2 out of 3 convincing, sweep would've been better.
Manager Eric Wedge has a severe misunderstanding of his pitchers. I have written about it over and over again. His failure to understand when his man is in trouble has cost the indians so many games that equaled to 25 blown saves last year. He waits until the damage is already in place or done until taking him out.
Today was another prime example.
It was a pitching duel from the start as Scott Elarton put on another stellar performance retiring his first 6 batters, 5 of those outs coming on strike outs coming in just 3 innings. Tim Wakefield had his knuckleball dancing around all day that made the indians bats look silly. Victor Martinez and Blake both hit solo HR's over the green monster but thats all the offense they could muster. 9 runners were left stranded and the team only collected 7 hits.
Elartons undoing came in the 6th inning, surrending back to back doubles that would tie the ball game. The bullpen wasnt even active until Doug Mirabelli, a back up catcher and a number 8 hitter would jack a 2 run home run as the struggling Mark Bellhorn followed with a solo home run.
It would give the Red Sox a 5-2 lead and all they needed to put this one away. Wakefield would get the win putting his record at 6-6 while Scotty dropped to 4-3. The Indians have not swept boston in fenway since 1996.
Cleveland opens a 4 game series tomorrow night against the Baltimore Orioles who have dropped 6 straight contests. The Indians are currently a game behind the Orioles for the wild card. Jake Westbrook (5-9 4.52) gets the call against Bruce Chen (6-5 3.54) start time is 7:05 est.
Note: in the 8th inning with Hafner, Martinez, and Hernandez coming to bat, Wedge should have pinch hit Broussard therefore forcing Terry Francona to use his bullpen immediately. That would mean he would only have 3 relievers available, all 3 pitchers were right handed..the stats of these batters against righties speak for themselves.
once again testifying to wedges inability to play the strengths of his team and once again his inability cost the tribe a win.
Today was another prime example.
It was a pitching duel from the start as Scott Elarton put on another stellar performance retiring his first 6 batters, 5 of those outs coming on strike outs coming in just 3 innings. Tim Wakefield had his knuckleball dancing around all day that made the indians bats look silly. Victor Martinez and Blake both hit solo HR's over the green monster but thats all the offense they could muster. 9 runners were left stranded and the team only collected 7 hits.
Elartons undoing came in the 6th inning, surrending back to back doubles that would tie the ball game. The bullpen wasnt even active until Doug Mirabelli, a back up catcher and a number 8 hitter would jack a 2 run home run as the struggling Mark Bellhorn followed with a solo home run.
It would give the Red Sox a 5-2 lead and all they needed to put this one away. Wakefield would get the win putting his record at 6-6 while Scotty dropped to 4-3. The Indians have not swept boston in fenway since 1996.
Cleveland opens a 4 game series tomorrow night against the Baltimore Orioles who have dropped 6 straight contests. The Indians are currently a game behind the Orioles for the wild card. Jake Westbrook (5-9 4.52) gets the call against Bruce Chen (6-5 3.54) start time is 7:05 est.
Note: in the 8th inning with Hafner, Martinez, and Hernandez coming to bat, Wedge should have pinch hit Broussard therefore forcing Terry Francona to use his bullpen immediately. That would mean he would only have 3 relievers available, all 3 pitchers were right handed..the stats of these batters against righties speak for themselves.
once again testifying to wedges inability to play the strengths of his team and once again his inability cost the tribe a win.
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