News
Tribe hitters trying to pick up slack
Cleveland (10-17) at Boston (16-10), 7:10 p.m. ET
By David Singh / Special to MLB.com
05/05/09 7:19 PM ET
TORONTO -- Much has been made about the current state of the Indians' bullpen. It's hard not to pay attention to the relief corps, given the fact that it has cost the club several victories.However, as dark as the bullpen picture has been for Cleveland, the club can take solace that its offense has recently been the equivalent of a shining light. Such a light will be needed as the Tribe embark on a two-game set beginning Wednesday at Fenway Park against the always-competitive Red Sox.
Though the Indians split their recent two-game series with the Blue Jays, the offense displayed a consistent level of resiliency. It seemed like every time Toronto took a lead, Cleveland's hitters battled back.
On Monday, the Tribe created three run-scoring rallies, twice coming back from deficits and eventually securing a hard-fought win. Then, in Tuesday's loss, it was more of the same, as the Indians displayed a valiant effort, battling back to take a seventh-inning lead before the bullpen surrendered it.
"Offensively, these guys have been fighting," said Cleveland manager Eric Wedge. "The energy, the attitude and everything -- you can't ask for it to be better."
Wedge also commended his offense for not letting the bullpen's struggles permeate into its outlook.
"These guys are being tested in a big way right now," Wedge said. "We all are. One thing you can't do is give into it. It's an emotional game. It can wear on you, but you've got to separate it from day to day. We've always done a pretty good job of that.
"It doesn't take away from what kind of fight our kids have. It doesn't take away from the way these guys keep pushing it offensively and working to get a lead or retake a lead, whatever it may be."
Pitching matchupCLE: RHP Carl Pavano (1-3, 7.46 ERA)
Pavano turned in a gem against the Tigers on Friday, going 7 1/3 innings and allowing just two runs on five hits with no walks and three strikeouts. He was masterful for the first seven innings, allowing no runs and just three hits and not letting any runner past first base. It was his longest outing since a shutout of the Mariners way back on May 17, 2005, when he was with the Yankees. Pavano will look to keep it going against the Red Sox, against whom he is 1-3 with an 8.18 ERA in five career starts. He is 0-2 with a 24.75 ERA lifetime at Fenway Park. BOS: RHP Justin Masterson (2-1, 4.37 ERA)
The right-hander was on his way to a pretty good performance in his last outing when one ill-fated pitch ruined the entire day. That pitch was a mislocated sinker that Evan Longoria belted for a grand slam in a 6-2 Rays win. Masterson went six innings, giving up six hits and six runs while walking three and striking out six. In his three starts, Masterson is 2-1 with a 4.32 ERA. This will be Masterson's first career start against the Indians. He has faced them three times out of the bullpen in his career, striking out four and not allowing a run over 3 1/3 innings. Tidbits
Joe Corrado, a 94-year-old usher for the Indians, has passed away. He served as a ballpark usher for 59 years (1949-2008). ... Travis Hafner (right shoulder soreness) visited Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday for an assessment of his shoulder. Wedge said following Tuesday's game that no update was yet available. Hafner was accompanied on the trip by head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff. ... The radio broadcast for Cleveland's game on Thursday has been changed, and it will now air on WMMS 100.7 FM. ... In Monday night's game, Matt LaPorta became the second player this year to collect a home run as his first Major League hit. The first was Atlanta's Jordan Schafer. ... Victor Martinez extended his hitting streak to 14 games Tuesday. Tickets
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• WTAM 1100 Up next
• Thursday: Indians (Aaron Laffey, 2-0, 4.09) at Red Sox (Tim Wakefield, 3-1, 2.91), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Friday: Indians (Cliff Lee, 1-4, 3.92) vs. Tigers (Justin Verlander, 2-2, 5.66), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Indians (Fausto Carmona, 1-3, 6.11) vs. Tigers (TBD), 7:05 p.m. ET
David Singh is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
