Tony Sipp called up, Zach Jackson sent down.

With the Cleveland bullpen in complete shambles, the Indians have called upon rookie left hander Tony Sipp to try and help straighten out the relief corps. The 25 year old Sipp has stuckout out 10 batters in 7 innings for the Clippers, while posting a 3.86 ERA. Tony has been a guy the Indians have been high on for years while he has went through various injuries. His 40 Man Roster status is a main reason he was called upon as the only other real options without designating someone for assignment would be Jon Meloan and Rich Rundles. Meloan got knocked around pretty hard in his last outing, and Rundles is primarily a left handed matchup guy. The Tribe's late inning guys have been atrocious this year, so it really can't get much worse. Jackson was only used twice out of the pen this season, and is more of a long relief guy rather than a setup pitcher. Zach may even see some starts down in Triple A. Cliff Lee takes on Brian Bannister tonight as the Indians look to string together two consecutive wins for the first time this season.

No Signs of Relief

The big opening extravaganza that was this weekend in the Bronx has now come and gone and not made me feel any more confident in our Tribe. They did some unbelievable this offensively (one 9 run inning, another 14 run inning), and some unbelievably awful things in relief (3 earned runs allowed Friday, 6 Sunday). The Indians now stand at 4-9, which just looks as bad as it is. They are only 3 1/2 games out of first, with the rest of the division hovering in mediocrity with seven wins apiece. As all Tribe followers are unfortunately aware of, a bad bullpen makes a team excruciatingly tough to watch. The thought of one of the 8 guys trotting out today is going to blow the lead is constantly in your head. Monday brings a much needed day off for the Sons of Geronimo to get out of the circus that is New York and head back to more comfortable 40 degree weather back in Cleveland. Random thoughts from the weekend.

• I think Shin Soo Choo's bat is for real, but his fielding and throwing accuracy is not consistent at all. Wedge needs to leave Choo in Right or at DH as his horrible reaction time and angle to that ball hit by Cody Ransom in the 8th was not good at all.


• Rafael Perez is struggling way too much to be brought in with the Tribe holding only a 2 run lead. I understand it's early and Wedge is trying to get him some confidence, but he has been all over the plate. He needs to be in mop up duty for now.


• His bullpen mate Jensen Lewis has been giving up way too many gopher balls (3). He should figure things out eventually, hopefully soon.


• As it stands now, the manager has exactly two bullpen arms he can rely on. Jackson is a long guy, Chulk and Kobayashi are mop up guys. Perez is lost. Lewis and Betancourt have been up and down. Smith has been good but they are afraid to use him against lefties. Wood has been lights out but has only one save and needs someone to step up and bridge the gap to the ninth. If they don't trust Chulk and Kobayashi, get rid of them and get somebody from Columbus (Meloan, Sipp) that may catch fire.


• Hot Carl pitched a great game. Got to give him credit. I think his pitching will remain a rollercoaster, but we shall see.


• Lee and Carmona pitched better, but need to have one of those 7 inning 1-2 run gems to help save the pen.


• Hafner stills seems awkward at the plate, but is producing.


• Graffanino should never recieve more than one start a week.


• That second inning Saturday was one of the most enjoyable innings of baseball I have ever seen.


• That BS Trevor Crowe fan interference call stunk, but DeRosa and Martinez not getting a run home the previous half inning with the bases loaded hurt more.


• The Yankees are overrated and will not make the playoffs in 2009.

The Royals come to town Tuesday to start a 9 game homestand for the Indians. Sidney Ponson vs Aaron Laffey in a 40 degree drizzle will make buying a seat at the Jake pretty easy. How about a 6-3 clip to get the team to a respectable 10-12. I think it can happen. Can it?