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.

Leadoff with Lee 4.12.15 #Manziel #Browns #Steelers #Pouncey #Indians

By @cleeverizon

- After spending the last 10 weeks in an in-patient rehab treatment facility, Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel was released yesterday.

So what is the next step?

From what I have been told, Johnny will start outpatient treatment with group and individual meetings. At this point, it's not known how long or often these sessions will take place. Manziel has been in close contact with his family since his release. He's expected to rejoin the team on or before April 20th, when the Browns start their offseason training program. Reports have been positive on Manziel's progress since entering the rehabilitation program according to head coach Mike Pettine.

Now the issue is will Manziel be a better person and teammate? Will he be the teams quarterback of the future? Will the Browns draft another quarterback this year? Will they trade for another quarterback this year? With the 2015 NFL draft quickly approaching on April 30th,there's not a lot a time,and they need a lot of answers.

-The Browns found their pass catching tight end by signing former Arizona Cardinal Rob Houlser. His contract is a 1 year deal worth $1.76M and includes a $750K signing bonus. The 6'5", 250lbs Housler appeared in 55 games, and totaled 105 receptions for 1,133 yards and one touchdown. His numbers in 2014 were the lowest of his career, 9 catches for 129 yards. This is definitely a great move by the Browns to fill a void left by Jordan Cameron despite the numbers Housler put up last season.

-The NFL has released the Browns 2015 preseason schedule. The traditional Great Lake Classic game with Detroit will not be played this year. The Browns will face the Buffalo Bills in a Thursday night Primetime game on ESPN. Could we possibly call this the GLC part Deux, seeing as how Buffalo and Chicago are both on Great Lakes?

- Over the past several days there have been some possible leaks to the Browns new uniforms showing up on several different websites. Word on the street these are the real deal. I can neither confirm or deny that they are or are not, but I will say I was told they are about dead on.

- Indians manager Terry Francona said Yan Gomes has a sprained right knee and MRI will happen Sunday (today). With the injury to Gomes and the struggling bullpen, the Tribe made a few roster moves last night. Triple A catcher Brett Hayes along with pitchers Austin Adams and Shaun Marcum are headed to Cleveland and will be added to the roster today.

- Dolphins center Mike Pouncey agrees on 5-year, $52.15 million ($22 million guaranteed) extension with Miami. Pouncey is now the highest paid center in the NFL. Mike Pouncey's extension increases the likelihood of Browns center Alex Mack voiding his contract in 2016, the final 3 years, being worth $24M, of his five-year, $42M deal.

- Troy Polamalu has retired from the Pittsburg Steelers and the NFL. The safety is a 8-time Pro Bowler, 2-time Super Bowl Champ and was the 2010 NFL Defensive Player of Year. Since entering the league in 2003,Troy Polamalu and Charles Woodson are only players with at least 30 interceptions,10 forced fumbles & 10 sacks.

- Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell has been suspended for the first 3 games of the 2015 NFL season for DUI and possession of marijuana. Bell is expected to appeal the suspension. Former teammate LeGarrette Blount was only suspended 1 game for violating the substance abuse policy. In 2014 Bell set a team record with 2,115 yards from scrimmage, along with 83 receptions, a team record for a running back.

- Seven Kentucky basketball players declare for the NBA draft. Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Devin Booker, Dakari Johnson, Trey Lyles, and Aaron and Andrew Harrison all stated their intent Thursday to enter the NBA draft. Kentucky will break their own record of six picks set in 2012. Kentucky is losing 85% of its points, 83.2% of its blocked shots, 78.3% of its steals, 77% of its rebounds and 69.6% of its assists from the 2014-15 season.

- Wisconsin junior Sam Dekker is leaving for the NBA. The forward averaged 19.2 points in NCAA tournament. In more Badger Nation news, Frank Kaminsky is to win the John R. Wooden Award as the most nation's outstanding player.

- Warriors guard Steph Curry made his 273rd 3-pointer of year Thursday night, breaking his own NBA record set in 2012-13 season.