Wakeup Wahoo: J-Rod Emerges

Cliff Lee is so in the zone, even he knows it and he isn't afraid to admit it.

"If you score 10 runs on the day I pitch," Lee said, "I should be able to give the team a chance to win." (Indians.com)

He's only the fifth pitcher in the history of baseball to start a season with a 18-2 record. He's already focused on number 19.

"I'm focused on my next start," he said. "It's against Detroit [next Tuesday]. That's where my focus is." (ESPN.com)

One of Eric Wedge's favorite words is Mulligan.

"Last year was a mulligan for Cliff," said Wedge. "He never put it together. Physically, fundamentally and mentally, he's been consistent with those domains. He recognizes what teams are trying to do and makes the proper adjustments." (Plain Dealer)

I don't know why.

Meanwhile the guy that supported him for most of the day was Grady Sizemore.

"I felt great and saw the ball well," said Sizemore, who had a home run, triple and two singles in five at bats. "Each day is a grind and some times things don't go your way. When you struggle, you just keep at it." (Plain Dealer)

How quickly does Grady bust out of a slump and he does it with a bang. His RBI production seems to come in bunches, which is fine because he still gets on base at a consistent clip, which is why he is so valuable at the lead-off spot.

You think his dad being in the stands had anything to do with it?

Grady Sizemore Jr. was in Cleveland for this homestand and his son gave him a nice little performance to cap it off.

"I don't think it's been bothering him because he takes things in stride," said his dad, who was visiting from Tempe, Ariz. "I told him he was trying to pull everything they threw. Last week they threw one down the middle and he jumped on it and grounded out to second. He was rushing it and shifting his weight. He just has to relax, stay back and go the other way. When he gets one inside, he can turn on it."(Plain Dealer)

Thanks for the advice Dad. He is a baseball Dad and tries to give Grady as much as advice as possible, but he also understands the coaches are there as well.

Royals outfielder Mitch Maier was placed on the DL after suffering the facial fractures on the bunt attempt the other day. Zach Jackson called him to apologize.

Oh boy...

Jensen Lewis might have a nickname.

I'm not sure it makes much sense.. But, it's coming from the Italian, so what do you expect?

"Save some ink for J-Rod!" Dellucci yelled across the clubhouse. (Indians.com)

Oh Dear Lord, J-Rod?

This is the type of stuff I've actually been waiting to hear about Dellucci, who is calling him J-Rod, a work off "K-Rod" of course, to keep Lewis sharp.

"This game's amazing in that it has a way of humbling you," Dellucci said. "This is the Major Leagues. People have scouting reports on you, and it catches up with you pretty quick. That's a fact of life." (Indians.com)

It's about time David.

It's about time for someone else aswell. Andy Marte really needs to get it going. He doesn't have much time left.

I think Marte is confirming everyone's beliefs on him.. I thought he had more in him and I'm not ready to wave the white flag, but it looks as if his best chance to earn a spot on this team is gone.

"I've been swinging at a lot of bad pitches," Marte said. "When I get deep in the count, that's when I'm doing good. When I'm in trouble is when I'm swinging at a lot of first pitches and balls." (Indians.com)

Look he'll probaby either be traded away in the off-season or just kept around for Spring Training, given a chance to win a roster spot outright, nothing handed to him.. If he doesn't impress he'll be out the door much like Brandon Phillips was right before the season started.

As noted earlier, Victor Martinez did well last night with Buffalo, playing the entire game behind the plate. Josh Barfield got four at-bats as the DH, going 1-4. The 9 innings is a good sign, the next test would probably to play back to back games, which I guess he will do after a day off today. Travis Hafner will DH tonight for the third time.