Official Cleveland Indians Thread

[dales]

After watching last year I didn't think the Tribe could come up with any new ways to lose games. After seeing the Marlins put two HRs off the foul pole in the 9th inning I didn't think it'd get any worse.

Well, it just did....

Somehow Bob Wickman just turned in possibly the worst pitching performance I have ever seen in my life. The Indians had dominated the White Sox all day long with Millwood (great debut in the AL), Miller, Rhodes (great debut). Then we get to the ninth inning after an insurance run comes across to make it 3-0 Cleveland. Here's how the bottom of the 9th goes:

- Everett 1B to RF
- Konerko HR to LF
- Dye HR to LF
- Rowand 2B to CF
- IBB to Pierzynski
- Harris reaches on error by Wickman
- SF to RF to end game

Unbelievable. Everyone who came to the plate for the Sox absolutely crushed the ball. Wickman was out there serving up batting practice. His pitches were right down the crapper.

I don't remember feeling this upset about a loss since game 5 of the ALDS in 2001.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

Well from the looks of it our starting pitching may very well be amazing this year, but if the bullpen is like last year we are screwed, I'm already tired of Wicky, need a change NOW!!!

[dales]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

I think Howry would be the choice to close. Perhaps even Sourbeck. I just don't want to see Wickman out there again. Like you, I'm already tired of him.

[bjf1377]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

Wow, just when I thought this was over when Jose Jimenez was gone....

[Dice]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

After watching last year I didn't think the Tribe could come up with any new ways to lose games. After seeing the Marlins put two HRs off the foul pole in the 9th inning I didn't think it'd get any worse.

Well, it just did....

Somehow Bob Wickman just turned in possibly the worst pitching performance I have ever seen in my life. The Indians had dominated the White Sox all day long with Millwood (great debut in the AL), Miller, Rhodes (great debut). Then we get to the ninth inning after an insurance run comes across to make it 3-0 Cleveland. Here's how the bottom of the 9th goes:

- Everett 1B to RF
- Konerko HR to LF
- Dye HR to LF
- Rowand 2B to CF
- IBB to Pierzynski
- Harris reaches on error by Wickman
- SF to RF to end game

Unbelievable. Everyone who came to the plate for the Sox absolutely crushed the ball. Wickman was out there serving up batting practice. His pitches were right down the crapper.

I don't remember feeling this upset about a loss since game 5 of the ALDS in 2001.

I really couldn't put that as an amazing come back BUT the Sox did tee off on Wickman. Now you guys know how we felt when we had Koch as our closer beginning of last year.

[dales]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

I really couldn't put that as an amazing come back BUT the Sox did tee off on Wickman. Now you guys know how we felt when we had Koch as our closer beginning of last year.

Despite what you think, the Indians had a worse bullpen last year than anyone in the leauge. They blew 21 of their first 36 save opportunities. This is why getting Benitez would have been a great move. Having Wickman try and close out games is always a struggle. You just don't want that from your closer.

I know exactly how you felt.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

Look if Shapiro waits as long as he did last year we are already dead in the water. I say bring up whoever we had in camp this year my mind is drawing a blank (Miller or Brown?) Who is a young fireball guy and put him in there, Wickman is not the answer maybe Jason Davis??? Whoever if Wickman blows another save in his next 5 chances he better not be getting the call next time we have a save situation hell, this incident should have been the last today, and no I'm not over reacting he has been like this from the beginning and quite frankly I'm pretty sick of it.

[Jeven316]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

I heard Wickman was going to retire after last season but Shapiro and Wedge convinced him to comeback. Great Move! I don't think Wickman's arm has it anymore he looked really bad out there and it didn't seem like just an off day. Wickman has an ERA of, I think, 108 right now, I know only one game but I am really upset after we snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory today.

[dales]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

Game's not over yet but the Tribe just hit 3 solo HRs in the 9th inning to tie the game at 5. They are now in the 11th and the bullpen has done a fantastic job today (6 2/3 IP, 3H, 0R, 6K, 0BB).

Hopefully we don't see Wickman today.....

[bjf1377]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

Wow, I stopped watching this game cause they were pissing me off, and now they're up 6 in the bottom of the 11th. It's good to see that they can bounce back from two tough games.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

Our team is stacked! Just never give the ball to Wickman and we are all good, honestly our bullpen is like night and day from last year!

[dales]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

It's very nice to be able to play matchups with the bullpen this year (excluding Wickman because he sucks). Miller, Riske, Betancourt, Howry for righties; Rhodes and Sauerbeck for lefties.

I think the Indians should give Davis a shot at closing whenever C.C. comes back because, as you know, Jason is filling in for Sabathia in the rotation right now. If Davis can get good control, he'd be a golden closer. He throws mid- to high nineties and, as mentioned, has the splitter for an out pitch.

[RahKhem]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

Betancourt was fire today, I hope he can find a breaking ball he's really comfortable with because he does have that aggressive mentality closers need.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

Betancourt once again had a great game yesterday even though Jake got bombed. Well good news we have 5 on Bonderman in the first so far and still batting looks like a good day to go .500.

[RahKhem]

Re: Official Cleveland Indians Thread

Wickster was rocky again, but again got the save to beat the Tigs.