Lee Masters Cardinals, Tribe wins Season-Best 3rd Series in a Row

Cliff Lee successfully no-hit the St. Louis Cardinals for 7 innings Sunday, bringing the Indians to within 6 games of the first place Detroit Tigers. Lee was utterly brilliant, using just 93 pitches (70 strikes) to dispose of the redbirds while cooling off the red-hot Albert Pujols (0-3, BB). Even more amazing, Lee threw first pitch strikes to 26 of the 32 batters he faced. He stuck out six, gave up three hits and 2 walks while shutting out St. Louis, lowering his ERA to 2.88. I didn't even realize that he was flirting with the no-no until the 6th when the crowd began to cheer louder after each out. Clifton really has solidified his place among baseball's elite, proving that his 2008 Cy Young campaign was no fluke. His starts have vaulted into the category of must-see events, hopefully getting him onto the All-Star team despite his 4-6 record that is definitely not his fault. Here are some of the highlights below...



The bats were not really around for the past 2 games, scoring just four runs total over Saturday and Sunday. I would say that the lineup is finally settling down, with Jhonny Peralta seemingly positioned to man the hot corner most of the time. Luis Valbuena has been outstanding in the field at short, but his bat has not progressed as quickly. He has been getting robbed of hits a bunch over the past week. Wedge said that he plans to stick with him.

Kelly Shoppach needs to be given some major credit in the starting staffs' revival. He is currently the personal catcher for Lee, Carl Pavano, and lately David Huff. All seem to be really comfortable with him behind the dish. Shoppach has struggled at the plate lately, but went 2-3 with a homer and a double Sunday. The offense may look a little weaker with Valbuena and Shoppach in the 8 and 9 hole, but the defense and game managing more than makes up for it. When Asdrubal and Grady comeback hopefully soon, look for Valbuena to platoon with Jamey Carroll and Shoppach to play at least 5-6 days a week. These moves will definitely cut into the regular playing time (with DeRosa your Left Fielder) of Ryan Garko and Ben Francisco, which really isn't a bad thing.

The Milwaukee Brewers come to town Monday for a 3 game series. Here are the pitching matchups...

David Bush vs. Carl Pavano Monday
Yvonni Gallardo vs. Jeremy Sowers Tuesday

Jeff Suppan vs. David Huff Wednesday

The Tribe has a real shot to get back in this the way the schedule is shaping up with 12 of their next 18 games at home with a short 6 game roadtrip covering just Chicago and Pittsburgh. If they can get to 4 or less games back by the All-Star break (when the team should be at full strength) this season just get a bit more interesting.

Pujols beats Tribe

Tomo Ohka pitched 7 strong innings (2 solo shots by Albert Pujols), Victor Martinez drove in the Tribe's lone run (got subsequently thrown out at second with 0 outs), Rafael Perez wild pitched the third run home, and Josh Barfield had another base running blunder that collectively led to a 3-1 for Cleveland to the Indians. The Tribe scattered 6 hits and really never had a rally going besides the third inning when Jamey Carrol reached on an error and DeRosa walked. The lineup is hurting right now with only a few guys real threats to make a game-changing impact on the game with their bat. Ohka did earn the opportunity to start at least one more game before Westbrook and Laffey return from the DL. Tomo may have even earned a spot in the bullpen.


Getting the opportunity to watch Pujols live is a site to see. He hit his second home run half way up the bleachers, the farthest home run I have seen since the days of Mark McGwire. Pujols pretty much single handidly beat the Indians, going 3-4 with 2 jacks and a double. The Cardinals first baseman is definitely, hands down the best hitter in baseball today.

Here were the highlights...

Blitzcorner Cardinals beat Indians 3-1

I was able to attend Saturday's game and was really excited about the retro 80's jerseys, even though it was hard to see them up in the mezzanine. More importantly, it was my 6 month old son's first game at Progressive Field. He did pretty good, no major meltdowns or anything. I also got him his first autograph at the game (David Huff). The Indians lost the game, but gained a little fan for life. More on the Cardinals series after tonight's prime time matchup of Chris Carpenter vs. Cliff Lee.