The 2011 Cleveland Indians, as August comes to a close, remain in contention for the AL Central Divisional Title. Throughout August Tribe fans endured an emotional roller-coaster featuring late inning heroics, heartbreaking losses, a special homecoming, and seemingly insurmountable injuries. Perhaps the biggest down on the metaphorical roller-coaster occurred Friday, August 19th through Wednesday, August 24th. During this time the Cleveland Indians went from trailing the first place Detroit Tigers by 1.5 games to 6.5 games. However, to end the month the Tribe won five out of their last six games, shortening Detroit’s lead by a game.
Wounded Wahoos
Injuries served as a big reason for the skid the Cleveland Indians suffered from Friday, August 19th through Wednesday, August 24th. The Indians currently play without starting second-baseman Jason Kipnis, centerfielder Grady Sizemore, leftfielder Michael Brantley, designated hitter Travis Hafner, starter Carlos Carrasco and starter Josh Tomlin. Additionally, rightfielder Shin-Soo Choo remains out day-to-day with a strained left oblique.
With so many injuries a team can’t help but feel the ill effects. Heck, the injuries shelved the Cleveland Indians’ entire starting outfield. Other vital losses include Jason Kipnis, Josh Tomlin, and Travis Hafner. In 18 games Kipnis, a rookie second-baseman, hit .279 with four doubles, six homeruns, and 11 RBIs. Tomlin leads the Cleveland Indians in victories with 12. Without Hafner the Indians lineup weakens tremendously. Devastated by health woes but unwillingly to give up on the pennant chase, the Cleveland Indians organization looked to the waiver wire as well as within for help.
Hot in Cleveland
Move over Betty White, the 2011 Cleveland Indians redefine the title “Hot in Cleveland.” After Travis Hafner went on the DL Tuesday, August 23rd manager Manny Acta commented to the press “These are occasions where heroes are born. Maybe somebody will step up and make a name for themselves.” No Indian made a bigger name for himself throughout August than third-baseman Jake Hannahan. Earlier in the summer in an attempt to improve a struggling offense Hannahan lost the starting third-baseman role to rookie Lonnie Chisenhall. Hannahan, however, won the everyday role back in August by batting over .400 during the month and displaying some timely hitting.
Other heroes emerging in Cleveland, besides those involved in “The Avengers” filming, include starter Fausto Carmona, starter David Huff, outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, and outfielder Ezequiel Carrera. As you might remember from my June Indians recap, fans called for Carmona’s dismissal earlier in the season. Acta and pitching coach Tim Belcher showed why you shouldn’t allow the masses to influence you. Carmona regained his composure in July and kept the momentum going in August. In five August starts Carmona went 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA. The Indians ended up winning two of Carmona’s three no decisions. David Huff, who received the call up in July to replace the injured Carlos Carrasco, sits at 2-2 with a 2.08 ERA for the season.
Considering all the Tribe injuries no one area needed heroes more than the outfield. Veteran Kosuke Fukudome and rookie Ezequiel Carrera turned Cleveland’s B squad outfield into a respectable one. Fukudome, a Non-Waiver Trade Deadline acquisition from the Chicago Cubs, now anchors a rather inexperienced Major League outfield. He transitions, seemingly with ease, back and forth between centerfield and rightfield. In the lineup Fukudome also proves versatile, splitting time at the top and middle of the order. Ezequiel Carrera, who primarily plays centerfield, gives the Indians a reasonable replacement for the leadoff spot, a slot the wounded Michael Brantley manned throughout the season.
Going Retro
Despite all the efforts and heroics one giant void remained which the Indians couldn’t fill internally or through the July Non-Wavier Trade Deadline, the loss of designated hitter Travis Hafner. Without Hafner the Tribe lineup severely weakened. To strengthen the weakness the Indians looked to the Waiver Wire and more specifically a blast from the past. On Friday, August 26th the Cleveland Indians all-time homerun leader Jim Thome returned to Progressive Field as an Indian. The Indians announced the acquisition late Thursday night. In less than 24 hours the Indians sold over 8,500 tickets as a sold out Progressive Field welcomed back the player who played 12 years for the franchise. Thome indeed gives a well needed boost to the Indians lineup. The questions remains though, how far can Jim Thome’s power drive the Cleveland Indians?
SOURCES
Cleveland Indians Official Website