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Wedge says there's 100 games left, offense starting to take different direction
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Saturday, Jun 07, 2008
DETROIT: The Indians haven't won a series since mid-May against the Oakland A's, and Friday night they began a weekend series against the Detroit Tigers six games under .500 and 61/2 games out of first place.
So is it time for the Tribe to cash in its chips, throw in the towel, call it a lost cause and plan for next year? Not a chance, manager Eric Wedge said.
He detects a change of direction, at least as far as the offense is concerned. And he is not basing it on the fact the team scored 39 runs in four games under bizarre conditions in Texas.
''I think we were starting to take better swings in [the previous series] in Kansas City,'' Wedge said Friday. ''There's no reason why we shouldn't keep it going, although not to the extent it was in Texas.''
Wedge pointed out that there are 100 games still to play, and that lots of things can happen. There also is the obvious fact that no team is running away with the American League Central Division race.
What has changed to enliven the offense? Designated hitter Travis Hafner is on the disabled list with a shoulder ailment, and catcher Victor Martinez periodically must sit for a game because of a strained hamstring. Yet, there is no question the attack has improved.
''I felt like we were much more relaxed in Texas, and guys are starting to have more fun,'' Wedge said. ''Just because we didn't get off to the start we wanted, there's a lot of baseball left.''
Why would Tribe batsmen suddenly relax after being embroiled in a season-long slump?
''We've been working in that direction,'' Wedge said. ''You can't be out there feeling like everything has to be on today. You just can't play that way.''
Some players can take on the role of class clown or otherwise become masters of keeping the clubhouse loose. Those kinds of players are not apparent in the Indians' locker room.
''Paul Byrd is good,'' Wedge said. ''He always gives you something. From a leadership standpoint, there's Grady [Sizemore], Victor plus Casey [Blake] and David [Dellucci] to some extent. I love that Grady has been more vocal lately. That's only going to help us, and it will help him, too.''
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
DETROIT: The Indians haven't won a series since mid-May against the Oakland A's, and Friday night they began a weekend series against the Detroit Tigers six games under .500 and 61/2 games out of first place.
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