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Another outstanding start by Byrd goes to waste in 10-inning loss to Twins
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Monday, Apr 21, 2008
MINNEAPOLIS: If there were any doubts, the math makes it clear that the Indians aren't likely to win many three-game series if they can't score more than five runs.
In a painful real-world sample over the weekend, the Tribe scored 4, 0 and 1 run against the Minnesota Twins and lost two of three, including Sunday's irritating 2-1, 10-inning finale at the Metrodome.
You want pitching, come see these Indians. Paul Byrd held the Twins to one run and six hits in seven innings, before the bullpen finally succumbed. Even then, it's difficult to fault Masa Kobayashi (two-thirds scoreless) and Rafael Perez, who threw two innings but gave up the game winner on three consecutive singles after retiring the first two batters in the 10th.
No pitching staff can hold an opposing lineup forever. Even the Tribe might have scored another run had the game droned on long enough, say 18-20 innings. That's how impotent the club's attack has looked for most of the young season.
''Our pitching was outstanding today, but we have to figure this offense out,'' Indians manager Eric Wedge said. ''We've got better players. We've got better hitters. There are no excuses. The guys who are spinning their wheels have to figure out how to get going, and the people we count on most have to get out front and lead.''
That takes into account just about every position player on the roster, with apologies to Victor Martinez, who got two more hits Sunday to raise his average to .360. But even Martinez (7 RBI) has failed to drive in his usual number of
runners, maybe because his lodge brothers are not reaching base frequently enough.
''I wasn't particularly pleased with what I saw today,'' Wedge said. ''I don't think these guys were, either. We had too many quick at-bats, and we have to keep sticking our nose in there.''
For the series, the Tribe batted .202 overall and .200 with runners in scoring position. On Saturday, double plays were the dominant statistic, with the offense bouncing into four. On Sunday, the hitters showed a little versatility, grounding into only one double play but striking out eight times in seven innings against starter Scott Baker.
Baker has treated the Tribe rudely before. In a start last August, he worked eight shutout innings, allowing four hits, as the Twins eked out a 1-0 win over Fausto Carmona.
Casey Blake wasn't trying to make excuses when he recognized Baker as part of the problem.
''We didn't have particularly good at-bats today,'' he said. ''But sometimes you have to give the other guy credit. It's not like he's some little kid throwing underhand.''
There is no magic formula to ignite a team's offense. Sometimes nothing works and personnel changes must be made, but call-ups or trades usually don't happen for at least the first five weeks of the season.
''I don't think now is the time,'' Wedge said, echoing what General Manager Mark Shapiro said a few days ago.
Then what?
Wedge said he and hitting coach Derek Shelton have to keep getting together. ''We've had individual meetings and team meetings. Each individual has to dig deep and figure out how to get himself going.''
When a rare opportunity did present itself Sunday, something happened to ruin it.
With a runner on second and one out in the ninth, Ryan Garko lifted a shallow fly that looked as if it would fall for a hit in center. Instead, Carlos Gomez darted in and made a diving, sprawling catch to abort the rally.
One out later, with runners on first and second, Franklin Gutierrez delivered a wicked line drive that landed inches outside the left-field line for strike two.
''That's where we are right now,'' Wedge said. ''But we sure as hell can't start feeling sorry for ourselves.''
Gutierrez drove in his club's only run with a single in the second inning. After that, only four Tribe runners got as far as second base.
Perez was charged with the loss after yielding consecutive singles to Brendan Harris, Jason Kubel and Justin Morneau, who came into the 10th inning 0-for-7 for his career against the lefty.
Harris, who had three hits, homered with two outs in the third against Byrd, who retired 12 of the next 15 batters through the seventh inning.
Byrd was asked whether an extended slump combined with good pitching can undermine the attitude of a team.
''It's a little early for anything like that,'' he said. ''For every one you lose now, you have to win a couple in September, so you don't want to shrug anything off. But their team played great today.
''I think our hitting will get going. It's a matter of time. You don't want to press the panic button.''
The problem is finding any sort of button that works.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
MINNEAPOLIS: If there were any doubts, the math makes it clear that the Indians aren't likely to win many three-game series if they can't score more than five runs.
Get the full article here.
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