Perk on hard fouls: “We don’t have time for that s—. That ain’t cool.”
March 5, 2015Ohio State Men’s Basketball with the 14th best odds to win the title
March 5, 2015The Cleveland Indians added another Spring Training contest to their 2015 resume. Here’s a look at the last 24 (or so) hours of Tribe baseball.
Giddyup: Josh Tomlin got the start on Wednesday and T.J. House received his first innings of the year. Michael Bourn, Ryan Raburn, and Francisco Lindor also made their 2015 debuts.
The Little Cowboy is another year removed from Tommy John surgery, which is generally when people believe that a pitcher regains his prior form. Tomlin did not have a good start to 2015, however, as he gave up a towering homerun to Reds leadoff hitter Billy Hamilton, who to this point has averaged one home run every 100 MLB plate appearances. He continued his fly ball pitching ways by giving up hard hit doubles to Skip Schumaker and non-roster invite Chris Dominguez, while also inducing a couple of harmless fly balls (Todd Frazier and Brennan Boesch). To close the inning, Tomlin recorded his first strike out against Brayan Pena, and he looked much better in the second, which he was able to get through unscathed.
T.J. House, on the other hand, had no initial struggles as he came in and immediately shut down the Reds lineup (worth noting the same lineup that Tomlin faced as the Reds kept the game’s starters in for him). He pitched 2 perfect innings and tossed in a couple of strike outs for the fans in the crowd. You might say that our House is in order1.
Lindor, Lindor, Lindor: Shortstop and All-World prospect Francicso Lindor is only going to continue to get hyped if he can match his defense (a leaping grab in the top of the second inning) with solid at bats. In his first at-bat of 2015, he worked the count and singled a hard grounder into center field for a hit from the second spot in the lineup. Lindor then followed it up with a line drive hit to left field his next time up.
Also, worth noting, is that there has been a bit of an under current of rumors that outfielder (2013 surprise and 70-and-up jersey-wearing) Carlos Moncrief has looked good thus far in spring. Today he justified those rumors with a dominant four hits in four at bats, which included hitting a double and scoring the Indians first run of 2015.
I also should give a shout-out to Ryan Raburn’s defense. The often chided outfielder had a solid day in the field including recording all three outs in the top of the fourth inning.
Other Indians Notes:
• Outfielder Brandon Moss continues to be ahead of schedule in his rehab. He was supposed to not get into a game until the middle of this month, but he might be pushing for earlier action. “He’s streaking along, actually. It’s hard to slow him down,” Francona said. “He’s passing every test they give him. … He’s coming quick. I don’t know the date he’ll be in a game, but surprisingly, it’s not going to be really far off. He’s doing a really good job.”
• The bronze medalist in the 2014 AL MVP race, Michael Brantley, is expected to make his spring debut Thursday.
• Francona has not given a firm date for second baseman Jason Kipnis, but indicated that he should make his debut this weekend.
• Do not expect to see Nick Swisher as soon though as mid-March is still the current return target. The full update on Swisher was February 26 when he struggled running, looked limited in drills, and had to have a controlled swing in the cages. I will continue to track and hopefully we get some positive news soon, but it seems like the mid-March target might be aggressive.
• And finally, MLB is doing a better job of packaging highlights already this spring. Here is Yan Gomes making Zack Cozart look like a fool for thinking he can steal second base on him in yesterday’s game. YANIMAL!
- it is so cheesy and terrible that I like it [↩]
7 Comments
Brandon Gathers No Moss, Goes Streaking Towards Recovery.
bode, I can help you write the cheesy sports play on word headlines. Since you’re a nice guy, this one is free.
I see no reason whatsoever to rush Swisher. He’s going to be on the roster regardless, so it’s not like other spots are up in the air waiting. Might as well bring him along gradually.
Agreed. I just worry that he won’t be healthy at all this year. Coming back from both knees being hurt is difficult.
Not going to do a recap for game3 (all ST games would be insane), but there were a few noteworthy things that I’ll just bury here:
(1) Carlos Santana had a great day at 1B. He saved 3 bad throws from being errors (2 from Lonnie & he had play where he actually got an error) and was able to catch & tag on one of them where he felt himself coming off the bag.
(2) Bruce Chen had a good day. Calmly went about 2IP w/ 3SO. Complete control.
(3) Trevor Bauer might want to just pick a few pitches and master them. Anyway, he looked allright, but gave up a whole bunch of contact even though he only gave up 1 ER. Was surprised that he was the first pitcher that Francona let go 3 innings.
(4) Yan Gomes is good. I think he should stick with this baseball thing and see where it leads him.
I approve of all cheesy and terrible plays on TJ House’s name.
The run Bauer gave up was unearned,
you are correct. good catch.