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~