Inside The Batter's Box 4.24.15: #Indians vs. #Tigers Preview

By @B_Rock1978

Is it time to hit the panic button Tribe fans? Can we just forget that this series against the White Sox ever happened? Another very disappointing series from our Tribe the past three days. Worst of all, again it was to another team in our division. We now stand at 3-8 against our divisional teams.
(Que Price Is Right waa waa waa waaaaaaaaa defeat music here.)

Game one, Ryan Raburn got things going for the Tribe in the second inning, launching a solo shot. Raburn finished 2 for 3 with an RBI. "Dr. Smooth" Michael Brantley unloaded a double in the third inning, picking up an RBI. Top of the fifth, Brett Hayes, delivered another solo shot and the Tribe looked like they were well on their way to a win. Or so we thought. Tribe closer, Cody Allen, gets rocked in the bottom of the ninth, gives up 4 runs and the ChiSox turn a 3-0 score into a 4-3 win. You got to be kidding?!

Game two, saw both Carlos Santana and David Murphy launch the long ball. Ryan Raburn continued to hit well, going 2 for 2 with 2 RBI. "Dr. Smooth" Michael Brantley added an RBI single. Jason Kipnis sac flied in an RBI. Carlos Carrasco went 5 innings, giving up 1 ER, 8 strikeouts and no walks. Cody Allen pitched the ninth, held onto the lead this time, recording 2 strikeouts and the Tribe won 6-2.

Game three, was a complete nightmare. Tribe ace, Corey Kluber is pitching, we got this right? Wrong! Kluber gets his glove handed to him by the ChiSox. Kluber goes six innings, but gives up 13 hits, 6 ER, 6 strikeouts and 1 walk. Meanwhile, Jeff Samardzija, completely shuts down the Tribe in six innings. The Tribe lose 6-0 and lose the series to the ChiSox. Good grief!!

Next up, the Indians kick off a three game set with divisional rivals, the Detroit Tigers, in Detroit. In case you forgot, the Tigers swept the Tribe in their opening weekend series. Looking back at that series, and looking at how the Tribe have played since that series, I'm honestly scared Tribe fans. How did the Tigers do this week? The Tigers battled the Evil Empire, aka the New York Yankees, in a four game set. Let's take a look at how the Tigers did in their series with the Yanks and who our Tribe will have to watch out for in this series.

Game one, J.D. Martinez got the Tigers on the board in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single. Yoenis Cespedes followed with another RBI single. Alfredo Simon goes 7 1/3 innings, with 7 strikeouts and gave up no walks. Joakim Soria picks up save number 5 and the Tigers stayed hot, winning 2-1.

Game two, J.D. Martinez went 3 for 4, but wasn't an RBI threat. Yoenis Cespedes picked up a sac fly RBI in the seventh inning. Rajai Davis drew a walk in the ninth with the bases loaded, picking up an RBI. Kyle Lobstein went six innings, with 1 ER, 3 strikeouts and 4 walks. The Tigers bullpen collapsed in the seventh inning, however, and the Yanks grab the 5-2 win. 

Game three, the Tigers put four on the board in the bottom of the first. J.D. Martinez picked up another RBI in the series, drawing a walk with the bases loaded. Yoenis Cespedes picked up an RBI with an infield single. Nick Castellanos grounded out into a fielders choice, picking up an RBI. Alex Avila singled in an RBI during his at bat. The Tigers were shut down the rest of the way, losing to the Yankees 13-4.

Game four, Victor Martinez gets a sac fly RBI, but that's all the Tigers can muster as the Yankees cool off the Tigers 2-1 and take the series.

*** Starters For The Series ***

* Tigers *

- Game 1: Shane Green (3-0), makes his fourth start of the year, winning every start this year so far. Green stands with a 0.39 ERA, 11 strikeouts and 5 walks.

- Game 2: Alfredo Simon (3-0), makes his fourth start of the season, sitting at three perfect apperances. Simon takes the mound with a 1.74 ERA, 12 strikeouts and 2 walks.

- Game 3: Kyle Lobstein (1-1), makes his third start of the season, having a decision on all starts so far as well. Lobstein has a 3.27 ERA, 6 strikeouts and 6 walks.

* Indians *

- Game 1:  Danny Salazar (1-0), makes his second start of the year, after being called up from AAA last weekend. Salazar has a 3.00 ERA, with 10 strikeouts and 2 walks on the season.

- Game 2: Trevor Bauer (2-0), makes his fourth start of the year. Bauer, is currently the only original starter from season's beginning, that has had a good year so far. Bauer checks in with a 0.95 ERA, 26 strikeouts and 11 walks.

- Game 3: Carlos Carrasco (2-1), makes his fourth start of the year. Carrasco has a 2.38 ERA, 18 strikeouts and 1 walk on the year.

There is your Indians vs. Tigers preview, continue to join me all season, with Inside The Batter's Box. I'll bring you series previews, recaps, videos and pictures, on the Triple Threat CLE Twitter and Facebook pages.

~B~

On The Mark 4.13.15: #Indians vs. #Tigers Weekend Recap

Indians swept by the Tigers at home in ugly Home Opener weekend series

By @MarkW2112

Well, Tribe fans, this isn't the way the team nor the fans wanted to start the 2015 season at Progressive Field.  A three game sweep by the hated Detroit Tigers by scores of 8-4 on Friday, 9-6 on Saturday and 8-5 on Sunday.  Let's go over the games.

Friday: The Indians were coming off a very solid 3 games against the Houston Astros, winning 2 of 3.  Opening Day has always been hot or cold for the Indians it seems and this year, it was extremely cold.  The Tigers hitters were just too much for starter Zach McAllister and before you knew it, had blown open a 5-0 lead.  McAllister had a stellar spring training but it appeared he just didn't have it on Friday and was pulled in the 5th after Nick Castellanos 2 run home run.  The Indians were able to get it to 5-3 in the 6th with runs by Michael Brantley, Carlos Santana and Brandon Moss.  However, in the 7th, the Tigers blew it open once again with 3 runs, 2 of them unearned, due to a throwing error by reliever Marc Rzepczynsk.  The Tigers were able to close the door after that though the Indians to get another RBI by Carlos Santana on a double, scoring Michael Bourn.  It was a disappointing Opening Day after the Indians revealed their new renovations including The Corner bar and SRO platforms in right field.

Saturday:  Coming off a disappointing Friday Home Opener, the Tribe looked to get payback against the Tigers on Saturday with Corey Kluber.  Kluber started out rough, giving up 2 runs in the first inning.  But after those runs, he was outstanding, striking out 10.  The Tigers Trevor Price also was outstanding, until the 6th inning.  After loading the bases, Ryan Raburn was able to get a run home with a sacrifice fly to center.  Then, newly acquired outfielder Jerry Sands came to the plate.  After getting to a 3-2 count, Sands crushed a doubled to right center, scoring Carlos Santana and Yan Gomes, making it 3-2.  But, as it always appears, the Tigers were able to get response runs and more.  After Kluber started the 7th and got Nick Castellanos to strike out, Marc Rzepczynsk got 2 on and was replaced by Bryan Shaw who proceeded to give up 3 straight RBI singles to make it 5-3. 

In the bottom of the 8th, Jerry Sands once again delivered a 2 out 2 run double to tie it 5-5.  It was all for naught as Cody Allen, who hadn't pitched since Tuesday, had a horrible inning, giving up 4 runs to put the Tigers in the lead for good.  The Tribe did try to rally in the bottom of the 9th with Jason Kipnis getting an RBI single but the game ended on a Santana ground out for a 9-6 loss.  To make matters worse, the Tribe lost Yan Gomes for 6-8 weeks on a legal slide by Rajai Davis in to Gomes's leg.

Sunday: The Indians were defeated once again by the Tigers for the sweep, this time by a 8-5 margin.  The game belonged to Miguel Cabrara, who along with Victor Martinez seems to own the Indians.  He went 11-for-14, including 2 monster home runs today.  T.J. House only pitched 1 1/3 inning, giving up 6 runs.  Good relief turns by Austin Adams and Shaun Marcum, who hadn't pitched in the majors since July 2013.  The Tribe did get 5 runs but it wasn't enough to overcome the now 6-0 Tigers.

My Take:  it was an ugly 3 game series for the Indians, one they would like to put behind them ASAP.  The Tigers were too much for them offensively and while they were able to try and battle back all weekend long, the Tigers would always respond.  It's still very early in the season but the Indians must work out their problems both with their 4 and 5 starters as well as their bullpen.  It does appear that the hitters are starting to zone in but the loss of Yan Gomes is huge.  Someone, either on the team now or in the minors, will need to step up and try to produce offensively as well as defensively behind the plate.

On Deck:  a 2 game series with the Chicago White Sox starting Tuesday at Progressive Field.  Carlos Carrasco goes Tuesday while Trevor Bauer pitches on Wednesday.

Inside The Batter's Box 4.10.15: #Indians vs. #Tigers Preview

By @B_Rock1978

The home opener is here, ladies and gentlemen! After kicking off the season on the road in Houston, the Tribe are back home, on the corner of Carneige and Ontario. This year's opener is a little bit special...why you ask? Well over the winter, the Tribe announced plans of renovating the right field area. The plan, which was a multi-million dollar plan, added more restaurants and family fun and eliminated about 7,000 of those upper deck unused seats you'd see at every game. I'm excited to see the final product on opening day.

Throwing out the first pitch on opening day will be Hall of Famer and Tribe legend, Gaylord Perry. Perry pitched with the Tribe from 1972-1975.

The Indians will face off with their Central Division rivals, the veteran, Detroit Tigers. Last season, the Tigers owned the Indians and took the series 11-8. Victor Martinez, Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander always seemed to be the thorn in the Tribe's side.

* 5 Best In Det./Minn. Series *

- Miguel Cabrera: Cabrera, went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI in game 2.
- Ian Kinsler: Kinsler, went 2 for 4 with 4 RBI in game 2.
- Alex Avila: Avila, wasn't playing around against the Twins in their series together. Avila went 4 for 8, with 1 homerun, 3 RBI and 3 free passes.
- Anthony Gose: Gose, went 6 for 11 and cashed in 3 RBI, in the series.
- Jose Iglesias: Iglesias went 6 for 11 in the series.

* 5 Best In Cle./Hou. Series *

- Carlos Santana: first basemen, Santana, went yard on his birthday, against the Astros, in game 2.
- Mike Aviles: Outfielder, Aviles, had a good game 2, going 2 for 3 with 1 HR and 1 RBI.
- Roberto Perez: Catcher, Perez, is proof that a non-regular starter, can also make a difference in a game. Perez went 2 for 4 with a homerun and 2 RBI, in game 3.
- Jose Ramirez: Shortstop, Ramirez went 2 for 4 with a homerun and 1 RBI, in game 3.
- Jason Kipnis: Second baseman, Kipnis, went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI in game 3.

*** Opening Day Starters ***

Tigers: Alfredo Simon takes the mound in the opening day game for the Tigers. Detroit acquired Simon in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds, and recently signed Simon to a one year $5.5 million dollar contract. Last season, Simon started in 32 games with the Reds, went 15-10 with a 3.44 ERA, 127 strikeouts and 56 walks.

Indians: Zach McAllister takes the mound for our Tribe in the opener. Last season, McAllister was used in relief pitching in the back end of the season. McAllister had a great spring and earned a starters job this year. Last season, McAllister was 4-7 with a 5.23 ERA, 47 strikeouts and 28 walks.

*** The Rest Of The Series ***

Tigers: David Price (1-0), who had a great performance in Detroit's opener on Monday, starts Game 2, on Saturday. Price pitched 8 2/3 innings and held the Twins to 5 hits and struck out 5, picking up the win.

Game 3, goes to Justin Verlander. Last season, Verlander didn't look very dominate, like he's been in years past. Verlander finished 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA, 159 strikeouts and 65 walks. But don't sell him short, he's always been an Indian killer. 

Indians: Game 2 of the series goes to T.J. House. House, will make his first start of the 2015 season, after winning one of the last two open spots on the starting rotation. Last season, House pitched in 18 games, went 5-3 with a 3.35 ERA, 80 strikeouts and 22 walks.

Game 3, Indians ace, Corey Kluber (0-1), takes the mound. "Klubot" had a great game on opening day against the Astros, pitching 7 1/3 innings, giving up 3 hits, 2 earned runs, 7 strikeouts and 2 walks. If the Indians bats would have came to life, Klub would have for sure picked up the win instead of an underserving loss.

There is your preview for the Tribe's home opening series. Continue to join me all season, with Inside The Batter's Box. I'll bring you series previews, recaps, videos and pictures, on the Triple Threat CLE Twitter and Facebook pages.

~B~

Leadoff with Lee 5.20.14

Indians OF Michael Brantley, Spurs F Tim Duncan, ex-Brown Josh Cooper, new Browns Jourdan Brooks & Anthony Armstong


-The San Antonio Spurs opened up the Western Conference Finals with a big time 122-105 over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Spurs were clicking all over, with Tim Duncan leading the charge with 27 points. Tony Parker added 14 points and 12 assists. Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green chipped in 16, apiece. Manu Ginobili had 18 of the Spurs 43 bench points. For the Thunder, Kevin Durant had 28 points in 41 minutes, while Westbrook scored 25. Three Thunder starters had a total of 5 points. FIVE POINTS! That is not going to get it done against a team like San Antonio. Game 2 will be Wednesday at 9 PM.

-No one had seen the Indians' closer-by-committee since May 11. Maybe that was a blessing in disguise. The committee resurfaced Monday night long enough for Cody Allen to blow a save in the ninth inning as he gave up a pinch-hit homer to J.D. Martinez. Undaunted, the Indians bounced back to beat the Tigers, 5-4, on Michael Brantley's two-out homer in the 10th off Al Alburquerque's 3-2 pitch. Brantley's homer, a shot into the Tiger bullpen in right field, was his ninth of the season and broke a four-game losing streak for the Tribe. The loss ended Detroit's six-game winning streak and 11-game winning streak on the road. The Indians were two outs from victory when Allen gave up a game-tying pinch-hit homer to J.D. Martinez with one out in the ninth to tie the score, 4-4 and ruin a strong start by Corey Kluber. Ian Kinsler followed with a two-out double, but Allen struck out Torii Hunter to end the inning. The Tribe will battle the Motor City Kitties again tonight at 7 PM.

-Browns WR Josh Gordon Will participate In OTAs/Minicamp while awaiting word on his possible suspension.

-The Browns made personal moves yesterday. A month after signing fullback Chris Pressley, the Browns released him on Monday as a part a raft of minor moves. The club signed seven players who participated in last weekend's rookie minicamp as tryouts and released eight other players. The biggest-name cuts were receiver Josh Cooper and Pressley. Cooper's release isn't a surprise given the recent signings of Andrew Hawkins, Nate Burleson, Miles Austin and Earl Bennett. But the decision to waive Pressley is curious.

New offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan prefers having a traditional fullback – the Browns went without one last season – and the club thought enough of Pressley to arrange a conference call after his signing. The Browns did sign Southern Illinois fullback Ray Agnew (5-foot-10, 247 pounds) as an undrafted free agent, but it's unclear why they chose to jettison Pressley two months prior to training camp. They still have converted fullback Chris Ogbonnaya on the roster.

Pressley, who debuted with Tampa Bay in 2009 as an unrestricted free agent, didn't play last season as he recovered from a knee injury. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 13, 2012 and opened last year on the club's physically unable to perform list. He returned to practice in November, but was waived Dec. 10, 2013.

Cooper caught 17 passes for 166 yards over two seasons with the Browns. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012 after playing with Brandon Weeden at Oklahoma State. In addition, the team waived receiver Tori Gurley, running back Jamaine Cook, offensive linemen Anthony Dima and Michael Philipp, defensive lineman Elhadji Ndiaye and tight end Andre Smith.

The Browns signed seven players as well:

-WR Anthony Armstrong is 5-10, 185 pounds and officially entering his fourth NFL season out of West Texas A & M. Originally signed by Miami as an undrafted free agent in 2008, Armstrong has appeared in 35 games with 13 starts. He has totaled 54 receptions for 986 yards with five touchdowns. In 2010, he appeared in 15 games with Washington and recorded 44 receptions for 871 yards with three touchdowns. In college, he registered 145 receptions for 1,768 yards and nine touchdowns. A native of Carrollton, Texas, he graduated from Newman Smith High School.

-RB Jourdan Brooks is 6-0, 237 pounds and officially in his first NFL season out of Morgan State. Originally signed by Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent, Brooks spent 10 weeks on the Bengals practice squad in 2012. He spent two years at Rutgers and transferred to Morgan State, where his father was an all-conference linebacker for MSU's 1979 MEAC championship team. A native of Germantown, Md., Brooks graduated from Seneca Valley High School.

-WR Taylor Gabriel is a 5-8, 167-pound rookie out of Abilene Christian. He finished second in ACU history in career receptions (215), yards (3,027) and touchdown receptions (27). Gabriel ranked fourth in school history in total yards with 3,880, trailing Browns running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery, who is second with 4,569. Gabriel is a graduate of John Horn High School in Mesquite, Texas.

-OL Randall Harris is a 6-3, 296-pound rookie out of Towson. He started at both guard and tackle and earned all-conference honors, while blocking for Browns third-round pick Terrance West. Harris helped the Tigers advance to the 2014 FCS national championship game. A native of Lanham, Md., Harris graduated from DuVal High School.

-DL Jacobbi McDaniel is a 6-0, 293-pound rookie out of Florida State. He appeared in all 14 games last season and recorded one-half sack during the Seminoles' victory in the BCS championship game. McDaniel also starred in baseball in high school and was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers during the 2009 MLB draft. A native of Greenville, Fla., McDaniel graduated from Madison County High School.

-DB Robert Nelson is a 5-9, 175-pound rookie out of Arizona State. Last season, he led the Sun Devils with six interceptions and earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors. He began his collegiate career at Louisiana-Monroe before transferring to ASU.  A native of Lakeland, Fla., Nelson graduated from North Gwinnet High School.

-TE James Oboh is a 6-4, 250-pound rookie out of Towson. He appeared in 38 games and caught 50 passes for 811 yards with 10 touchdowns. He helped the Tigers advance to the 2014 FCS national championship game. A native of Olney, Md., Oboh graduated from Sherwood High School.

Leadoff with Lee 4.17.14

-The Cleveland Cavaliers finished the season with a 114-85 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Tyler Zeller led the team in scoring with 22 points in addition to his 10 rebounds. Dion Waiters had 19 points and Kyrie Irving added 15 of his own. The Cavs starters sat most, if not all of the 4th quarter. Cleveland had 7 players score in double figures mostly in garbage time. The Cavs finish the season 33-49 as they head into the offseason preparing for the draft and free agency.

-The Tribe won the 1st of 19 meetings with the Detroit Tigers last night with a 3-2 victory. Indians pitcher Zack Mcallister improves his record to 2-0(2.04 era) with 6 innings pitched, giving up only 4 hits and 1 earned run. Catcher Yan Gomes had the hot bat going 2-4 with 2 RBIs. Closer John Axford recorded his 5th save of the season. This has to be a confidence booster for Axford. He blew his last save attempt on April 13 against the Chicago White Sox. The Indians will play the final game of this series today at 1:00 pm.

-The Johnny Manziel watch is on. He is expected to hold a private workout for the Browns this weekend. Alabama quarterback A.J McCarron worked out for the Browns yesterday and will visit the team sometime next week. Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray will also visit the Browns next week and will workout with them the week after.

-The Columbus Blue Jackets lose game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs,to the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3. Game 2 will be on Saturday, the puck drops at 7pm