The 2011 Cleveland Indians continue to battle through injuries to stay a surprise contender for the AL Central Division Title. For the first time in four years the playoffs lay within reach for the current second place Tribe. Even during an overall frustrating two month period the Cleveland Indians give Clevelanders reasons to consider 2011 special.
Walk-Off Wonders
Cleveland Indians fans will forever remember 1995, a year where the Tribe stacked up an unprecedented 51 comeback victories. The 2011 Cleveland Indians display similarities to the heroic 1995 team, so far collecting 21 comeback victories with 57 games remaining. Over half these comebacks came in walk-off style, three in July. Thursday, July 7th the Cleveland Indians rallied back against the Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth inning to overcome a four run deficit. Designated hitter Travis Hafner capped off the rally with a walk-off grand slam. On Monday, July 25th rookie second-baseman Jason Kipnis notched his first Major League hit by driving in the game winning run with a single. First-baseman Matt Laporta decided to play hero Saturday, July 30th against the Kanas City Royals by hitting a three run walk-off homerun.
All-Star Adrenaline
What’s powering the Cleveland Indians to contention? Simply put All-Star adrenaline. For the first time since 2008 the Tribe sent more than one player to the All-Star Game. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and closer Chris Perez represented the Indians in Arizona at the star-studded event. Cabrera enjoying a career year at the plate and demonstrating wizardly work defensively started for the American League at shortstop. Chris Perez demonstrated how he accrued 21 saves by pitching a scoreless inning against the National League’s best.
Besides Asdrubal Cabrera and Chris Perez, Travis Hafner, several bullpen arms, and starters Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin perform in All-Star caliber fashion. Hafner, a key part to the Tribe’s success in 2005 and 2007, saw reduced production in previous years due to injury. However, the designated hitter now resembles his pre-injured self. Relievers Joe Smith and Vinnie Pestano deserve praise for their roles in the Tribe’s tremendous bullpen. Justin Masterson’s 8-7 record doesn’t provide justice for the starter’s 2011 campaign. For instance, in six July starts Masterson went 3-1 despite an impressive 1.63 ERA. Unbelievably Josh Tomlin, a former 19th round draft pick, leads Tribe starters in wins with 11. Tomlin lost only one game in July, a game he pitched well enough to win going eight innings and allowing two earned runs.
Trade Deadline Thrills
July marks Major League Baseball’s Non-Waiver Trade Deadline. For fans the past three years July meant watching Indians management sell off veterans for prospects. With a contending team, however, the 2011 Trade Deadline brought along a thrilling excitement. Cleveland Indians management used this year’s Trade Deadline to strengthen the team for a potential playoff run. The first move made, acquiring outfielder Kosuke Fukudome from the Chicago Cubs, served to strengthen a lacking Cleveland offense. Despite the three exhilarating walk-off victories runs seem hard to come by for the Tribe. In fact the Indians scored three runs or less 12 times throughout July. Fukudome batted .273 in Chicago with three homeruns and 13 RBIs. Upon the acquisition Fukudome’s .273 average gave him the fourth highest average on his new team. Manager Manny Acta announced plans to use Fukudome as the everyday right fielder until Shin-Soo Choo returns from his broken thumb injury. Choo, who continues to make rapid progress in his rehab routine, could possibly return to the Cleveland lineup by late August.
In a bigger move Cleveland added starter Ubaldo Jimenez to the organization, sending four prospects including the Tribe’s top two pitching prospects (Alex White and Drew Pomeranz) to the Colorado Rockies. Jimenez remains under contract for two plus years hence the heavy asking price. Jimenez’s appeal comes from a fantastic 2010 season where he went 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA. So far in 2011 Jimenez holds a 6-9 record and 4.46 ERA. The starter will likely take David Huff’s (1-1 with a 0.71 ERA in two starts) rotation spot.
The Jimenez deal overshadows another Tribe Trade Deadline move. The Cleveland Indians sent veteran infielder Orlando Cabrera to the San Francisco Giants for minor league outfielder Thomas Neil. Cabrera played second base for Cleveland, a position now manned by highly touted prospect Jason Kipnis. Orlando Cabrera departs from the Indians leaving a positive impression on the team’s manager. Acta told the press “He (Cabrera) had a lot to do with the success we had here in the first couple of months of the season. He really helped Asdrubal and helped a lot of the young kids.”
SOURCES
Cleveland Indians Official Website
Jacobs Field 10th Anniversary Box Set
