Finally, Off The Schneid. For Now.

Indians 5, Rangers 2 (box)

Why does it seem like the one time we finally have some good news to write about (a win), it has to be served with a side-dish of injury news that will be a huge hit to our currently-strong pitching staff? In what was hoped would be a day-to-day type of injury for Fausto Carmona has landed the young gun on the 15-day disabled list with what is being called a hip strain.

But in what appears to be in fantasy baseball-like fashion, Jake Westbrook (1-2, 2.73 ERA) appears ready to pick up where he left off, and will just take Fausto’s spot in the rotation. This means more Aaron Laffey (2-3, 1.6o ERA), along with Jake who is currently sporting one of the better WHIPS for a starting pitcher with 1.11 and a 2.13 GB/FB ratio. We’re not exactly destitute here, as long as the bats keep up…

Which they did once again last night. While it wasn’t a slug-fest like the night previous, the Tribe actually scored in multiple innings. It just so happens that most “scoring” was done when one Ben Francisco had a plate appearance. The outfielder continues to mash, hitting at a clip of .365/.397/.619 – an OPS of 1.016.

Unlike two nights ago when the slugger was robbed of a home run, Francisco made sure that there would be no debate last night when he put one out about 360 feet to the home run porch in left. His other hit, on a 2-for-4 night, was a lead-off double that allowed him to score on the very next at-bat (Michael Aubrey). Even his outs were of the “long” variety, putting one even further than his home run; but to center field, just short of the 405-marker.

If you can’t tell, I’m a big fan of this kid and it pained me to see him in the minors after the season began. Simply taking into account that he was called up not even weeks ago, and he’s batting clean-up should be enough support. At some point, sending a guy back to the minors simply because the other guys ahead of him are out of options is just silly. I would assume that one would want to field the best team possible. If you’re overpaying others, that’s your fault – not the fans, not the rest of the team that has to endure [what was] one of the worst platoons in modern day baseball.

Francisco is 26, which by most calculations means that he’s still entering his prime. He may not project to be the next Manny Ramirez, but he’s a huge upgrade from what his predecessors provided.

Now let’s take today’s game and forget that this whole seven-straight thing even happened. What do you say?

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