The Cleveland Indians finally were able to keep an opposing team under 4 runs today, beating the Chicago White Sox 9-4. I was able to watch this game via mlb.com and here were some random thoughts from the game.
Fausto Carmona: Was able to force seven ground outs in three innings, but got in some two out trouble in the 2nd inning. Seems to be pitching OK, not a serious concern early in camp with walking guys.
Anthony Reyes: Pitched a scoreless three innings, was successful moving the ball all around the zone. Allowed just one walk and has yet to give up a run in Cactus League action. Reyes has pretty much locked up the number four spot in the rotation.
Vinnie Chulk: Two scoreless innings, 3 K's. Dark horse for 7th slot in the pen.
Matt Herges: 40 year old struck out the side. Has received praise from Wedge and may be an option for the 7th spot in the pen as well.
Grady Sizemore: Simply went 3-3, 2 RBI and looked fluid on the base paths. Grady is fine and look for him to have a career year in 2009 with the added punch to the lineup. Also hit well off of 2 lefties, which is a great sign as he only batted .224 against lefties in 2008.
Victor Martinez: 3-3, 2 RBI. Victor hit a fastball in on the hands out into center field, hit a gap with another single, and seems to be fully back from his various ailments of 2008.
Chris Gimenez: 0-1, BB. Didn't do much but I believe will be on this team after the All-Star break due to his enormous position flexibility. Currently hitting .385.
Beau Mills: 0-4, 1 RBI. Beau struggled with the outside in-the-dirt curve ball from lefties and seemed to be over guessing on pitches, but is still only about to begin his 2nd full year in pro ball. If Mills has a big year in Akron, the Indians will have an interesting decision to make at first base in 2011.
Tony Graffanino/Andy Cannizaro: 5-7, two doubles, 1 home run, 3 Rbi. The Italian duo auditioned themselves well as utility guys for the Indians minor leagues or possibly a big league job at the end of camp. Cannizaro is probably the leader in the clubhouse to play short in Columbus.
Matt LaPorta: 0-4, 3K's. Bad game for LaPorta at bat, and also fumbled the ball out in right. Still hitting .316 and will see a lot more time this spring.
Michael Brantley: 2-3, double, 2 runs scored. Both of Brantley's hits were to the opposite field and showed some nice speed on the bases. Putting together a nice spring, with a .368 avg. and looking pretty fluid in the outfield.
Hopefully the pitching will sustain some consistency over the next few weeks as we get closer to camp ending. The hitting at all levels looks ready for business, so hopefully the winter weather of April in Cleveland won't cool down the bats too much.
1 comment:
CK, Denny and I caught this one live in Glendale, and we had great seats behind the plate. From our vantage point, Reyes looked virtually untouchable. I hope that Dr. House at USC really was able to help him permanently overcome his elbow issues--we could use him this summer.
Also, Matt LaPorta does not look anywhere close to being ready for the big league club. He's clumsy in the outfield and teams seem to have him figured out--if you pound the outside corner, he goes down swinging everytime. Brantley, in his performance again the ChiSox, looks like he'll have a place in Cleveland first.
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