SB Nation Cleveland - Open Day 2011: Indians Look To Start With A Win Over White Soxhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48841/cleveland-fave.png2011-03-29T16:57:57-05:00http://cleveland.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17571022011-03-29T16:57:57-05:002011-03-29T16:57:57-05:00Reds Beat Tribe In Exhibition Finale, Though Choo Homers Twice; Tribe Finishes 15-14 In Arizona
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<p><span>Justin Masterson</span> lost his last tuneup of the spring, <span>Rafael Perez</span> was hammered for four runs in a third of an inning, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a> ended the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a>’ spring with an 8-3 victory this afternoon. leaving Cleveland a game above .500 at 15-14, but having won eight of their final eleven games.</p>
<p>Masterson went five innings, giving up three runs — two earned — and six hits, posting six K’s. <span>Jess Todd</span> pitched two scoreless innings before Perez came on and the game fell out of reach.</p>
<p><span>Shin-Soo Choo</span> homered twice for the Tribe, which was about all that can be said for the offense. The third Cleveland run scored on a sac fly, as the Indians were held to seven hits by <span>Bronson Arroyo</span> and four relievers.</p>
<p>The next game on-deck is against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">Chicago White Sox</a> on Friday afternoon in Cleveland.</p>
<p>Bring it on!</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-indians/2011/3/29/2079489/reds-beat-tribe-in-exhibition-finale-though-choo-homers-twice-tribeAncientMariner2011-03-29T15:28:17-05:002011-03-29T15:28:17-05:00Tribe Ending Cactus League Schedule Today Against Our Downstate Rivals
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a>, assured of a winning spring at 15-13 after yesterday’s win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a>, are taking on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a> this afternoon in the final Cactus League action of the year for The Good Guys.</p>
<p><span>Justin Masterson</span> gets his final tuneup of the preseason in the game against the defending NL Central champions, who come in with a record of 16-14.</p>
<p>Manny Acta’s lineup looks like this:</p>
<p>1) <span>Shin-Soo Choo</span> (L) RF<br> 2) <span>Asdrubal Cabrera</span> (S) SS<br> 3) <span>Travis Buck</span> (L) CF<br> 4) <span>Shelley Duncan</span>® LF<br> 5) <span>Travis Hafner</span> (L) DH<br> 6) <span>Matt LaPorta</span>® 1B<br> 7) <span>Jack Hannahan</span> (L) 3B<br> 8) <span>Adam Everett</span>® 2B<br> 9) <span>Lou Marson</span>® C</p>
<p>Three more days and the games will start “counting”. It cannot get here soon enough.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-indians/2011/3/29/2079303/tribe-ending-cactus-league-schedule-today-against-our-downstate-rivalsAncientMariner2011-03-28T13:17:52-05:002011-03-28T13:17:52-05:00PREVIEW: Rotation, Rotation -- It's All About The Rotation
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<p>When <span>Josh Tomlin</span> beat out <span>David Huff</span> last week for the final spot in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a>’ 2011 rotation, Tomlin became the fourth piece in the starting pitching puzzle that manager Manny Acta hopes will launch Cleveland into contention this season.</p>
<p><span>Fausto Carmona</span> gets the number one spot, followed in order (at this point, at least) by <span>Carlos Carrasco</span>, <span>Justin Masterson</span>, Tomlin and <span>Mitch Talbot</span>.</p>
<p>The five starters had an aggregate record of 37-46 last season. Carrasco appeared in only seven games — all starts — while the other four combined to make 102 starts during the 2010 season which saw the Tribe finish at 69-93, the second straight year with less than 70 wins.</p>
<p>If you look at the rotation as a five-headed monster, the monster had a combined 4.26 <span class="caps">ERA</span> last year. Not awful in the hitter-friendly American League.</p>
<p>Acta set up the rotation to break up the sinker-ball pitchers, not having two in a row set to face anyone. Acta is claiming that every pitcher is the #1 starter on the day he pitches, and the #5 on the day after. I have to say that the idea of nobody being seen as “better” is a nice way of instilling confidence in those following Carmona.</p>
<p>The first month of the season sees only three scheduled days-off, so everyone will need to be ready. It is possible that Talbot could be skipped for his first start, as the schedule has a day off after only three games, but a stretch of nine straight days follows.</p>
<p>Go Tribe!</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-indians/2011/3/28/2076942/preview-rotation-rotation-its-all-about-the-rotationAncientMariner2011-03-27T18:52:45-05:002011-03-27T18:52:45-05:00A Well-Tuned Engine: Fausto Carmona Has Excellent Final Spring Appearance
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<p>In the warm weather, <span>Fausto Carmona</span> ended up going 5-2. Now we will see how things go when the weather is colder and the grip on a baseball not as sure, next Friday at Progressive Field.</p>
<p>Carmona twirled five innings of one-run ball this afternoon — that run being unearned — as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> disposed of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> 6-1, to once again edge over .500 at 14-13 with two games left in spring training.</p>
<p>Four Indians’ pitchers combined to hold the Dodgers to seven hits. Los Angeles’ defense helped matters for the Cleveland hitters by committing four errors, although all six Tribe runs were earned.</p>
<p>No homers were hit, but <span>Shin-Soo Choo</span> collected two hits, <span>Michael Brantley</span> and Choo drove in a pair of runs, and <span>Austin Kearns</span> went 3-for-3 as the Indians unleashed an 11-hit attack.</p>
<p>Cleveland will face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> tomorrow afternoon at 4:05.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-indians/2011/3/27/2075719/a-well-tuned-engine-fausto-carmona-has-excellent-final-springAncientMariner2011-03-27T11:52:44-05:002011-03-27T11:52:44-05:00Tribe's Opening Day Starter Fausto Carmona Gets Final Cactus League Innings Today
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<p>A sure sign that spring training is almost over: The final spring starts for each pitcher in the rotation. Today, <span>Fausto Carmona</span> takes the mound against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> in Arizona, five days before he throws the first pitch of the 2011 season in Cleveland against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a>.</p>
<p>Cleveland comes in having lost their last two games, and sitting dead-even at 13-13 in the Cactus League. The Dodgers, ancient and bitter enemy of the Tribe’s opponent last night — the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> — are 13-18 in spring action.</p>
<p>The Tribe will begin the 4:05 game with these starters:</p>
<p>1) <span>Michael Brantley</span> (L) CF<br>
2) <span>Jayson Nix</span>® 3B<br>
3) <span>Shin-Soo Choo</span> (L) RF<br>
4) <span>Carlos Santana</span> (S) C<br>
5) <span>Travis Hafner</span> (L) DH<br>
6) <span>Austin Kearns</span>® LF<br>
7) <span>Matt LaPorta</span>® 1B<br>
8) <span>Luis Valbuena</span> (L) 2B<br>
9) <span>Adam Everett</span>® SS<br>
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Los Angeles will trot out this lineup in support of <span>Chad Billingsley</span>:</p>
<p>1) <span>Aaron Miles</span> (S) 3B<br>
2) Ivan De Jesus® 2B<br>
3) <span>Andre Ethier</span> (L) RF<br>
4) <span>Matt Kemp</span>® CF<br>
5) <span>James Loney</span> (L) 1B<br>
6) <span>Xavier Paul</span> (L) LF<br>
7) <span>A.J. Ellis</span>® C<br>
8) <span>Jamey Carroll</span>® SS<br>
9) Chad Billingsley® P</p>
<p>The Dodgers will open their season on Thursday — a day earlier than the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> — when they host the Giants.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-indians/2011/3/27/2075118/tribes-opening-day-starter-fausto-carmona-gets-final-cactus-leagueAncientMariner2011-03-27T08:14:58-05:002011-03-27T08:14:58-05:00Giants' Split-Squad Touches Up Tomlin And Durbin, San Fran Wins 8-5
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<p><span>Josh Tomlin</span> worked five innings last night and was touched for five runs on eight hits, striking out five but surrendering two home runs, and <span>Chad Durbin</span> was rocked for three runs in a third of an inning, as a split <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> squad overcame two deficits and dropped the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> to 13-13 on the spring with an 8-5 victory.</p>
<p><span>Shin-Soo Choo</span> and <span>Carlos Santana</span> went deep for the Tribe, which led early 2-0 and 3-2 before falling behind 8-3 in the Giants’ sixth. Cleveland tallied single runs in the eighth and ninth to make the final score a little more respectable.</p>
<p><span>Grady Sizemore</span> played five innings in center field, crashing into a fence, diving and legging out a double in a nice extended stint of game action, although there is, as of yet, no timetable for his actual return once the season begins. Sizemore will no doubt stay behind in Arizona when the Tribe heads north for the beginning of the season and will partake in extended spring training, as many more at-bats are needed before he will be ready to go.</p>
<p>This afternoon the Indians take on the L.A. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> at 4:05. Look for a preview of the game this afternoon.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-indians/2011/3/27/2074816/giants-split-squad-touches-up-tomlin-and-durbin-san-fran-wins-8-5AncientMariner2011-03-26T16:40:25-05:002011-03-26T16:40:25-05:00Indians Face Giants Again, With Josh Tomlin On The Mound
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<p>After facing San Francisco on Thursday night, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> will have a rematch with the defending World Champions tonight at 10:05, with <span>Josh Tomlin</span> getting the start for the Tribe (13-12 in Cactus League play).</p>
<p>San Francisco comes in at 18-11, and seemingly ready to begin defense of their title.</p>
<p>The Indians’ roster is down to 28 now with the demotion of five players yesterday, including four pitchers. Three more cuts must come before the opening of the season Friday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">Chicago White Sox</a>.</p>
<p>San Francisco will send out this starting lineup against Tomlin:</p>
<p>1) <span>Mike Fontenot</span> (L) 2B<br>
2) <span>Nate Schierholtz</span> (L) RF<br>
3) <span>Brandon Belt</span> (L) 1B<br>
4) <span>Aaron Rowand</span>® CF<br>
5) <span>Travis Ishikawa</span> (L) LF<br>
6) <span>Ryan Rohlinger</span>® 3B<br>
7) <span>Brandon Crawford</span> (L) SS<br>
8) <span>Eli Whiteside</span>® C<br>
9) <span>Roger Kieschnick</span> (L) DH</p>
<p>Manny Acta’s Indians will counter with this lineup:<br>
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1) <span>Grady Sizemore</span> (L) CF<br>
2) <span>Asdrubal Cabrera</span> (S) SS<br>
3) <span>Shin-Soo Choo</span> (L) RF<br>
4) <span>Carlos Santana</span> (S) 1B<br>
5) <span>Travis Hafner</span> (L) DH<br>
6) <span>Orlando Cabrera</span>® 2B<br>
7) <span>Travis Buck</span> (L) LF<br>
8) Paul Phillips® C<br>
9) <span>Jack Hannahan</span> (L) 3B</p>
<p>Look for a recap of the game tomorrow morning, as well as a preview of tomorrow’s game against the L.A. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-indians/2011/3/26/2074042/indians-face-giants-again-with-josh-tomlin-on-the-moundAncientMariner2011-03-25T21:16:11-05:002011-03-25T21:16:11-05:00Demotions Overshadow Tribe Loss To Brewers
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<p>As the end of spring training draws nigh, rosters shrink, and a good performance one day is no guarantee that one will find that they are still a member of the big-league squad even the next day.</p>
<p>On Thursday, <span>David Huff</span> and <span>Jeanmar Gomez</span> combined to hold the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> to one run. No matter. On Friday both were sent to Triple-A Columbus, along with outfielder <span>Ezequiel Carrera</span>, according to Yahoo! Sports.</p>
<p>Also, pitchers <span>Anthony Reyes</span> and <span>Doug Mathis</span> were assigned to minor-league camp, according to Yahoo!.</p>
<p>In the game on Friday, <span>Mitch Talbot</span> gave up two home runs — including a grand slam — as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a>’ winning streak ended at six games with a 7-4 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a>.</p>
<p>Talbot gave up a frightening 14 hits in just six innings, to go along with all seven runs. Talbot, whose <span class="caps">ERA</span> in the spring is 8.61, took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth, when it all caved in.</p>
<p><span>Travis Hafner</span> belted his first homer of the Cactus League season for the Tribe, while three Indians contributed two hits apiece to the attack. But when all was said and done, Cleveland had slipped to 13-12 with one week to go until Opening Day.</p>
<p>Rafael and <span>Chris Perez</span> each tossed a scoreless inning for the Indians, who will face the San Francisco Giants tomorrow — again at 10:05 p.m.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-indians/2011/3/25/2072823/demotions-overshadow-tribe-loss-to-brewersAncientMariner