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Blake Wood has always had serious stuff. His problem is controlling it and controlling baserunners. His walk rate was high and he could not hold a runner. They changed his delivery a little for the second part, but his success will all depend on his walk rate.

I'm not that worried yet because its early, but if this is any indication..we have a very weak pitching staff.

I would like to see the time stamp on that photo. I seem to remember seeing that picture a few years ago. Could be my imagination though.

Well the bats got warmed up yesterday

That photo was from the opener. @ClevelandFrowns took it and wrote up the story, although it was semi-staged.

What does semi staged mean?

According to his article, he was filming a documentary on Chief Wahoo and the Indians name. He interviewed the guy in red face somewhere separately and asked if he'd be willing to share his opinion with a Native American protester. The guy said yes, so he walked him over to the protest and then filmed it. It wasn't a naturally started conversation.

This Morgan guy is doing a nice job filling in for Bourn ..

besides his hyperactive batting ritual..lol, he's been a nice suprise. On the other end, I think Pestano is about done...he don't trust his arm anymore and he don't have the velocity that made him a great setup guy. And is there a worse contract to performance player than swish right now...I really want him to come around because he seems excited to be here. But man between his 0-season (exaggerating, but not much) and his mental lapses in the field.. I wonder if moving him to RF or DH for a bit might get him turned around.

yeah, murphy needed a good streak early, i hope it carries..he's got decent pop. And lonnie is hitting like we all thought he would. Sooner or later we are going to have to see him play D though.

I like CC Lee. Last year when he was brought up, I joked that he was a combination of CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee ...... but I do think that he has a future as a solid reliever.

Indians demote Vinnie Pestano to Triple-A, recall reliever C.C. Lee | cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2014/04/indians_demote_vinnie_pestano.html#incart_2box

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Vinnie Pestano is headed to Triple-A Columbus, where the Indians hope he can straighten himself out.

Cleveland optioned the scuffling reliever on Wednesday morning. The Indians recalled right-hander C.C. Lee to take his spot on the big league roster.

In three appearances this season, Pestano has surrendered six runs (four earned) on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs (one earned), including a 422-foot home run by Xavier Nady, in the ninth inning on Tuesday.

"I just think when he makes a mistake right now, he's paying for it," manager Terry Francona said.

Pestano served as the Indians' primary set-up man in 2011-12, but waded through a subpar 2013 campaign marred by injuries, inconsistency and a mid-season demotion to Triple-A. He had to fight for a roster spot this spring, and since the day he was awarded a position in the bullpen, he has struggled.

Following an outing against the Twins on Saturday in which he yielded two runs on three hits in one inning, Pestano said he was "pitching for my life" and added that he felt the best he has in a long time, which made his results even more discouraging.

"I think he's really tough on himself," Francona said. "I think that's part of what makes him good and at the same time can probably make you go crazy."

Nice win in Game 1.

THAT pitch! Axford struck out Venable on a pitch that dropped from Venable's chest to his feet. Insane. And the guts to throw that pitch with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Nice.

Good 2-0 win.

Sounds like major replay blunder in game two. Hammy and even the San Diego announcers say NY got the replay wrong and Tribe should have had a catch for an out in the first inning. Cost Tribe a run.

I bet Bud has them watching replays on those "fat" monitor standard def TV sets...

They said that rule was just changed yesterday, you can't drop the ball when taking it out of your glove or the runner is safe. Stupid rule change IMO.

Changing rules during the season? Doesn't seem right.

Yea, it was changed mid-game based on how an official called it on the field.. doesn't MLB have a rules committee or something that has to discuss and vote on rule changes and how they will be interpreted?

According to the one spot I saw, the way the rule is interpreted now, if you catch the ball, run 10 steps, hit the wall, fall down, roll over, and while getting up the ball falls to the ground, it's not a catch.. I'm sure that's an exaggeration but this rule needs some clarity..

DC, thats exactly the way the rule is. Complete BS, the rule kinda reminds me of the NFL rule for making catches, like the Calvin Johnson catch.

Not sure what the deal is but our offense is stagnant.. They seem impatient at the plate and swinging at stuff they shouldn't...hope they get it turned around, scoring 2-3 runs a game isn't going to win you many games.

Love Tito , but his line ups drive me crazy some times .. Who the devil is Johnson and why is he batting lead off ? What happens to the roster when Bourn and Giambi come of the DL ?

Just my $.02 but I think Elliot Johnson and a RP will go. Nyjer Morgan has played too good to just cut, who knows maybe a team will step up and try to make a trade for him or better yet we will trade Bourn.

Not sure about injuries for Morgan, he is only 2 years older than Bourn and a whole lot cheaper, don't get me wrong I like Bourn, but Morgan has really impressed me this spring and now into the season.

Is there a way to keep both and even play both? I know neither of them have a cannon for an arm, but I would love the idea of keeping Morgan at leadoff and having Bourn at 9 to lead-in to the top of the lineup...

I must admit that Murphy has looked really nice the last few games after a bit of an ugly start, both in the field and at the plate.

I still like Raburn too. Not a bad problem for Tito to have.

Morgan has played Left in the past...and if I'm not mistaken Right also...I think he's versatile.

Maybe they can move one of em for a bat in the infield there isnt enough quality on the corners. Kip n Cabrera are great in the middle, but Santana/Chisenhall/Swish...theyre good but not great. Just not the needed production from those spots.

also...aaaaanyone to replace Carrasco would be great. He's bad

Actually...

Thats a really good point, and would be good. Hes a good pitcher

I think we need a replacement for salazar as well...i don't think he's got the control or pitch selection to be a starter. He can't eat innings and he's a feast or famine. I think he'd be a lights out middle reliever or setup guy..even closer

Think it's too early to make that call. I'm more concerned about his durability. Power pitchers usually have high pitch counts, due to the strikeouts. Don't know if he has the body over the long haul. There is something to be said for striking out 10 in 3.2 innings, but when he made mistakes the hitters didn't miss.

Thats kind of his MO, he won't get you starter innings due to pitch count if he is striking people out, or if he's not controlling his very infant off-speed stuff they are going to run him out.. He's pitched like 8 innings in two outings combined and has given up double digit runs and 3 home runs already. I want alot better production from a starter. He keeps playing like this I think you'll see him back down again. This is on the staff to teach him and get him comfortable with some other pitches other than good ol number 1. The book is out on him, he's going to throw hard and he's going to make mistakes, be patient at the plate. Hitters are doing that now and making him work and his pitch count is up quickly.. Yeah he's getting his strikeouts but his consistency and willpower ain't there. Thats why i think he'd be a great short inning reliever or setup guy. Let him come in and over power guys at the end of the games when they are tired or used to seeing a guy that doesn't throw as hard. I mean today 3.2 innings and 93 pitches...thats horrible, as you say, he won't last long and durability is going to become a concern.

I think that the Indians have been extremely careful with Salazar during spring training as well.

I think that he is going to be a superstar pitcher. His arm is just incredible, and he understands how to pitch. He has a very good mental makeup, and doesn't seem to get rattled easily. I just wonder if he has even gotten properly stretched out yet. They are still treating his arm with the utmost of care.

And why is Morgan sittin on the bench ?

career avg of .205 vs lefties.

There are a whole bunch folks starting everyday that are hitting less than that and Morgan is hot right now .

He's still young...I think that he has a ton of potential that will really benefit us. He's gonna be a gem

Quote:

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There are a whole bunch folks starting everyday that are hitting less than that and Morgan is hot right now .

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Murphy and Brantley both fare much better against lefties in their career and are both off to good starts? Why would play Morgan against a lefty when you have better options?

I agree on the second game vs the Padres that Morgan should have been out there in center, with Brantley in LF and Raburn in RF vs having Elliot Johnson start and lead off, that move I don't understand. but typically vs lefties you aren't going to see Morgan.

I really like Francona but his lineups have me shaking my head. I don't think we have seen the same lineup 2 games in a row. I think players need to play more than just 1 game in a row to get going, just my opinion. Most of your bench players are bench players for a reason.

Starting lineups:

Indians

SS Asdrubal Cabrera

1B Nick Swisher

2B Jason Kipnis

3B Carlos Santana

DH Ryan Raburn

CF Michael Brantley

C Yan Gomes

LF Mike Aviles

RF Elliot Johnson

WTF, where is Nyger Morgan again tonight!!!