A Quest Called Tribe

How great is it when Matt LaPorta hits?  Matty (.241) looked great in his first three trips with a slick opposite field homer, a patient AB for a walk and a smash that was stolen from the left field corner by Alberto Callaspo.  Although LaPorta has still yet to become the superstar that his talents predicted, the production that he has provided is more that adequate for the #8 hole.  If he can breed a bit more consistency into his offense, he will be right on track for the .270, 20 HR, 75 RBI that we need from him for team success.

Even better than LaPorta was Mitch Talbot tonight.  After laboring through 102 pitches and exiting in the 5th during his first start, Talbot (1.46 ERA) could not have looked sharper tonight.  In throwing 8 shutout innings, Mitch allowed just 5 hits and 2 walks.  He struck out 4 while spotting 72 of his 112 pitches for strikes.  Talbot was never really in trouble and retired the last eight that he faced coming into the 9th, included a sick called third on Howie Kendrick to end the 8th.  It was somewhat surprising that Manny Acta sent his starter back out for the 8th (let alone the 9th), but I like the thinking.  This is a young team that is overachieving.  At his hiring, Acta was lauded for his success in developing young talent and this is the first concrete example that I have seen.  Plant that seed in Talbot's head, in all of the players' heads, that they are this good and maybe they will be.  Is the starting pitching this good?  I have no reason (72 IP, 44 H during the streak) to think otherwise.

All of the streaks continue -- Wins (8), Michael Brantley hitting (9), Travis Hafner hitting (8) and, sadly, Carlos Santana hitless ABs (14).

Have I mentioned that Vinnie Pestano is dirty?

Not nearly enough can be said about the infield defense, particularly Orlando Cabrera.  Two months back, I was not a fan of shifting O-Cab to the right side of the infield.  Today, the Indians' brain trust looks like a kettle full of genius.  The rapport that has developed between the Cabreras is reminiscent of another double play tandem of about a decade past.  ESPN has the each starting infielder ranked in the top 12 overall, with both middle men ranking in the top 3.  Jack Hannahan ranks the lowest, but you could have fooled me.  The man is as graceful and accurate as anyone could want at the hot corner.  Despite his homer on Sunday (Han the Man, Jack TheManahan, Mother-effin Hannahan, etc) Jack's average has started to dip and the team will have a tough call when Jason Donald finished his rehab stint.

Speaking of the currently disabled, Grady Sizemore was 2-for-4 with the Aeros tonight and cracking a sweet .455 thus far.  Grady simply needs to pile up at bats to ensure that his timing is right; he is completely healthy.  If anyone is still wondering, he will play center when he arrives with Brantley shifting to left.  Donald (.143) went hitless in four ABs including a pair of Ks and Joe Smith (3.38 ERA) faltered for the first time as he struggled for command, but both are still on target to return this month.

Btw, the Clippers were rained out tonight in Lousiville.  They'll double dip tomorrow with Corey Kluber and David Huff taking the pill.

Lastly, ponder this tidbit.  About a week ago, the Tribe released 3B Matt Cusick, one of a pair of farmhands that they received from the Yankees last summer for Kerry Wood.  With the second, Andrew Shive, having been released during the off-season, the Indians would have been better served swapping Wood for a nice steak dinner.  Neither man played an inning for the organization.  It was cool to see Wood in a Cleveland uni, but, in hindsight, 'twas an awful waste of cash.