Casablanca, Calvin, and Radiohead: While We’re Waiting…
May 12, 2016After embarrassing on-field incident, Columbus Crew SC trades Kamara to New England
May 12, 2016Over the course of the long MLB season, there are games won that should be lost and games lost that should be won. Wednesday was neither for the Cleveland Indians(16-15). Despite failed attempts to hand the game to the Tribe, the Houston Astros(14-21) had far more (and better) chances throughout the game1 before Marwin Gonzalez mercifully ended the five-hour, nine-minute game with a two-run home run in the sixteenth inning for a walk-off 5-3 Astro victory.
The extra inning game was the third loss in as many attempts for the 2016 Indians beyond the ninth. In fact, the team has yet to score a run in extra innings. The Tribe has also now experienced the agony of four walk-off losses without once obtaining a walk-off vicory for themselves. But such is life when as the team also fell to 0-13 when trailing to begin the eighth inning. Hey, at least Carlos Santana did what he could as he tied the game in the ninth inning with a triple (yes, he was then stranded).
https://vine.co/v/i2nXwEP2Ygn
So, Trevor Bauer won his slot, while neither Corey Kluber nor Danny Salazar could help the team claim victory against what had been the second worst team in the American League entering this series. If the Indians are going to compete for the postseason, then they are going to need to find a way to win more close games especially against struggling teams. The good news is they will get a chance to do so this weekend as the Minnesota Twins (8-25) are 1-10 since they stole a pair of walk-off wins against the Indians in late April.
Keys of the Game
Salazarin: Cunning folk using any means to achieve the end
Coming into the start against the Astros, Salazar had been having a career year with his best ever ERA (1.91), FIP (2.51), WHIP (0.903), and Hits/9IP (4.3). His SO/9 had also risen over 10 for the first time since his 2013 rookie campaign though his BB/9 rose dangerously close to four (3.8). However, the hope was that his walk troubles were left in April as he had a stellar 17:3 strikeout to walk ratio in his two May starts over 14.2 IP.2
Alas, it was not to be as Salazar walked six batters on Wednesday, which was a large reason he tallied 106 pitches in just five innings pitched. Though he gave up only a single run3 and left with a 2-1 lead, Salazar simply did not have great command during the game and the Astros left runners in scoring position in the first, second, and third innings. The bases were loaded in the first two. Salazar appeared to be attempting to pound the lower outside quadrant of the strike zone, but far too often his pitches sailed too far outside. It was just a frustrating start to a frustrating game despite the good statistics he ended up recording.
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Black holes negate bright spots in lineup
A complete absence of offense from six players (including Jose Ramirez who went 0-for-3 in a pinch hitting role) destroyed any chance of the Indians putting more runs on the board. These players went 2-for-34 without any walks.
So, the 12-for-26 combined effort from Jason Kipnis, Mike Napoli, Carlos Santana, and Lonnie Chisenhall was nullified. With these four spread throughout the lineup from two down to eight, there just was not enough hit sequencing to push across runs unless of course Napoli takes things into his own hands.
https://vine.co/v/i2ngZpJVnVb
Yes, Napoli has been on a tear recently as he has reached base in all nine May games. Interestingly, he is doing so despite struggling mightily with fastballs. But, he has made up for it by absolutely crushing sinkers by going 5-for-6 with two home runs and a walk on that particular pitch.
Yan Gomes, on the other hand, might force Terry Francona to move him down further in the batting order. The 2014 Silver Slugger form does not appear to be returning as his struggles are actually becoming greater in what has been a healthy season. His hard hit rate has dropped to a career low (22%) and the entire five percent drop has been added to his soft hit rate (21%). Even batting seventh is too high for the 26 wRC+ hitter (.158/.190/.295).
https://vine.co/v/i2nHpmjvaiL
The nine-armed relief crew
The abbreviated outing from Salazar put undo pressure on the bullpen who emptied every available arm including starter Cody Anderson. In all, the Indians used nine relievers during the game including Tommy Hunter, Kyle Crockett, Zach McAllister, Bryan Shaw, Joba Chamberlain, Jeff Manship, Cody Allen, Dan Otero, and Cody Anderson. The final stat line for the group was 10.1 IP, four earned runs, six walks, and eight strikeouts.
Seeing Marwin Jackson take a slow trot around the bases to end the game could be seen as just another home run given up by Cody Anderson in 2016, but this loss is on the offense not generating runs.
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Number trivia madness
- Salazar joins Daniel Cabrera (for Orioles versus Tampa in 2006) as the only pitcher in the last 100 years to pitch five innings while only giving up one run with at least 10 strikeouts, and six walks4
- So, yes, Santana was the only one to do so while giving up his run on a solo shot.
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- Indians became the third team in 100 years to have at least 12 walks and at least 18 strikeouts joining the 1999 Florida Marlins (versus Houston Astros) and the 2004 Baltimore Orioles (versus Philadelphia Phillies).
- Indians 12th team (all since 1998) to use 10 pitchers and throw 267 pitches in a game. Tribe only the third team among these to give up 10 hits or less.
- Indians only fifth team in last 20 years who hit for 16 innings with one or fewer walks (Santana walked in the 13th inning).
7 Comments
Another number: Yan is in a 2 for 42 slump. He just goes up and swings at everything. I cannot make heads or tails of such a colossal collapse.
I blame myself for the Roberto injury. I was pushing for him to take over as the main starter – injured.
Carrasco is my favorite Indian – injured.
I started calling Jose Ramirez the “real” starting 3B – hurt & maybe injured.
——
Maybe I need to start pretending to like Rajai Davis and Tommy Hunter instead.
If you are the jix, please don’t start “liking” anyone else until we are back to full-strength haha.
Jixes get Stixes
Darn tootin…
It’s heads
Due to timezone issues, got to watch this one beginning to end. Fittingly, I bizarrely listened to hammy a full 2 pitch delay ahead of the video feed on MLB Apple TV.
It was actually a really great game. It was a game neither team deserved to win, but a tight strike zone was the big influence. Blue was forcing the ball across the plate. Salazar was not wild, he was fringe. First base calls were horrible as well.
Gomes needs to sit. Byrd, Uribe and Davis are going to be fighting for spots by late July. Need Brantley back and Ramirez in the leadoff spot. Davis is a 9 hitter in the AL.
Pitching was strong. The game winner was a good pitch from Anderson low in the zone with movement. I’d like to see them bring Merritt up, option Otero.
Right now, it looks like not getting Frasier was a mistake. 11HR. Napoli was a great signing. Davis, Uribe, Byrd not so much. Just waiting for the kids.