Just In From the Desert

Matty Slam (aka Matt LaPorta) cleared the bases with a pinch-hit dinger in a walk-riddled 7 run 7th.  It was a sloppy game all around that the Rangers eventually won 11-9 on a walk-off dong from Chris Davis.

Josh Tomlin got stretched out a bit today, throwing 3 innnings.  Despite allowing 4 hits and his 1st run of the young spring, Tomlin (1.80 ERA) continued to throw strikes (29 of 39 pitches) and I'll cut him some slack given that he had to face Ian Kinsler (.566, 3 HR, 6 RBI), Mike Napoli (.500, HR, 3 RBI) & Davis (.455, HR, 5 RBI).

I'll grant the same reprieve to Mitch Talbot (2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 HR) since he too was consistently in the zone (33 pitches, 26 strikes) in his first outing.

Travis Buck continued his hot hitting while getting the start in center.  Buck singled home the Tribe's first run and lowered his average to .545.

I remain anti-"Jason Donald starting at 3B".  Even though he singled in the 2nd and is hitting .375, his bases-loaded double play ball in the 6th effectively killed any chance at a big inning.  The twin killing did result in the Tribe's 2nd run, but that was all that they got.  Even if he does have the reflexes to play the hot corner (& I'm still not convinced), he simply has too little pop in his bat to man a run producing position.

Pitchers for 03.04: Fausto Carmona (starter), Nick Hagadone, Frank Herrmann, Doug Mathis, Chris Perez, Zach Putnam and Alex White.  The game will supposedly be streamed live at Indians.com.

I am not assuming that Jordan Bastian's only responsibility is the Indians blog, but he's now missed 2 days in a row.  It is now 11p Cleveland time and I am not waiting any longer the "Major League Bastion."  Disgusting.  Is it possible that I am disseminating more relevant information from my den?  Maybe the Tribe should hire someone with a bit more passion for the job.  Or change the name of his blog to reflect his "Bush League" commitment.