This Week in Indians Baseball: Week 12

NEWS:

• The Indians optioned Jeanmar Gomez to Triple-A Columbus before opening up the series with the Yankees.
• To take Gomez’ spot on the roster, the Indians recalled Scott Barnes to alleviate the strain on the bullpen for a few days.
• Carlos Santana was removed from the game in the ninth inning on Wednesday with tightness in his back. Anny Acta indicated that it is likely not a DL situation. Santana was out of the lineup for the fourth straight day on Sunday.
• Travis Hafner, who is recovering from a right knee injury, started a Minor League rehab stint on Wednesday. It is possible that he will be activated on Monday when the Tribe returns home.
• Lonnie Chisenhall landed on the disabled list after being hit by a pitch during the fifth inning of Friday night’s loss to the Orioles. The pitch fractured Chisenhall’s arm, requiring surgery.
• Zach McAllister claimed Gomez’ spot in the rotation. McAllister earned a win on Thursday after going 5.2 innings and allowing two runs on seven hits.
• Jason Donald was recalled from Triple-A to take Lonnie Chisenhall’s spot on the roster.
• Chris Perez and Asdrubal Cabrera were both selected to the All-Star game. It will be the second year in a row for both players to make an appearance in the Midsummer Classic.

WAHOO’S ON FIRST HIGHLIGHTS:

• Merritt previewed the series with the New York Yankees
• Lewie interviewed Ricky Keeler of Yanks Go Yard about the New York Yankees
• Geordy attempted to make sense of the Beau Mills trade
• Lewie explained how the Kevin Youkilis trade to the White Sox affects the Indians
• Lewie looked at who is to blame for Tuesday night missed call
• Steve compared the keystone combination of Jason Kipnis and Asdrubal Cabrera to other current keystone combos and those of the last 33 years for the Tribe
• Lewie tried to understand why people like Jose Lopez so much
• Merritt previewed the series with the Baltimore Orioles
• Lewie interviewed Stacey Long of Camden Chat about the Orioles
• In this week’s Wroundtable, we discussed who the Indians should trade if they are buyers at the deadline

WEEKLY TRIVIA:

• Since May 1, the Indians’ pitching staff has the worst ERA in the American League at 4.83.
• Josh Tomlin has not allowed a stolen base since 2010.
• The Indians’ nineteen hits on Saturday were a season high.
• Saturday was just the second time in 60 years that an Indians player (Jose Lopez) got five hits while two of his teammates (Lou Marson and Shin-Soo Choo) got at least four hits apiece.
• Shelley Duncan had three extra base hits on Sunday, with a home run and two doubles. He is the only Indians player to have three extra base hits in one game this season.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“I go to away games or in Cleveland and there will be people down the sidelines screaming for me to sing Adele.”-Jason Kipnis said during a visit to the MLB Fan Cave in New York

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Shin-Soo Choo

In a week when the Indians had some struggles at the plate, Shin-Soo Choo was a force to be reckoned with. Choo had two home runs, 6 RBI and five walks. He had one of his best days at the plate of the season on Saturday, going 4-for-5 with a walk, home run and 3 RBI.