Devil Rays series wrap up.
I had a chance to see Tampa Bay in person at the end of the season last year so I know all about the frighteningly good talent they have. They were arguably playing like a contending team that had been there before while spoiling everyone elses, especially Clevelands', season.
From Mvp Baseball video games to real life, Tampa Bay is just one of those teams that doesnt go away and the (real) indians, with a little help from their relievers, let them back into the game.
The first matchup of a 3 game series was dominated by C.C. Sabathia but a shaky 8th inning gave way to Jason davis. Cleveland lead this game 5-1 going into the 7th lead by Travis Hafners 36th long ball of the season as well as Marte knotching his first Major League home run but another late inning disaster suddenly became the 20th blown save of the year for the worst bullpen in baseball when Carl Crawford delivered a 2 run single that gave the rays the lead and the win.
Game 2
Hopefully this is an indication that Shapiro's lovefest with Andy Marte was for just cause. In the last two games Andy really looks like that lightbulb went off and for only being in the majors a short while, is a very, very good sign. Alot of big things are being expected of Marte who was supposed to be the biggest spark to this team when he was called up, but its been players like Joe Inglett and Jeremy Sowers mainly.
Marte recorded a single, a double, and knocked in his 4th rbi. its not so much his production that fans have been worried about, its been the non aggressive approach he was taking during his at bats but over the last week he seems like he is seeing the ball and is making better contact.
Jhonny Peralta jump started the Cleveland offense with a 2 run triple in the 1st inning and Hafner continued his rampage belting his 37th home run. Hafner is now 4 home runs and 2 rbis better than he was last year. a career year.
Jeremy Sowers didnt pitch beautifully but well enough to keep his team on top. Sowers rocky first inning start seemed to spell trouble but the young kid settled down and got himself out of it.
There were no last inning heroics for the Devil Rays in this game against Tom Mastny. With a "pick a name out of a hat" closers role it was Mastnys' turn and he'd come through.
Mastny is another young pitcher recently called up that I think deserves more than just a "look" as a september call up. He is 0-0 in 4 games with an outstanding era of 1.42 in 6 1/3 innings pitched with 8 strikeouts and only 2 walks.
Mastny set down the tampa bay hitters in order in te 8th and was given the chance to return in the 9th and came through to preserve the win.
Game 3
Cleveland seemed to go into this game with the intention of putting this game away early, and they did.
Travis Hafner and Ryan Garko jumped on devil rays starter Jae Seo for back to back home runs. Garko, like Marte, is really picking it up. Garko has hit 3 home runs and 11 rbis in 14 games.
Seo would end up leaving the game which allowed Cleveland to blow the game wide open. Kelly Shoppach broke a 2-2 tie with a 2 run double that scored Shin Soo Choo and Jhonny Peralta.
In the 6th, Rays reliever Dan Miceli would become the indians next victim. Grady Sizemore doubled to lead off the inning with Joe Inglett reaching on a bunt single. Hafner who has been given extra B.P. from the Tampa Bay pitching staff, was intentionally walked to load the bases. Ryan Garko immediately slapped an rbi single to left and with the bases still loaded, Peralta delievered...
on a 1-2 count, 7 out of 10 times a hitter is going to see a fastball, Peralta did and wasted no time roping a grandslam over the left field fence. it is the 11th grandslam on the season for Cleveland as a whole and Peraltas career first.
The Indians travel to K.C. to face a royals team that is coming off a sweep of the Boston Red Sox and a series win against the White Sox where they took 2 out of 3.
From Mvp Baseball video games to real life, Tampa Bay is just one of those teams that doesnt go away and the (real) indians, with a little help from their relievers, let them back into the game.
The first matchup of a 3 game series was dominated by C.C. Sabathia but a shaky 8th inning gave way to Jason davis. Cleveland lead this game 5-1 going into the 7th lead by Travis Hafners 36th long ball of the season as well as Marte knotching his first Major League home run but another late inning disaster suddenly became the 20th blown save of the year for the worst bullpen in baseball when Carl Crawford delivered a 2 run single that gave the rays the lead and the win.
Game 2
Hopefully this is an indication that Shapiro's lovefest with Andy Marte was for just cause. In the last two games Andy really looks like that lightbulb went off and for only being in the majors a short while, is a very, very good sign. Alot of big things are being expected of Marte who was supposed to be the biggest spark to this team when he was called up, but its been players like Joe Inglett and Jeremy Sowers mainly.
Marte recorded a single, a double, and knocked in his 4th rbi. its not so much his production that fans have been worried about, its been the non aggressive approach he was taking during his at bats but over the last week he seems like he is seeing the ball and is making better contact.
Jhonny Peralta jump started the Cleveland offense with a 2 run triple in the 1st inning and Hafner continued his rampage belting his 37th home run. Hafner is now 4 home runs and 2 rbis better than he was last year. a career year.
Jeremy Sowers didnt pitch beautifully but well enough to keep his team on top. Sowers rocky first inning start seemed to spell trouble but the young kid settled down and got himself out of it.
There were no last inning heroics for the Devil Rays in this game against Tom Mastny. With a "pick a name out of a hat" closers role it was Mastnys' turn and he'd come through.
Mastny is another young pitcher recently called up that I think deserves more than just a "look" as a september call up. He is 0-0 in 4 games with an outstanding era of 1.42 in 6 1/3 innings pitched with 8 strikeouts and only 2 walks.
Mastny set down the tampa bay hitters in order in te 8th and was given the chance to return in the 9th and came through to preserve the win.
Game 3
Cleveland seemed to go into this game with the intention of putting this game away early, and they did.
Travis Hafner and Ryan Garko jumped on devil rays starter Jae Seo for back to back home runs. Garko, like Marte, is really picking it up. Garko has hit 3 home runs and 11 rbis in 14 games.
Seo would end up leaving the game which allowed Cleveland to blow the game wide open. Kelly Shoppach broke a 2-2 tie with a 2 run double that scored Shin Soo Choo and Jhonny Peralta.
In the 6th, Rays reliever Dan Miceli would become the indians next victim. Grady Sizemore doubled to lead off the inning with Joe Inglett reaching on a bunt single. Hafner who has been given extra B.P. from the Tampa Bay pitching staff, was intentionally walked to load the bases. Ryan Garko immediately slapped an rbi single to left and with the bases still loaded, Peralta delievered...
on a 1-2 count, 7 out of 10 times a hitter is going to see a fastball, Peralta did and wasted no time roping a grandslam over the left field fence. it is the 11th grandslam on the season for Cleveland as a whole and Peraltas career first.
The Indians travel to K.C. to face a royals team that is coming off a sweep of the Boston Red Sox and a series win against the White Sox where they took 2 out of 3.
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