SB Nation Cleveland - Indians Vs. Angels: Cleveland Bats Stay Hot In 12-3 Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48841/cleveland-fave.png2012-07-05T10:07:24-05:00http://cleveland.sbnation.com/rss/stream/28978952012-07-05T10:07:24-05:002012-07-05T10:07:24-05:00Even Johnny Damon Is Surprised When He Throws Someone Out
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<p><span>Johnny Damon</span> is getting up there, playing out the sunset of his career with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> this season as they battle for first place in the AL Central. His bat has not been great, and his defense has been bad. But he's never been known for his prowess in the field, particularly when it comes to arm strength. Those witty Boston entrepreneurs hawking t-shirts outside Fenway were fond of the phrase "Looks like Jesus, throws like Mary."</p>
<p>And that's why his play in the top of the third inning on Wednesday was so surprising. Damon raced to the left field line to pick up a grounder from <span>Albert Pujols</span> and came up firing to second. Pujols had decided to try and stretch it out into a double only Damon hit second baseman <span>Jason Kipnis</span> on the fly in plenty of time. But Damon had already turned to talk to the fans along the line, telling them it was a poor throw and assuming the inning was continuing with Pujols on second. But thanks to the fans who had to clue him in, Damon was headed to the dugout with an assist. Quote after the jump:</p>
<p>Via <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2012/07/johnny_damons_throwing_out_alb.html" target="_blank">Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer</a>:</p>
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<p>"The fan goes, "He's out,"" said Damon. "I go, "You're absolutely right." I had absolutely no clue after I threw the ball because I started talking to the fan. That's something I'll definitely remember.""</p>
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<p>Check <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=22836647&topic_id=players&c_id=cle&tcid=vpp_copy_22836647&v=3" target="_blank">video of the play here</a>.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Indians, head over to <a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/">Let's Go Tribe</a>. For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>, visit <a href="http://www.haloshaven.com/">Halos Haven</a>. And for more MLB news and analysis, be sure to check out <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/7/5/3138795/johnny-damon-throw-indians-vs-angels-albert-pujolsBrendan Porath2012-07-04T18:09:00-05:002012-07-04T18:09:00-05:00Indians Vs. Angels: Cleveland Bats Stay Hot In 12-3 Win
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> supplied some early fireworks on the Fourth of July with a 12-3 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> of Anaheim. Cleveland scored nine runs in the first two innings and never looked back.</p>
<p>The scoring got started in the first with a three-run home run from <span>Michael Brantley</span>. The Indians then scored six runs in the second inning, capped off by a three-run home run by <span>Casey Kotchman</span>.</p>
<p>Angels starter Ervin Santana failed to make it out of the second inning, giving up eight runs over one-and-one-third innings pitched.</p>
<p>Picking up the win for the Indians was <span>Derek Lowe</span>, who improved to 8-6. He gave up 11 hits three runs over six innings before giving way to the bullpen.</p>
<p>After taking two of three games from the Angels, the Indians will host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> for a four-game series before they hit the All-Star break.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Indians, head over to <a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/">Let's Go Tribe</a>. For more on the Angels, visit <a href="http://www.haloshaven.com/">Halos Haven</a>. And for more MLB news and analysis, be sure to check out <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-indians/2012/7/4/3137781/indians-vs-angels-game-3-recapDavid Cassilo2012-07-04T14:33:12-05:002012-07-04T14:33:12-05:00Travis Hafner Injury: Indians DH Activated, Will Play Against Angels
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<p>As many expected, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> activated designated hitter <span>Travis Hafner</span> on Wednesday afternoon. Pronk has been on the shelf since the end of May after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. <a href="http://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/220564166509993986" target="_blank">Jordan Bastian reports</a> that the corresponding move with Hafner's activation was putting <span>Shelley Duncan</span> on paternity leave, so the Indians will have another decision to make this week.</p>
<p>Manny Acta put Hafner right back in the heat of order, hitting cleanup as the DH. The complete Indians lineup for Game 3 of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>' series:</p>
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<p>Today's Tribe 9: Choo RF, Cabrera SS, Kipnis 2B, Hafner DH, Brantley CF, Kotchman 1B, Hannahan 3B, Damon LF, Marson C. SP: Lowe.</p>
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a data-datetime="2012-07-04T16:41:15+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/220557898416263168">July 4, 2012</a>
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<p><i>For more on the Indians, head over to <a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/">Let's Go Tribe</a>. For more on the Angels, visit <a href="http://www.haloshaven.com/">Halos Haven</a>. And for more MLB news and analysis, be sure to check out <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-indians/2012/7/4/3137516/travis-hafner-injury-indians-dh-activated-will-play-against-angelsBrendan Porath2012-07-03T22:37:10-05:002012-07-03T22:37:10-05:00Indians Vs. Angels: Cleveland Holds Off Los Angeles Through Delays For 9-5 Win
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> weathered a pair of rain delays before hanging on to earn a 9-5 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> to even the three-game series between the teams at Progressive Field.</p>
<p>The Indians jumped out to a 4-0 lead after four innings as left fielder <span>Shelley Duncan</span> accounted for two of those runs with a sacrifice fly in the second inning and a home run in fourth. Second baseman <span>Jason Kipnis</span> and third baseman <span>Jack Hannahan</span> added run-scoring hits of their own to help the Indians build an early lead and chase Los Angeles starter Danny Haren from the game in the fifth inning.</p>
<p>The Angels rallied to take the lead in the top of the fifth, taking advantage of a Cleveland error to extend the inning and take a 5-4 lead. With one out in the fifth, Hannahan made an errant throw to first allowing <span>John Hester</span> to beat the play at first and score a run. Center fielder <span>Mike Trout</span> came up next and knocked a three-run homer to tie the game, then first baseman <span>Albert Pujols</span> made the Indians pay for the extra out by adding a homer of his own.</p>
<p>Cleveland quickly answered the bell in the bottom of the fifth as <span>Shin-Soo Choo</span> doubled to start the inning and eventually scored on a double by DH <span>Jose Lopez</span>. The Indians score three runs to regain control of the game and then waited out the delays.</p>
<p>Rookie right-hander Zach McAllister gave up eight hits and three earned runs while striking out five batters in six innings of work on the mound to earn the win and move his record to 3-1.</p>
<p>The two teams will complete their series on Wednesday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. ET.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Indians, head over to <a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com">Let's Go Tribe</a>. For more on the Angels, visit <a href="http://www.haloshaven.com">Halos Haven</a>. And for more MLB news and analysis, be sure to check out <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/7/3/3136180/indians-vs-angels-cleveland-holds-off-los-angeles-through-delays-forTom Lewis2012-07-03T16:09:10-05:002012-07-03T16:09:10-05:00Indians Vs. Angels: Starting Lineups For Tuesday's Game
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<p>Held scoreless by Los Angeles ace <span>Jered Weaver</span> on Monday, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> will try to even their series with the surging <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> on Tuesday at Progressive Field.</p>
<p>Manager Manny Acta and the Indians will send 6-foot-6 <span>Zach McAllister</span> to the hill to face the Angels' <span>Dan Haren</span>, a right-hander once viewed as one of the game's premier pitching prospects. Haren's 2012 campaign has been wildly inconsistent, but he does own some very impressive numbers against Cleveland's most vital hitters over the course of his career.</p>
<p>Along with <span>Jason Kipnis</span>' 1-for-7 career mark against Haren, shortstop <span>Asdrubal Cabrera</span> is 2-for-20 from the plate versus the Angels' righty, while <span>Shin-Soo Choo</span> is a mere 2-for-11 and <span>Jose Lopez</span> is 5-for-27. Even the 25-year-old Michael Brantley is hitting just .214 (3-for-14) against Haren for his career, making it quite clear that the Indians will need to be especially careful from the plate in Tuesday's game.</p>
<p>Here are the starting lineups for game two:</p>
<p><b>Indians</b><br> 1. Shin-Soo Choo - RF<br> 2. Asdrubal Cabrera - SS<br> 3. Jason Kipnis - 2B<br> 4. Jose Lopez - DH<br> 5. <span>Michael Brantley</span> - CF<br> 6. <span>Carlos Santana</span> - C<br> 7. <span>Casey Kotchman</span> - 1B<br> 8. <span>Shelley Duncan</span> - LF<br> 9. <span>Jack Hannahan</span> - 3B<br> Zach McAllister - SP</p>
<p><b>Angels</b><br> 1. <span>Mike Trout</span> - CF<br> 2. <span>Torii Hunter</span> - RF<br> 3. <span>Albert Pujols</span> - 1B<br> 4. <span>Kendrys Morales</span> - DH<br> 5. <span>Mark Trumbo</span> - LF<br> 6. <span>Alberto Callaspo</span> - 3B<br> 7. <span>Howie Kendrick</span> - 2B<br> 8. <span>Erick Aybar</span> - SS<br> 9. <span>John Hester</span> - C<br> Dan Haren - SP</p>
<p><i>For more on the Indians, head over to <a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com">Let's Go Tribe</a>. For more on the Angels, visit <a href="http://www.haloshaven.com">Halos Haven</a>. And for more MLB news and analysis, be sure to check out <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/7/3/3135528/indians-vs-angels-starting-lineups-cleveland-los-angeles-series-lineup-orderDave Ryan2012-07-03T07:01:04-05:002012-07-03T07:01:04-05:00Indians Vs. Angels Preview: Cleveland Looks To Rebound Against Haren
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<p>The <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Indians</a> (40-39) hope that Tuesday's game at Progressive Field will be nothing like Monday night's.</p>
<p>On Monday in the first game of the series, Jared Weaver dominated the Tribe -- he gave up five hits in seven innings en route to a 3-0 win for the Los Angeles Angels (45-35). </p>
<p>Game 2 will see <span>Dan Haren</span> take the mound for the Angels. He already has a win in Cleveland this season. On April 28, he yielded one run and struck out seven in eight innings of a 2-1 victory. Haren has not been great lately, however. The right-hander has a 7.94 ERA in his last four starts, despite a 3-1 record. In his last start, he gave up six runs in six innings but was still credited with a win, as Los Angeles beat the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blue Jays</a> 9-7.</p>
<p>Zach McCallister will pitch for the Indians. His record is 2-1 and the team is 4-1 in his starts. Last Thursday, he gave up two runs in five innings in a 7-2 win in Baltimore.</p>
<p>The first pitch will be thrown at 7:05 p.m. ET. It can be seen on SportsTime Ohio.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cleveland Indians, head over to<a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/"> Let's Go Tribe</a>. More on the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> can be found over at <a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/">Halos Heaven</a> and more news and analysis on the world of baseball can be found at <a href="http://baseballnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/7/3/3134127/indians-angels-preview-cleveland-los-angeles-dan-haren-jared-weaverJames Herbert2012-07-02T20:45:58-05:002012-07-02T20:45:58-05:00Indians Vs. Angels Final Score: Tribe Shut Out In Game 1
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> didn't want to start off their series against the Los Angeles Angels like this. In Game 1 of their home series, the Tribe were shut out 3-0.</p>
<p>It was a pitching duel, with the Angels up 1-0 after six, 2-0 after seven and 3-0 after eight innings.</p>
<p>L.A. scored off an <span>Erick Aybar</span> sac fly, a Howard Kendrick solo shot and an <span>Alberto Callaspo</span> bases loaded walk. Starter Ubaldo Jiminez was pulled after that walk and reliever <span>Joe Smith</span> got the Indians out of the eighth inning.</p>
<p>Jiminez (7-7) gave up eight hits and three runs in seven and two-thirds innings, with four strikeouts.</p>
<p>Jared Weaver (9-1) earned the win, pitching seven scoreless innings and giving up just five hits. Waver is 5-0 with a 1.52 ERA at Progressive Field, <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/statuses/219969763462479872" target="_blank">via Jordan Bastian</a>.</p>
<p>Scott Downs didn't give up a hit in two innings, for his seventh save.</p>
<p>Game 2 is Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cleveland Indians, head over to<a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/"> Let's Go Tribe</a>. More on the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> can be found over at <a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/">Halos Heaven</a> and more news and analysis on the world of baseball can be found at <a href="http://baseballnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/7/2/3133859/indians-vs-angels-final-score-tribe-drops-game-1James Herbert2012-07-02T08:57:30-05:002012-07-02T08:57:30-05:00Indians Vs. Angels: Cleveland Starts Home Series Against Los Angeles
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<img alt="June 27, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (30) pitches against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lbwm5guBgbnzB-HdDP6y5kmfw30=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/7637200/20120627_jla_aw8_590.jpg" />
<figcaption>June 27, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (30) pitches against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Jered Weaver and the LA Angels will travel to Cleveland to face off with the hot Indians in a three game series starting on Monday.</p> <p>After a good finish against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Baltimore Orioles</a> in their four game series over the weekend, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> will be looking to try and get more good results above a top AL squad when they host the LA Angels starting on Monday.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, one of their toughest tasks will be Game 1 -- if the pitching match up is any indication. Last year's starter in the All-Star Game and possible 2012 starter <span>Jered Weaver</span> will take the mound for the Angels. Weaver has been dominant all season long with an 8-1 record and 2.31 ERA. He's also never lost a game at Progressive Field, with a 4-0 record in Cleveland all time.</p>
<p>He'll face <span>Ubaldo Jimenez</span> from the Indians, who is having a solid but nowhere near All-Star caliber season. He sits currently with a 7-6 record and 4.69 ERA. He'll need to curtail his walks in Monday's match up if he wants to keep up with Weaver -- the Angels starter has a 66 to 18 K/BB ratio while Jimenez has a far less impressive 65 to 53 clip.</p>
<p>The game will be at Progressive Field at 7:05 p.m. ET.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cleveland Indians, head over to<a href="http://www.letsgotribe.com"> Let's Go Tribe</a>. More on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> can be found over at <a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/">Halos Heaven</a> and more news and analysis on the world of baseball can be found at <a href="http://baseballnation.com">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-indians/2012/7/2/3131723/angels-vs-indians-preview-scheduleChris White