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With most of his players slumping this season, manager is asking them to bunt more frequently
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, May 01, 2008
CLEVELAND: When Franklin Gutierrez laid down a sacrifice bunt with runners on first and second in the second inning last Saturday, the extent of the Indians' slump became clear.
The batting skid was beginning to affect the way manager Eric Wedge runs a game. Bunting in the second inning isn't the way Wedge prefers to conduct a rally, but it was time to force the issue and hope his troops could eke out a run or two against the New York Yankees.
As it happened, the Tribe scored three times that inning in typical slump-ridden fashion. The rally included an infield single, a bloop hit, two walks and a sacrifice fly.
Wedge has done more bunting, started more runners and tried more hit-and-run plays the past couple of weeks. Sometimes it has worked, sometimes not. Usually, even playing small ball requires players to produce a hit or two.
''You're seeing me do a lot more of that out of necessity,'' Wedge said Wednesday. ''We've done things early in a game that we normally wouldn't do.''
Trying to manufacture runs can benefit teams in, at least, two ways: They might score and being asked to execute specific maneuvers sometimes can stun players out of their lethargy.
''A lot of times, when you ask somebody to do something situationally, he becomes a better hitter for it,'' Wedge said.
Last year, virtually the same group of Tribe players totaled 32 sacrifice bunts, which tied for 10th in the American League. Going into the game Wednesday night against the Seattle Mariners, the Tribe was tied for first with the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays with 10 sac bunts.
Wedge must play the hand he's dealt, of course. It's his job to be supportive of his players and give them every opportunity to succeed.
''You have to trust your people, the players first and foremost,'' he said. ''You have to trust your coaches, and your players have to trust your coaches.''
That said, he expects General Manager Mark Shapiro to address the issue if changes are necessary.
''I know we're not going to have the same 25 players all season, for whatever reason,'' Wedge said.
Westbrook on track
Starter Jake Westbrook (strained left intercostal) isn't expected to return to the rotation for 21/2 more weeks, but he soon will begin his throwing program.
''Jake is feeling better, and he's getting close to playing catch,'' Wedge said.
Closer Joe Borowski is continuing his throwing program, and Wedge announced with certainty, ''when Joe comes back, he will be our closer. In the meantime, I hope Rafael [Betancourt] has plenty of closing opportunities.''
They're excused
Now that Wedge has been forced by a balky offense to do more sacrifice bunting, is there anyone in the lineup whom he wouldn't ask to bunt, aside from Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez?
''I've always had a hard time bunting with Grady [Sizemore],'' Wedge said. ''Especially because he hits that hole [between first and second]. It's the same with David Dellucci.''
Sizemore, however, occasionally bunts for a hit on his own.
Fans have spoken
According to an online vote of fans evaluating their home ballparks, Progressive Field was selected No. 1 in the big leagues.
SI.com conducted the vote that rated ballparks in 10 categories, such as food, promotional giveaways, ticket value and hospitality. Nearly 15 percent of voters were season ticket holders and more than half said they attend at least five games a season.
After Progressive Field in the rankings were Miller Park in Milwaukee, PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Comerica Park in Detroit, Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Safeco Field in Seattle, Coors Field in Denver, U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Angel Stadium in Anaheim and Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Farm facts
Wyatt Toregas doubled, singled and drove in two runs in Buffalo's 10-6 loss to Scranton-Wilkes Barre in Class AAA. . . . Jared Goedert lifted his average to .306 with two singles and drove in a run as Kinston defeated Salem 6-5 in 12 innings in Class A. . . . Roman Pena had three hits, including a home run, and contributed three RBI, as Lake County beat Greensboro 7-4 in Class A.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
CLEVELAND: When Franklin Gutierrez laid down a sacrifice bunt with runners on first and second in the second inning last Saturday, the extent of the Indians' slump became clear.
Get the full article here.
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