News
Indians hope Cabrera keeps producing
Boston (13-6) at Cleveland (7-13), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
04/28/09 12:15 AM ET
Asdrubal Cabrera is back where he was in 2007, and Mark DeRosa is trying to get back to basics. Such is the story with the No. 2 spot in the Indians' batting order. It's a spot that manager Eric Wedge feels has a direct impact on the rest of the Tribe's struggling offense -- an offense that hopes to ignite against Red Sox right-hander Brad Penny on Tuesday night. Wedge knows what he's looking for in the second spot. He wants a table-setter who can move Grady Sizemore over and set up RBI opportunities for Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner, who will be back in the lineup on Tuesday after consecutive days off. "You have to manipulate the bat head, put the ball in play, be a tough out and put up a tough at-bat," Wedge said. "[The No. 2 spot] is a very underrated spot in the order." DeRosa underperformed in the spot. He took a .195 batting average and .271 on-base percentage into this three-game series -- numbers that caused his demotion to the lower third of Wedge's order. The concern with DeRosa entering the season is that readjusting to American League pitching after two years with the Cubs might be a struggle for him, but he doesn't want to use the opposition as an excuse. "There are a ton of pitchers I am seeing for the first time and getting a feel for," DeRosa said. "But to be honest, the pitcher has been inconsequential right now. I'm battling some demons in my own head. I need to stop doing that and start simplifying the game." DeRosa was demoted over the weekend and offered no objection. "I think it helps the team," he said. "I don't think it helps me. I expected it. It didn't come as a shock. [When the team is struggling], you can't keep running out the same lineup if it's not producing runs." When Cabrera burst onto the big league scene in August 2007, his performance in the two-hole was a major factor in the Indians' surge to the AL Central title. But in '08, Cabrera struggled at the outset of the season and was demoted to Triple-A by June. This season, Cabrera put together a .339 average with a .456 on-base percentage to start the year, and he reclaimed his old spot. "I don't care what position I hit in," Cabrera said. "I'm not thinking about that. I know what kind of job I have to do in the second spot. But for me, it's the same work [as before]." Wedge said that what Cabrera is doing at the plate now is "more real" than what he did in 2007, because the league's pitchers have adjusted to him. As for DeRosa, he's confident that he'll be back near the top of the lineup before long. "This is just something I have to grind through," he said. "Everybody goes through it at different stages of the season. Mine is coming at a time that's really magnified." Pitching matchupCLE: RHP Anthony Reyes (1-0, 4.76 ERA)
Reyes didn't have his best command against the Royals on Thursday, but he didn't give in to the fight. He went six innings, allowing just two runs on four hits with four walks and five strikeouts for a no-decision. His teammates committed two errors behind him, but he limited the damage. Reyes has been a pretty effective fifth starter to this point. He'll be facing the Red Sox for the first time in his career. BOS: RHP Brad Penny (2-0, 7.80 ERA)
Despite his high ERA, Penny has turned in quality starts in two of his first three outings. Most recently, he earned a victory over the Twins, giving up six hits and three runs over six innings, walking one and striking out two. This will be his first career appearance against the Indians. Tribe tidbits
Cliff Lee worked eight scoreless innings, limiting the Red Sox to just five hits in a no-decision on Monday night. He has lowered his season ERA from 12.46 after Opening Day to 3.94. ... Tribe starters have lasted at least five innings in 16 straight games. ... Triple-A Columbus outfielder Matt LaPorta was named the International League Player of the Week after batting .520 with 13 hits, 10 runs scored and a .613 on-base percentage last week. He had a hit in all seven games, and multihit efforts in four of them. ... The Indians will once again offer fans the opportunity to play ball at Progressive Field through the "One-Day Baseball Experience." Participants 25 and older will receive a full uniform, including two replica jerseys, and will fraternize with former Indians players Bob Feller, Len Barker, Joe Charboneau and Kevin Rhomberg. For more information, visit Indians.com or call 216-420-HITS. Tickets
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• Wednesday: Indians (Fausto Carmona, 1-3, 7.36) vs. Red Sox (Jon Lester, 1-2, 4.88), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Indians (Carl Pavano, 0-3, 9.50) at Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 3-0, 1.85), 7:05 p.m. ET
Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
