping hometown Tribe. Matsui homered in the first inning for his 8th long ball of the season, second in as many games as the Yankees took a 1-0 lead. Down 2-0 in the 3rd, the Indians struck for 2 runs in the bottom of the 4th via a 2-run homer by Ryan Garko (# 3 on the season). The Yankees pulled ahead again in the 5th courtesy of an solo home run by Shelly Duncan (his 1st home run). Still down 3-2 by the 7th, Jeremy Sowers left the game after allowing a base hit with 1-out. Sowers' comeback fell short of manager Wedge's expectations (6.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, ERA 5.67).

Jensen Lewis stepped in but could stop an RBI single by stand-in catcher Jose Molina. With the score 4-2 Yankees, Jhonny Peralta took center stage at Progressive Field with Travis Hafner at 1st. Down 0-2 early in the count, Peralta took a Wang sinker 390 foot over the wall to tie the game at 4. With neither side able to record runs in the 9th, the game went to extra innings where the Yankees took reliever Lewis for 3 runs, including a 2 run homer by Derek Jeter. Lewis left and Perez picked up the pieces to end the top of the 10th. Save leader Mariano Rivera pitched another excellent final inning, allowing one hit, getting a double play ball by Asdrubal Cabrera and popped up Franklin Guitierrez to end the game, pick up the save and continue the Yankee's early season run. The Tribe, however, have lost 8 of their last 9 outings.

Top Performer(s) of the Game:

Derek Jeter 2 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Victor Martinez 2 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Next Game

New York Yankees @ Cleveland Indians
(18-7) @ (10-14)
04/27/08