A Quest Called Tribe

As easy as Tuesday's loss was to swallow, just as bitter was Wednesday's pill.  Why?  Mistakes.  Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes.  Whether it be Asdrubal Cabrera's inexplicable throw after Howie Kendrick's double, Travis Hafner's key strike outs, Shin-Soo Choo getting picked off of third (Hi ManRam!), Acta calling for a bases loaded pitch out with Jeff Mathis at the plate (WHAT?) or the abomination that continues to be Chad Durbin, the game was replete with blunders.  I'm too disgusted to even mention the rest of the "hitting."  Suffice to say, most of these guys would have been better off sending their kids to the plate instead.  The Indians were not beaten tonight, they trimmed some garnish and plated the Angels a tasty serving of ballgame.

Durbin's folly bites the hardest perhaps because it was the proximate cause of defeat, perhaps because he has done exactly nothing to help the Indians win.  Hang on, this is nearly unbelievable.  In a single horrific inning, Durbin gave up a single to a guy who was 4-for-48 (and 0-for-his last 16), walked a man on four pitches, threw a wild pitch (seconds after Carlos Santana saved one) that led to an intentional walk and couldn't keep the ball on the ground to extend the contest.  My tune may change on this, but, as of this moment, Chad Durbin blows.

All of this overshadows another quality start from the Indians' rotation.  Carlos Carrasco tinkered with his wind-up and was lights out for the first three innings (H, BB, 3 K).  Cabrera's gaff came in the 4th, quickly followed by Carrasco's biggest mistake and a two-run Torii Hunter long ball.  That's it though.  Carlos went seven, allowing five hits and two walks, striking out five.  Similar to Fausto Carmona yesterday, I will take that kind of start any day of the week.

The bullpen was equally effective in getting to the 12th.  Have I mentioned that Vinnie Pestano is nasty?  Then... Chad Durbin.  The Tribe announced that two of their rehabbers will join the Clippers on Saturday tomorrow in Toledo.  Not among them?  Joe Smith.  The inference here is that Smith will hook up with the Tribe in Cleveland on Friday instead.  This compounds the Durbin shenanigans.  Easily the least productive reliever, Durbin's status as a "major leaguer" is going to push someone worthwhile (probably Frank Herrmann) off of the MLB roster.  Bah.

Down on the farm Grady Sizemore got the day off.  No surprise. 

Jason Donald led off for the Aeros and played third.  Donald (.273) was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base.  He is rehab eligible until the 30th.  Expect him to use all of that time.

Nick Hagadone threw his third consecutive scoreless pair of innings.  Over those six frames Hagadone has surrendered just 2 hits without a walk, while striking out six.  The opposition is hitting .105 against him. 

Drew Pomeranz made his second start for Kinston and was nearly as impressive as in outing #1.  Pomeranz did allow a run this time (unearned) on a single hit, two walks and 8 Ks.  Over 11 innings thus far, Drew has allowed five baserunners and struck out 17.  If this trend continues, he'll be in Akron by June and Cleveland by September.

I grumble now, but it's only going to get better.  ;-j

Cheers.