Indians Return Favor to Twins

A day after getting shut down by the Twins 10-1, the Indians showed up at Progressive Field ready to hit the ball…and pitch a little too. With the revamping of the pitching staff, no job is safe. Aaron Laffey may have at least given himself some job security, though.

Laffey (5-3) pitched eight strong innings, struck out five batters, and walked only one, all while giving up a single, unearned, run. Laffey has been inconsistent to say the least this year, but with all of the recent trades, seeing someone step up is a definite positive. This is a starting rotation that lacks a true ace.

After the game, Laffey stated, “I was bearing down to get through eight. I went out and attacked. I didn’t take anything for granted.”

Laffey was provided an early lead with a two-run second, thanks to a Trevor Crowe RBI single to left and an Asdrubal Cabrera sac-fly to left. In the fourth, the Indians added two more. This time, it was Trevor Crowe scoring on a Grady Sizemore single. Sizemore later scored on Shin-Soo Choo’s single into center. The Indians lit up the scoreboard for four more runs in the 6th inning, due in part to a trio of doubles by Sizemore, Cabrera, and Choo.

The eight runs…or even just the first two, were more than enough for Laffey, who was on target all game. Laffey gave way to Jess Todd, who made his Indians debut in the 9th by tossing a scoreless inning, giving up only one hit.

“That’s baseball for you,” manager Eric Wedge stated in response to the Indians 8-1 win after the 10-1 loss to the Twins. “Laffey did a great job, we got some big 2-out hits and it was a different game.”

A different game? Maybe this is a slogan in the making for next season?