The Last Game: Disappointment with a Silver Lining

Sep 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher T.J. House (58) throws during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Tribe Rookies Put On a Show vs. Rays

Yesterday, the Cleveland Indians’ rookie squad did what the 2013 A lineup couldn’t do:  Score off of Alex Cobb.  In fact, they scored several times.  Cobb was charged with ten hits and four earned runs on the night.  The Indians added three more runs after he left for a final score of 7-2.  Rookie TJ House needed only 49 pitches to get through five innings, allowing just one run on a solo homer to Sean Rodriguez.  He was pulled in order to give C.C. Lee, Kyle Crockett and Zach McAllister a chance to pitch.  Although the end of the game left a bitter taste in the mouths of an Indians team that was hoping to reach the playoffs for the second straight year, the youth movement leaves room for optimism headed into 2015.

The Positives

Zach Walters smacked another home run and also collected a double in his best game as a member of the Cleveland Indians.  Jose Ramirez collected three hits.  David Murphy homered, and Carlos Santana drove in a pair of runs.  Tyler Holt had a pair of hits, including a really nice hustle-double.  Lonnie Chisenhall had two hits as well.  Crockett and McAllister combined for three scoreless frames.

The Negatives

C.C. Lee continues to struggle.  There was a point during the season where it seemed like he had figured it out, but his numbers in September have been pretty bad (9.00 ERA and a .433 OBP against).  Jesus Aguilar went hitless again and keeps proving that he can’t handle major-league pitching.

Check It Out
-Zach Walters’ homer was his 7th as an Indian and 10th on the year.
-Walters will end the year with a .261 isolated power mark, good for sixth place among players with at least 50 at-bats.
-David Murphy’s homer was his first in over a month.