Might as well start with Carmona though and yesterday's game that finished off a sweep, something the Tigers really needed for their lead.
Carmona was good until the seventh inning. He gave up the Granderson home run to lead off the freakin' game and then proceeded to do this lock-down business. He walked five, not good, and gave up four hits, and up until the seven, none of that matter because he pretty much shut Detroit down.
He got one out in the seventh, put a few runners on and then Clete Thomas hit the big triple that scored them both. Tony Sipp did a good job coming in and getting out of it with no further damage, an otherwise great start by Carmona was downgraded to a decent one after that seventh inning.
There was some damn fight in the Indians though. That Ni guy came in for the rookie Perry after he gave up the one run to Asdrubal. Choo puts together a fantastic at-bat and just drives one to deep right center and gets two runs in to tie the game.
Unfortunately, Rafael Perez showed bad Raffy in the 10th inning and it was all over.
Let's talk about Michael Brantley though, who was downright awesome in this series. His debut on Tuesday was a 2-4 day with a run scored. He got a hit in each game, walked in yesterday's game and stole his first base. But it was quite obvious this kid has speed and he uses it as a dangerous weapon.
It doesn't matter how you get on, just that you get on.
I'm a fan already.
There's already talk now though that Brantley is going to take over the leadoff spot when the Indians shutdown Grady Sizemore here in a little bit (because let's be honest, after yesterday and that weak ass throw, Grady being out there is just useless).
Eric Wedge even said there is a chance of this.. Oh man..
I don't know but I like the guy so far. I was a fan of the acquisition because we simple don't have a player like this. Everyone loved Kenny Lofton and he was such a dynamic player to have. Brantley has speed, he knows he has to use it, he has no problem using it and to go along with that, he's got a fantastic eye. I was impressed how that plate discipline and vision we heard so much about translated to the majors as well as it has this early.
Either way... This guy may have a shot to be on the team next year right out of the gate after all. We're going to be in store for an interesting offseason with all these decisions that still need made.
Will Eric Wedge be in that process? Who knows, he certainly doesn't, but he hopes to have an idea by the end of the season.
"I hope to have some resolution before the season is over ... hopefully," said Wedge. "If I was told today that I was going to be back, if I was told today that I wouldn't be back, I wouldn't do anything differently the rest of the way. That's not who I am.
"I want to put us in the best position to be the best team we can be next year regardless of whether I'm here or not."
Wedge went on to say he has thick skin. Bruce Drennan especially yesterday wondered if the continued play of Grady Sizemore was Wedge's doing in an effort to keep his job by winning as many games possible.
Truthfully, I don't believe Eric Wedge has as much say in whether Sizemore gets shut down or not. He has a say on the day-to-day playing of Sizemore, but if he's there, why would he not play him? The trainers and medical staff and Shapiro have to step in and say hey, that's it, let's go, we're done here with you Grady.. Time to get better.
Anyway, it was understood that Paul Dolan would have an answer about Wedge not too far into the offseason. Will they decide before the end of the season? No they won't, I don't believe so. They said they'd give him the entire year, and they will if they were to decide about next year before this year is over, but the Indians won't make a choice before the year is over, that's now they do it.
At least Wedge knows the heat is on and this to me gives me a little more confidence that there is a serious thought to remove Wedge. I was starting to think people were forgetting.
Original Story:
Add Comment