Events Calendar
Most Read Stories
Fourth of July Events; fireworks, neighborhood parades
Five years after attack, woman finds her way
Promises look promising for Browns
Ex-NFL quarterback McNair killed in Tennessee
DiLullo's closes doors after 63 years
Akron police arrest murder suspect within an hour
Portage man beaten at home, robbed of coins
Blogs:
Pets:
Summit teams up with Rescue Waggin' to save dogs
The Heldenfiles:
Songs for an American Day
Patrick McManamon:
Touching on the Browns, Cavs
Akron Zips:
Opponent outlook: Northern Illinois
Browns Bulletin:
Single-game ticket sales begin July 11
Tribe Matters:
Laffey making it tough on self
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth test showed marijuana
Kent State Sports:
Men's Basketball Scheduling update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Updated: Free Agency: Another Gone - Apparently
All Da King's Men:
The Obligatory Palin Post
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Wow….Sarah Palin Resigns Governorship
Akron Law Café:
Abraham Lincoln and the Fourth of July
Varsity Letters:
Highland senior receives honor
See Jane Style:
Picnic Wear
Car Chase:
Where do We Go from Here?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Happy 4th of July!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Linda asks-where is the Ohio Chautauqua?
Sound Check:
Rundgren fans rejoice!: Second night of AWATS at The Civic added
HRLite House:
Morscruethal Behaviors or Just Lip Service?
Akron Gamer:
Hot link: Best of Nintendo at E3
Sheldon Ocker
Sheldon Ocker's the Write Stuff
Laffey has setback in rehabilitation
For second consecutive appearance, pitcher pounded in minors
CLEVELAND: It was supposed to be Aaron Laffey's last stop on the road to recovery, an 80 to 90 pitch start at Columbus Friday night.
Francisco finds touch on offense for Tribe
Adjustments seem to be working as he hits homer, double, single
CLEVELAND: Just when Ben Francisco was beginning to slide off the Indians' radar screen, he has forced his attention on manager Eric Wedge and General Manager Mark Shapiro, shifting their gaze away from Matt LaPorta, who is laboring in Columbus.
Francisco finds touch on offense for Tribe
CLEVELAND: Just when Ben Francisco was beginning to slide off the Indians' radar screen, he has forced his attention on manager Eric Wedge and General Manager Mark Shapiro, shifting their gaze away from Matt LaPorta, who is laboring in Columbus.
Sheldon Ocker: Baseball managers purposely wear apathetic face
All you need is a tape recorder and a radio station. Baseball teams have access to both, so why wouldn't they allow the manager's question-and-answer period with the media to be broadcast on a postgame show?
Pitcher added to bullpen
Rays' Winston Abreu acquired for Meloan. Offense still in slump
The fourth new relief pitcher in less than two weeks is about to join the Indians' bullpen. The Tampa Bay Rays dealt 32-year-old right-hander Winston Abreu to the Tribe on Thursday in exchange for right-hander John Meloan and cash.
Indians notebook
Struggling Shoppach
to catch fewer games
CLEVELAND: Kelly Shoppach is ostensibly the Indians' backup catcher, but so far he has started behind the plate 41 times, compared to 39 times for regular catcher Victor Martinez, who also has played 37 games at first base.
Carmona nearing return to Tribe
Pitcher is progressing in attempt to rejoin big-league rotation
CLEVELAND: The last time Fausto Carmona was seen in Cleveland, he was dragging around a 2-6 record and 7.42 ERA.
Sowers falls prey to another 6th inning
Left-hander allows one run, six hits in first five innings
CLEVELAND: This has gone on too long for it to be an illusion. Again Wednesday night, Jeremy Sowers toyed with a team until the middle innings then imploded in a sea of hits and runs.
Lee gets rocked by Sox
CLEVELAND: How do the Indians hang onto any thread of hope, when the ace of their staff gets pummeled for seven runs in three innings?
Tribe forced to be versatile
CLEVELAND: It has become the norm for manager Eric Wedge to maneuver the Indians around the diamond as if they were interchangeable parts on an assembly line.
Laffey to make final rehab start
CLEVELAND: Aaron Laffey (right oblique strain) is scheduled to make what might be his last rehab start for Columbus, when the Clippers play at Toledo on Friday night. Laffey will be expected to pitch five to six innings and throw 80-95 pitches.
New Indians pitcher not a big hit
Perez's debut continues run of poor bullpen work
CLEVELAND: It didn't take long for Chris Perez to feel the karma. The Indians traded Mark DeRosa to the St. Louis Cardinals late Saturday night for Perez, who reported for duty Monday afternoon and displayed his arsenal — as in weaponry — of pitches Monday night.
New pitcher not a big hit
CLEVELAND: It didn't take long for Chris Perez to feel the karma. The Indians traded Mark DeRosa to the St. Louis Cardinals late Saturday night for Perez, who reported for duty Monday afternoon and displayed his arsenal — as in weaponry — of pitches Monday night.
New reliever has goal of closing
CLEVELAND: Chris Perez is only 23, but he's been there before. Where? In a bad bullpen. The Indians traded Mark DeRosa for Perez on Saturday night to help upgrade their relief corps, and Perez reported for work in Cleveland on Monday. To make room for him on the roster, Josh Barfield was optioned to Triple-A.
Indians Notebook: Laffey to get additional rehab start in Columbus
CLEVELAND: Aaron Laffey expressed a desire to return to the Indians immediately and end his stint on the disabled list after a rehab start in Akron on Sunday in which he gave up three runs, five hits and six walks in 31/3 innings.
Indians lose quietly under clear blue sky
CLEVELAND: If it was peace and quiet you were seeking on a warm and breezy afternoon, Progressive Field was the place to be Sunday.
Indians Notebook: DeRosa swap called an attempt to improve
CLEVELAND: Trading Mark DeRosa to St. Louis Saturday night is not comparable to trading CC Sabathia to Milwaukee last year.
Wedge tries to stabilize lineup
CLEVELAND: Mark DeRosa is gone, but manager Eric Wedge still has plenty of players to mix and match in the Indians' infield.
Indians notebook
Season of struggles
sends Jensen Lewis
down to Columbus
CLEVELAND: Maybe the question should not by why Jensen Lewis was demoted to clear a roster a spot for Jose Veras, but how he avoided being sent to the minors earlier.
Sheldon Ocker: Firing Wedge not answer
Getting rid of Indians manager wouldn't solve bullpen problem
Why do so many Indians fans and virtually everyone in Medialand with access to a computer or a microphone want to fire Eric Wedge?
Tribe deals DeRosa for reliever; lose to Reds
CLEVELAND: The symbolism was accidental. Nevertheless, at the 11th hour Saturday night, the Indians acquired a reliever as the clock reached a more significant 11th hour, in terms of the team's chances to salvage something from the season.
Another new pitcher, another Tribe loss
CLEVELAND: The 28,646 fans who gathered at Progressive Field Saturday night can brag to their grandchildren that they watched the 18th pitcher of 2009 try his hand at being an Indians reliever.
Sheldon Ocker's mailbag
OCKER: Firing Wedge is not the answer
Why do so many Indians fans and virtually everyone in Medialand with access to a computer or a microphone want to fire Eric Wedge?
Sowers gives relievers some relief
CLEVELAND: Indians manager Eric Wedge has done everything but beg his starting pitchers to go deep in games to avoid the painful process of choosing five or six relievers to limp through the final innings.
Shapiro addresses Wedge's status
CLEVELAND: The hot topic? How about the hot seat? That would be wherever Eric Wedge sits. The Indians' manager is under duress, thanks to his team's woeful record, and when General Manager Mark Shapiro showed up to talk to the media Friday, Wedge's job status was an obvious topic.
LaPorta gets a look, not permanent spot
CLEVELAND: There was criticism galore when Matt LaPorta was called up from Columbus to make his major-league debut and played in only about half the games before he was sent back to Triple-A.
Another walk-off loss for Tribe
PITTSBURGH: With the lack of run support Cliff Lee has received, maybe manager Eric Wedge should let him pick the lineup on the nights he starts.
Wedge addresses his job security
PITTSBURGH: At least Eric Wedge can laugh about it. Some people think that as manager of the Indians, Wedge has the job security of a swim instructor in the Sahara Desert. But only owner Larry Dolan and his son Paul, Tribe president, and General Manager Mark Shapiro know for sure.
Betancourt making progress
CLEVELAND: Rafael Betancourt (strained groin) threw his second bullpen session Thursday, delivering 35 pitches, using only fastballs and change-ups.
Everyone pitches in for Tribe loss
PITTSBURGH: The Indians don't always look like a last-place team. More often than not, one area of the team (read bullpen) undermines competent hitting, defense and starting pitching, though the rotation is prone to falling short of carrying its proper workload.
Tribe gets reliever from Yankees
PITTSBURGH: Whatever the Indians see in Jose Veras, it can't have anything to do with his performances against them this year as a Yankee.
Lewis wants back what he lost
PITTSBURGH: For a pitcher, it's all about hitting spots. Jensen Lewis might still be the Indians' setup man if he had displayed pinpoint command of the strike zone.
Six-game losing skid over, barely
Bullpen gives up 4 in ninth, holds on
PITTSBURGH: The Indians' 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday night at PNC Park might have been a little disconcerting to fans accustomed to watching the team's incessant losing.
Sipp back for third time with Tribe
PITTSBURGH: Round and round the roster moves go. Eventually, the merry-go-round dropped Tony Sipp off in Cleveland again.
Sizemore to ease back into lineup
Manager Eric Wedge indicated that he would use Grady Sizemore cautiously for at least a little while, now that the Indians' center fielder has been activated from the disabled list after missing more than three weeks with inflammation of the lining of his left elbow.
Tribe might finally get relief
Does practice make perfect? Is it possible that the Indians' bullpen has pitched so many innings in the month of June that the relief corps has corrected its problems?
Latest Indians loss another chapter in horror story
CHICAGO: This stuff only happens in Stephen King films and Edgar Allan Poe short stories. But this was real life.
Westbrook's return delayed
Jake Westbrook's seemingly minor setback probably will delay his return to the mound by at least a month. After being shut down following his last rehab start because of soreness in his surgically reconstructed right elbow, Westbrook was scheduled to throw a bullpen Wednesday, but that will not happen.
Tribe is just boring
CHICAGO: Twice last week, I heard media people describe the Indians as boring. My first reaction: ''So what?'' Losing teams don't generate many thrills, even if they have two or three star players who can create a rush of adrenalin among the fans.
Sheldon Ocker's the Write Stuff
Sheldon: Who would've predicted this? A few years ago, Fausto Carmona had a wicked sinker and was a legitimate Cy Young Award candidate. Now he was sent down. Maybe that's one reason I like baseball; it's very unpredictable.
Bullpen blows Lee's lead
CHICAGO: The question has become — with 93 games still to play — can the Indians win a game in which their bullpen participates?
Shoppach's strikeouts frustrating for Wedge
Low batting average, lower home-run output also troubling manager
Kelly Shoppach continues to strike out at the rate of once every 2.6 at-bats. To put it another way, if he played a full season of 550 at-bats, his strikeout total would be a monumental 212.
Tribe completes sweep of itself
CLEVELAND: The Indians have turned losing into an infuriating art form. A play that should be made but isn't; a usually reliable reliever who gets his lunch handed to him; another starter who doesn't have it in him to reach the late innings.
Hafner feeling 'pretty good'
CLEVELAND: Wednesday was another scheduled night off for Travis Hafner, whose return to the Indians' lineup, while sporadic, has been marked mostly by success.
Pavano's next start delayed
Carl Pavano's next start will be delayed a few days (until the Pittsburgh series June 23-25) because of soreness in his right shoulder.
Indians notebook: Wedge criticizes slumping Peralta
Jhonny Peralta remains mired in a slump (.143 the past 10 games) that has plagued him off and on most of the season. Manager Eric Wedge said it's time for Peralta to take charge of his own at-bats.
Tribe falls into Brewers' clutches
Indians fail in fundamentals, can't get timely hits against Milwaukee
CLEVELAND: Blame the relief pitching if you will. After all, it wasn't exactly lock down. But that was not the Indians' only problem tonight at Progressive Field.
Walks and strikeouts bother Wedge
Relievers shouldn't be repeating performance of struggling pitchers
CLEVELAND: Manager Eric Wedge doesn't mind identifying two aspects of the Indians' game that cause a spike in his blood pressure: walks and strikeouts.
Tribe bullpen collapses again
A dozen runs aren't enough to beat Milwaukee. Reliever Perez gives up grand slam on first pitch
CLEVELAND: The Indians haven't had a lot to worry about lately. And with good ol' reliable Carl Pavano on the mound, a re-invigorated bullpen anxiously waiting to finish the job and a recent spate of confidence-raising wins on their resume, what could go wrong?
Sizemore eager for return to lineup
MRI on elbow looks good but pain isn't totally gone
CLEVELAND: Grady Sizemore passed his test today, but he will not automatically be promoted to the next grade.
Indians notebook: Westbrook feeling elbow pain after Friday's start in Akron
After his last rehabilitation start at Akron on Friday, Jake Westbrook suffered pain in his reconstructed right elbow that will delay his next start.
Lee unfazed missing no-hit bid
Beating St. Louis was left-hander's primary goal. Mission accomplished
CLEVELAND: Oh well, maybe some other time. No-hitters are nice, but they also are rare, and Cliff Lee wasn't going to dwell on a missed opportunity to make baseball history.
Indians notebook: Wedge says 3rd base is Peralta's future
CLEVELAND: The injury to Asdrubal Cabrera has thrown up a temporary detour in the plan to turn Jhonny Peralta into a full-time third baseman.
Rookie Crowe has ups, downs
Learning process includes 21-game Columbus stint plus return to Cleveland
CLEVELAND: Trevor Crowe has yet to establish himself in the big leagues, but he knows the joys and disappointments inherent in the learning process.
Tribe beats Cardinals 3-0
CLEVELAND: Oh, well, maybe some other time. No-hitters are nice, but they also are rare, and Cliff Lee wasn't going to dwell on a missed opportunity to make baseball history.
Wedge says 3rd base is Peralta's future
CLEVELAND: The injury to Asdrubal Cabrera has thrown up a temporary detour in the plan to turn Jhonny Peralta into a full-time third baseman.
Pujols' two homers hurt Tribe
CLEVELAND: It wasn't difficult to sum up the reasons for the Indians' 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday at Progressive Field: too much Luis Pujols and not enough of anything else.
Carmona on program to get back in groove
CLEVELAND: Fausto Carmona has begun a program to restore his powers at the Arizona Rookie League in Goodyear, but there is no way to know how long it will take to transform him into the dominating starter he was two years ago.
Trading Martinez, Lee not logical
Almost before the Indians could lose enough games to officially qualify as a team in trouble, sportswriters in other cities and those who work for national dot coms began speculating that Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee were minutes away from being dumped on other clubs by General Manager Mark Shapiro.
Sheldon Ocker: The Write Stuff
Sheldon: I would like to see the Akron Aeros on TV a couple times a year. I think SportsTime Ohio could carry them on days the Indians are off.
Huff's pitches blow by Cardinals
CLEVELAND: It's not exactly a historic run of winning baseball, but the Indians have triumphed in five of their last seven games and six of their last nine after beating the Cardinals 7-3 Friday night at Progressive Field.
Tribe putting Carroll to good use
CLEVELAND: Jamey Carroll made his second start of the season as the Indians' leadoff batter Friday night, but it won't be his last.
Tribe's Reyes has surgery
CLEVELAND: Right-hander Anthony Reyes underwent surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and to transpose the ulnar nerve in his right arm Friday.
Indians pick 2nd KSU pitcher
Sabo drafted in 38th round. Firestone grad Kountis also selected
CLEVELAND: After making the Indians' 50th and final pick in the amateur draft, the 1,505th selection overall, scouting director Brad Grant took a break.
Indians fly to win
CLEVELAND: The Indians not only beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 in 10 innings Thursday night, they found an ally in the seagulls that have been invading Progressive Field daily.
Indians on pace to break record
CLEVELAND: Last season, the Indians set the American League record for being hit by pitches with 108, and they are on pace to break the mark with 42 in the first 61 games.
Tribe's draft picks share name
Kent State's Kyle Smith, Cal Poly's Kyle Smith impress Indians' scouts
CLEVELAND: After 30 rounds of the annual June draft, the Indians lead the majors in Kyle Smiths, with two. In the 14th round, the Tribe selected Kyle Smith, a shortstop from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, a 21-year-old who lives in Visalia, Calif.
Indians loss this bad needs team effort
CLEVELAND: An Indians fan might look at the bright (less dim?) side by rationalizing the Tribe's 9-0 loss to the Kansas City Royals this way.
Sizemore responding to treatment
CLEVELAND: A week and a half has gone by since Grady Sizemore was shut down with inflammation of the lining of his left elbow, and the pain he felt has subsided.
Grand slam by DeRosa powers Indians past Royals
None of four runs in sixth scores on a hit
CLEVELAND: A DeRosa by any other name usually does not spell S-L-A-M. But that was before Tuesday night at Progressive Field, when Mark DeRosa saved the game by hitting a grand slam in the seventh inning to snap a 4-4 tie and trigger the Indians' 8-4 win over the Kansas City Royals.
DeRosa's grand slam powers Indians past Royals
CLEVELAND: A DeRosa by any other name usually does not spell S-L-A-M. But that was before tonight at Progressive Field, when Mark DeRosa saved the game by hitting a grand slam in the seventh inning to snap a 4-4 tie and trigger the Indians' 8-4 win over the Kansas City Royals.
Tribe's Westbrook glad to be back in game
Pitcher likely to be activated from disabled list before end of the month
CLEVELAND: Nothing against suburban Phoenix, but Jake Westbrook is happy to be gone from Arizona and the Indians' extended spring training program.
Indians notebook: Recovered Smith back in bullpen
CLEVELAND: Joe Smith (right rotator cuff strain) was activated from the disabled list today and returned to the Indians' bullpen.
Indians notebook: Rest of June schedule works in Tribe's favor
Still banged up and with uncertainties dotting every area of the roster, the Indians are entering a stretch of games that probably will determine if they can stay in the American League Central Division race.
Indians run wild on former Tribe ace
White Sox's Bartolo Colon gives up homers to Gimenez, Valbuena, Martinez and Choo
CHICAGO: There was a time when the Indians expected to thrive, even dominate, during the Bartolo Colon era. But eras aren't always what they're cracked up to be. The Colon epoch never really materialized, and he was traded to Montreal in the middle of 2002 for a prospect package that included Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore and Brandon Phillips.
Indians run wild against former Tribe ace
CHICAGO: There was a time when the Indians expected to thrive, even dominate, during the Bartolo Colon era. But eras aren't always what they're cracked up to be. The Colon epoch never really materialized, and he was traded to Montreal in the middle of 2002 for a prospect package that included Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore and Brandon Phillips.
Indians Notebook: Even rain doesn't end ordeal
CHICAGO: The Indians' ordeal of playing 37 games in 38 days ended Sunday. Now, the Tribe has three off days over the next 15.
Tribe has a chance if it gets past June
Beacon Journal sports writer CHICAGO: For the rest of this month, the Indians' goal will be to hang on for dear life.
Tribe gives White Sox a boost
CHICAGO: The Chicago White Sox attack has been virtually nonexistent for much of the season. Heading into their game with the Indians on Saturday, they led baseball in firing blanks with nine shutouts and had scored one or two runs in 12 games. They also were lugging around a scoreless-inning streak of 23 until getting a little help.
Indians Notebook: Starters may return by July
CHICAGO: If the Indians can hang around the fringes of the Central Division race until the end of the month, disabled starters Jake Westbrook and Aaron Laffey probably will be ready to return to the rotation by July or a few days earlier.
Suite deals could be sweet
CHICAGO: For most of their 109-year existence in the American League, the Indians haven't been the object of much good fortune.
Sheldon Ocker's The Write Stuff
Sheldon: I have had it with baseball. The cheating thang is outta control. I was watching a Rays-Red Sox game and, of course, the announcers were bemoaning the Manny stuff. How horrible, etc. Then in the next breath, they were saying how cool it was that the Sox grounds crew had appeared to water down the base path around first to slow down Rays' base stealers.
Struggling Carmona assigned to Arizona
Pitcher to attempt return to form in rookie league
CHICAGO: Who among those associated with the Indians thought that Fausto Carmona would be spending at least part of June in Goodyear, Ariz.?
Hafner's homer lifts Tribe spirits
CHICAGO: It's easy to forget that Travis Hafner had four home runs before his sixth-inning drive cleared the right-field fence Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
One man's plan leaves a legacy of success
Developer learns to appreciate baseball as owner of Indians, does what’s best for Cleveland
CHICAGO: Richard E. Jacobs was one of the wealthiest men in Cleveland, but outside of his family, friends and business associates, most people in Northeast Ohio never heard his name until he decided to purchase the Indians for $40 million in 1986.
Carmona disappoints again
MINNEAPOLIS: Fausto Carmona's numbers would have to make a sharp move skyward to climb to ugly. And that was true before Thursday, when he was gone almost before you could say, ''Wasn't this guy supposed to be the future ace of the Indians' staff?''
First major-league hit a blast
MINNEAPOLIS: Chris Gimenez got his first major-league start and made the most of it, hitting a home run with nobody on in the seventh inning off Minnesota Twins starter Scott Baker, then adding a single in the ninth.
Sowers hopes to avoid another meltdown
MINNEAPOLIS: Jeremy Sowers has spanned the performance spectrum from top to bottom, and he's pitched only four times all season.
Tribe's Lee gets what he needs for win
MINNEAPOLIS: It shouldn't be a big deal when the 2008 American League Cy Young Award recipient wins a game. Unless it's Cliff Lee.
Cabrera out with shoulder sprain
MINNEAPOLIS: The Indians' body count continued to rise Wednesday with the news that Asdrubal Cabrera was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Carroll ready despite injured finger
MINNEAPOLIS: One look at Jamey Carroll's right middle finger, and you might wonder why he wasn't watching Wednesday night's game against the Minnesota Twins on television.
Twins' lefties get it right. Tribe falls 4-3
Minnesota's first three hitters in lineup batter Indians' rookie Huff
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.: After surviving the hazing administered by his teammates tonight, David Huff fought off the temptation to take the first flight back to Columbus and officially became an Indian.
Indians notebook: Wedge isn't giving up
Manager Eric Wedge seems far from ready to call it a season, despite the Indians' disappointing April and a flood of injuries in May that has eight players crowding the disabled list, including three starting pitchers.
Indians notebook: Hafner nearing return
Stint in Columbus expected to end Wednesday
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.: One day before the end of Travis Hafner's rehabilitation assignment at Columbus, Indians officials weren't certain what to expect from their designated hitter.
Tribe pitchers walk away with another loss
Sowers, Aquino and Vizcaino hand out 11 free passes to Yankees' batters. Four of them score
CLEVELAND: It's not a good idea to issue 11 walks in a game, particularly when eight come in just two innings.
Indians Notebook: Sizemore's elbow needs more rest, possibly surgery
CLEVELAND: Center fielder Grady Sizemore will be out of action at least two more weeks with inflammation of the lining of his left elbow joint.
Indians notebook: Pitching help may be on the horizon
Lewis, Laffey, Westbrook all are progressing with their rehabilitations, could be ready soon
CLEVELAND: Barring additional disabling injuries, by the end of June the Indians' rotation might include most of the players, and more, who started the season.
Tribe wins with late heroics
Peralta hits RBI single to break tie in ninth inning
CLEVELAND: Asdrubal Cabrera might have to check himself into Bunters Anonymous if he insists on making the sacrifice bunt an obsession.
Sizemore's elbow too sore to play
All-star outfielder placed on Indians' disabled list
CLEVELAND: What was an injury described as less than trivial a week ago put Grady Sizemore on the 15-day disabled list Sunday.
Cabrera's bunt paves way for 5-4 win over Yankees
CLEVELAND: Asdrubal Cabrera might have to check himself into Bunters Anonymous if he insists on making the sacrifice bunt an obsession.
Sizemore's elbow too sore to play
CLEVELAND: What was an injury described as less than trivial a week ago put Grady Sizemore on the 15-day disabled list today.
Indians Notebook: Betancourt probably going on disabled list
CLEVELAND: Rafael Betancourt is likely to expand the Indians' disabled list to eight players after suffering a strained groin on his third pitch of the game in the eighth inning.
Sheldon: Thank you for writi...
Sheldon: Thank you for writing a column about a subject that I've been spouting off about for years. I refer to the constant lineup tinkering of Indians manager Eric Wedge, whom I dubbed the mad scientist last year for his continual searching for various compounds, mixtures and equations.
Fourth inning bad news for Tribe
CLEVELAND: Whatever happened to Fausto Carmona? Two years ago, he was the ace of the staff in waiting after compiling a 19-8 record and 3.06 earned-run average, second best in the American League. He finished fourth in the Cy Young Award voting; no mountain was too high for him to scale.
Strikeouts making homers a necessity
CLEVELAND: Indians hitters don't appear to lose sleep when they strike out. Not just the players but manager Eric Wedge, although he has expressed unhappiness when his free-swinging batsmen go down on strikes with runners in scoring position.
Indians notebook
Perez rejoins Tribe
after three weeks
of work in Columbus
CLEVELAND: Rafael Perez rejoined the Indians Friday after spending three weeks in Columbus making corrections to his mechanics and regaining his confidence.
Yankees end Tribe's streak
CLEVELAND: The best thing about losing after four victories in a row? A team can start a new winning streak.
Tribe drops Dellucci
CLEVELAND: The timing of the move was something of a surprise, but it almost was inevitable that David Dellucci would not finish the season with the Indians.
Indians notebook
Jackson sent back
to Triple-A after start
CLEVELAND: Zach Jackson got one start Wednesday night and was sent back to Triple-A Columbus.
Martinez's hits key in recent wins
CLEVELAND: Victor Martinez has been in a slump since his batting average reached .400 on May 21. But despite hitting safely only three times in the intervening 26 at-bats, for a .115 average, it's frightening to think what the Indians would do without him.
Huff starts to show stuff
CLEVELAND:It was touch and go for a while. In David Huff's first two major-league starts, he gave up 13 runs in 62/3 innings. Manager Eric Wedge figured the Indians had enough problems without having to put up with the severe growing pains of a raw rookie, so he thought about it for a few days before giving Huff another start.
Tribe storms against Rays
CLEVELAND: Andy Sonnanstine knows how CC Sabathia feels. And it has nothing to do with winning a Cy Young Award or signing a $161 million contract.
Sizemore's sore elbow keeps him in DH role
CLEVELAND: Grady Sizemore was penciled in again as the Tribe's DH tonight, in deference to his sore left elbow. ''I'll stay out of center field for awhile and see what happens,'' Sizemore said.
Hafner's shoulder still sore in rehab, but expects to be back as DH soon
CLEVELAND: Once a chiropractor snapped his rib head into its original position, Travis Hafner's back quit hurting, and he was a happy Indians camper.
Indians' fate soaring with home-run binge
Four long clouts are key to latest win over Rays
CLEVELAND: Most of the Indians will deny the importance of the home run to the team's attack, but when the Tribe fails to send drives soaring over the fence, they have a difficult time scoring.
Sowers says he may think too much
Pitcher called up from Columbus takes advantage of opportunity as reliever
CLEVELAND: Like many of the Indians, either because of necessity or in the name of versatility, Jeremy Sowers is playing out of position.
Indians notebook: Crowe gets called up for ailing Sizemore
CLEVELAND: Because Grady Sizemore's left elbow still hasn't stopped hurting, the Indians optioned Matt LaPorta back to Triple-A Columbus and called up Trevor Crowe.
Indians notebook: No decision made yet on another Huff start
CLEVELAND: Manager Eric Wedge has not determined whether David Huff will get another start or be sent back to Columbus.
Indians injury reports remain disappointing
Anthony Reyes might need surgery. Laffey is out more than a month. Hafner is feeling back pain
CLEVELAND: The Indians' injury situation continues to deteriorate. It's a good bet that Anthony Reyes soon will undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season. Moreover, Travis Hafner suffered a presumably minor setback that will delay his return to the active roster.
Road ends with painful loss to Reds
CINCINNATI: The Indians did not have to limp home Sunday after a 4-6 trip to Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Cincinnati. Instead, they got to relax in the comfort of a large jet aircraft.
Indians search to bolster pitching staff
CINCINNATI: After a substandard performance by David Huff Saturday night, Indians manager Eric Wedge feels he has two openings in the rotation to fill.
DeRosa takes first base in stride
CINCINNATI: It's hard to get away with anything if you're part of a major-league clubhouse. In the seventh inning of the Indians' 7-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds Saturday night, Jonny Gomes slapped a spinning ground ball toward first that bounced off Mark DeRosa's shin for an error. Sunday morning, DeRosa found a hockey stick, goalie mask and pads in his locker.
Sheldon Ocker's The Write Stuff
Indians defy odds to win
CINCINNATI: Hits can be overrated. It's not that games aren't won with eight hits, but it usually takes more than that to score seven times. That's where the Indians beat the odds Saturday night, defeating the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 at Great American Ball Park.
Team makeover not the answer for Tribe
CINCINNATI: When teams fall into a pattern of persistent losing, the first instinct of the manager and general manager is to make changes.
Injuries hurt Tribe in loss
CINCINNATI: It's always something. Just when the Indians seem to be reining in a wild and woolly bullpen, the rotation breaks down. Not all of it, but Friday night at Great American Ball Park, Anthony Reyes couldn't find the plate and left after three innings because of inflammation in his right elbow.
Laffey learns about life as reliever
CINCINNATI: The job was new to Aaron Laffey, and he didn't know if the library had a volume that could help him become an effective relief pitcher.
Sizemore feels better, returns to center field
CINCINNATI: After spending three games as a designated hitter because of minor elbow soreness, Grady Sizemore was back in center field Friday night.
Indians notebook: Indians' re-evaluation began a long time ago
KANSAS CITY, MO.: According to conventional baseball wisdom, teams should begin evaluating their personnel 40 games into the season.
Tribe pounds Royals' bullpen
KANSAS CITY, MO.: The Indians should know something about taking advantage of relievers. It has been done to them in excess this year.
Indians notebook: Lengthy slump keeps puzzling Wedge
Indians' lengthy slump
keeps puzzling Wedge KANSAS CITY, MO.: Manager Eric Wedge has not been through a team slump such as the one the Indians are going through, one in which they have lost six games in the opponent's last at-bat.
Slumping Sizemore gets some relief
KANSAS CITY, MO.: Grady Sizemore isn't the designated-hitter type. Too restless, too hyperactive is Sizemore, who now is No. 2 in the Indians' batting order.
Kerry Wood shellacked in 6-5 loss
Tribe closer gives up four runs in ninth inning
KANSAS CITY, MO.: The one guy the Indians could count on in the bullpen is closer Kerry Wood. Then again, maybe not.
Betancourt determined to keep trying
Reliever has a rough game after a fine stretch, but says this year is an improvement over last
KANSAS CITY, MO.: Until last Friday, it appeared that Rafael Betancourt was back to being a late-inning reliever on whom the Indians could rely totally.
Indians notebook: Sizemore moves to second in order
KANSAS CITY, MO.: Regular leadoff hitter Grady Sizemore made his first appearance of the season at the No. 2 spot in the Indians' batting order tonight.
Indians notebook: Huff falters, but shows traces of skill
With lineup mistakes and a bench-clearing episode dominating the game Sunday, David Huff's major-league debut was practically forgotten.
Indians notebook: Lineup mistake means Rays' pitcher must bat
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Sunday's game was held up 13 minutes after the Indians' first at-bats, as the umpires tried to figure out how Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon had contaminated his lineup and what they should do about it.
Two more attempts to help bullpen
Huff and Aquino latest to join pitching corps. Sipp returns to minors
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: During the first 17 days of May, 11 pitchers have come and gone in an effort to restore order to the Indians' pitching staff.
Tribe's lousy playing against Tampa Bay also marked by confrontation on field
Tribe's lousy playing against Tampa Bay also marked by confrontation on field
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: The Indians have played badly enough without the umpires giving aid and comfort to their enemies.
INDIANS NOTEBOOK: Lineup mistake forces Rays' pitcher to bat
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Today's game was held up 13 minutes after the Indians' first at-bats, as the umpires tried to figure out how Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon had contaminated his lineup and what they should do about it.
No mistakes, pitchers to take blame for loss
Missed opportunities by Indians in close game add up to defeat
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Under the circumstances, there probably were individuals in the Indians' clubhouse who almost were relieved. That's almost.
Indians notebook: Reliever Kobayashi cut to make room for Huff
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Six million dollars walked out of the Indians' clubhouse for the last time after Saturday's 4-2 loss. The Tribe cut loose Masa Kobayashi to make room for starter David Huff, who will pitch today.
Sheldon Ocker's the Write Stuff
Sheldon: A colleague at work told me he was at Fenway Park during an Indians-Red Sox game in which Kenny Lofton stole second base while the pitcher argued with somebody, stole third on the very next pitch and a couple pitches later stole home.
Sheldon Ocker: Don't mess with Rondon
Starting pitcher deserves chance. Learn from Carmona's sad saga
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Don't do it!!! I seldom use even one exclamation point, but this is a three-alarm plea not to risk messing up Hector Rondon's career. He's too good a prospect. He's only 21. He has a live arm, and he's been learning how to use it properly as a starting pitcher. That's STARTING pitcher!!!
OCKER: Memo to Tribe deep thinkers: DON'T DO IT!!!
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Don't do it!!! I seldom use even one exclamation point, but this is a three-alarm plea not to risk messing up Hector Rondon's career. He's too good a prospect. He's only 21. He has a live arm, and he's been learning how to use it properly as a starting pitcher. That's STARTING pitcher!!!
Indians notebook
Football game loosens
clubhouse in Florida
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Before the Indians took batting practice Friday afternoon, a football game broke out at Tropicana Field.
Wedges moves Peralta to third base in effort to shore up the defense
Wedges moves Peralta to third base in effort to shore up the defense
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: For manager Eric Wedge, it comes down to this: ''It was just one game, but if he can do it once, he can do it twice.''
Tribe's big lead becomes hard loss
Rays' 9th-inning homer off new pitcher Vizcaino caps stunning comeback
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Pitchers are supposed to be more comfortable pitching with a lead. It lifts their confidence, lessens the pressure and keeps them loose and relatively worry free.
Indians add veteran reliever
Right-hander Luis Vizcaino, recently of Chicago Cubs, has undetermined role
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Luis Vizcaino spent a week in Cleveland, only to take a free ride on the Indians' charter flight back to his home in Tampa Wednesday night.
Rejuvenated Indians hitters score early, often
Avoiding earlier woes, Indians offense rallies to outscore Tampa Bay
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: A festival of offense is what it was. These are not last week's Indians. This was a club that could manufacture its own fireworks, without the aid of a match.
Indians add veteran reliever
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Luis Vizcaino spent a week in Cleveland, only to take a free ride on the Indians' charter flight back to his home in Tampa Wednesday night.
Indians notebook
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: With Jeremy Sowers having returned to Columbus, the Indians are looking for a starter to face Kent State product Andy Sonnanstine on Sunday.
Lee regains sterling form
CLEVELAND: That's right. Cliff Lee, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, has won two games already.
Indians notebook: Garko gets one past Buehrle
CLEVELAND: There is only a hint of smile on the face of Ryan Garko when it is suggested that he owns Mark Buehrle.
Hafner ready for rehabilitation
CLEVELAND: Travis Hafner will test his right shoulder on a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Columbus starting Friday.
Thome's homers hinder Tribe
CLEVELAND: When the Triple-A starter takes the place of the big-league starter, who has been hastily reassigned to the troubled bullpen, and the Triple-A starter falters, what is the next move?
Indians notebook: Shapiro seems OK with Wedge's work
CLEVELAND: General Manager Mark Shapiro was informed that on Monday manager Eric Wedge had taken ''total responsibility'' for the Indians' losing record.
Indians report: Shapiro thinks Tribe can turn season around
Aeros pitcher Rondon could be one solution to bullpen problems
CLEVELAND: It's one thing if the Indians are a fundamentally sound team going through an extended slump. It's quite another if there are large cracks in the foundation that can't be repaired without major reconstruction.
Wedge feels responsible for loss
Manager admits it's hard to stay upbeat, believes better play 'has to start now, tonight'
CLEVELAND: Once the subject of a manager's job security is broached publicly, the story tends to take on a life of its own.
Indians notebook: Recuperating Westbrook throws simulated game
CLEVELAND: Jake Westbrook (Tommy John elbow surgery) threw a simulated game for the first time today, delivering 20 pitches with no ill effects.
Tribe strikes out in series
Poor play continues with hitting slump; Reyes gives up all runs
CLEVELAND: The Indians' hitting slump continued unabated, but Saturday night's postgame team meeting paid immediate dividends.
DeRosa says he feels pressure at the plate
CLEVELAND: You can tell that Mark DeRosa is new to the Indians. The Tribe third baseman didn't see much of the darker side of baseball in his years with the Braves and Cubs.
Indians Notebook: Players say Wedge not to blame
CLEVELAND: Two players were asked whether manager Eric Wedge would end up getting fired because of the sins of his players.
Tribe strikes out for series
CLEVELAND: The Indians' hitting slump continued unabated, but Saturday night's postgame team meeting paid immediate dividends.
Indians notebook
Record no indication
of how Lee is pitching
CLEVELAND: Cliff Lee has one more loss than he had in all of 2008, but that doesn't mean he's not doing his job.
Sheldon Ocker's the Write Stuff
Sheldon: I don't live in Akron anymore, having moved to Pittsburgh over 12 years ago to pastor a church. Each day I take the time to read my hometown paper, thankful that it is available via the Internet.
Lack of consistency leads to Tribe's fall
Inadequate pitching, flawed hitting to blame in Cleveland's defeat
CLEVELAND: It is long past the time for anyone to be surprised when the Indians lose. They have courted defeat just about every way possible, though if one were to characterize their primary flaw, an inept bullpen is far and away the chief cause. But at times, inadequate starting pitching, flawed hitting and porous defense have gotten in the way of winning.
OCKER: Lessons from a predecessor might help Indians bullpen
CLEVELAND: General Manager Mark Shapiro intends to begin an intensive examination of the Indians' bullpen, from how pitchers are chosen to the way they are developed to the flavor of the toothpaste they carry on the road (he did say everything) and whether it differs from the stuff they use at home.
Indians notebook
Hafner takes swings;
rehab assignment
next for Tribe DH
CLEVELAND: Travis Hafner's sore shoulder feels well enough for him to take batting practice, which he did indoors Friday, since the Indians did not take their regular pregame practice.
Tigers rob Sizemore, Indians
CLEVELAND: Cliff Lee is on a roll. The 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner has compiled a 1.74 ERA in his past four starts.
Peralta might get more rest
CLEVELAND: Jhonny Peralta watched Friday night's game from the bench, and he might do the same tonight.
Indians notebook: Hafner takes some swings
CLEVELAND: Travis Hafner's sore shoulder feels well enough for him to take batting practice, which he did indoors Friday, since the Indians did not take their regular pregame practice.
Laffey fits well as reliever
BOSTON: One reason Aaron Laffey was picked to pitch in the bullpen is that he doesn't need much time to warm up.
Choo fills in at cleanup spot
BOSTON: In Travis Hafner's absence, the Indians do not have a prototypical power hitter to fill the cleanup spot.
