Bullpen Battered in the Ninth, Lose to Seattle

Score: Mariners 7 Indians 2


Turning Point: Rafael Betancourt came on in a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth, and he promptly gave the lead back to Seattle. Betancourt gave up back to back base hits to start the inning, and then he left a fastball out over the plate to Adrian Beltre, who planted it in the right field seats. That would put the Mariners over the top in this one.


Analysis: The Tribe has officially fallen back into their offensive lull that they were in at the beginning of the season. The middle of the order was a combined 1-11 with an RBI. The lineup has been weak in its at bats, putting little to no focus in during their at bats. It’s clear either a shake up is needed, but the team is not responding. On the mound Fausto Carmona didn’t have his “A” material, but he only allowed two runs. Masa Kobayashi held the Mariners in check, but the big blow came in the ninth inning off the bat of Adrian Beltre. After Betancourt imploded, Craig Breslow followed suit only getting one batter out and giving up three hits and two runs. Tom Mastny was finally able to end the ninth.


MVP: Grady Sizemore
Grady had a successful return to the lineup tonight, after having the two previous nights off. Sizemore was 2-4 with two doubles, and he scored both of the Indians runs.


Extras:

- David Dellucci is a bright spot in what has been a rather dismal start to the season. He is hitting .283, which is fifty three points higher than last year. He is tied for second on the team in home runs with three, and he has ten RBIs.

- Ryan Garko was benched tonight. Garko, who is in the throws of a 0-23 slump, received what Indians manager, Eric Wedge, called a “mental health day.” Andy Marte started in place of Garko at third base, and Casey Blake moved over to play first base.

- With Beltre’s ninth inning homer, the Indians have now given up six home runs in the ninth inning. That’s not exactly a good stat for the bullpen. The bullpen also threw 54 pitches in the ninth inning.


Next Up: Cleveland looks to even the series tomorrow night with the Mariners. The unstoppable, Cliff Lee, will make the start for Cleveland. Lee is 4-0 with a 0.28 ERA. The M’s will pitch Jarrod Washburn. Washburn is 1-3 with a 4.03 ERA. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM from Progressive Field.