Carmona, Indians Clobber Tigers

Score: Indians 11 Tigers 1


Turning Point: There are a few plays to pick from, but it has to be Jason Michaels play in the top of sixth inning. With Gary Sheffield on second and Magglio Ordonez on first, Carlos Guillen lined a pitch into left field. Jason Michaels picked up the ball and threw a one hopper to the plate to nail Sheffield. That kept the game at a 5-1 Indians lead, and it killed any kind of a Tiger rally.


Analysis: Turn about is fair play. A night after getting crushed by the Tigers, the Indians gave the Motor City Kitties a taste of their own medicine. The bats got going early in this one. The bottom of the second saw the Indians plate three runs, and got Justin Verlander off his game early. But more importantly, it was the bottom half of the lineup that produced the runs. Casey Blake and Franklin Gutierrez both got hits in the inning, and Blake and Jason Michaels drove in runs. Then after, Michael’s crucial play in the top of the sixth, Cleveland erupted for five more runs in the bottom half of the inning. The Tribe would ass on more run for insurance. Is the slump over? Only time will tell, but this is a step in the right direction. From the bump, Fausto Carmona was back on his game tonight. Carmona struggled to find the strike zone a little early, but once he found his groove, Carmona was electric. He pitched 6 and 2/3, allowed seven hits, one run, and struck out two. The bullpen was solid as they held the Tigers in check, and didn’t give up a run for the first time since last Sunday.


MVP: Jamey Carroll
The scrappy Carroll was crucial in getting the Indians’ runs on the board. Carroll drove in runs in the second and sixth innings. Carroll was 2-4, with a triple, and the two RBIs. He also had a walk. Carroll continues to play very well in limited playing time.


Extras:

- The bottom three of the lineup that consists of Franklin Gutierrez, Jason Michaels, and Casey Blake went 5-12 with four RBIs. That is a far cry from the 1-9 they batted last night.

- Travis Hafner flashed some opposite field power on his home run in the sixth. Hafner was late on a middle of the plate fastball, and he was able to muscle it out to left field. The home run also drove his RBI total up to twelve, which is the team high.

- Fausto Carmona dropped his ERA from 2.20 to 1.96.

- Jason Michaels outfield assist in the sixth was his second already on the young season.

- The Indians finish their first full home stand of the season at 2-5. They are now 4-6 at home this season.


Next Up: The Indians hit the road to the Twin Cities to take on the Minnesota Twins. The Tribe sends Cliff Lee, who has been as dominating as ever, in his first two starts. Lee is 2-0 with a 0.61 ERA. The Twins will send out young fireballer, Francisco Liriano. Liriano, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, will make his second start since coming back. Liriano is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA. First pitch is tomorrow night at 8:10 PM EST from the Hubert H. Humphery Metrodome.