Indians Confidential

The good news on Sunday (hey, gotta find something positive, right) was that pitcher Cliff Lee and CF Grady Sizemore were named to All-Star team. Lee is rumored to be the starter for the AL, something that hasn’t happened since Charlie Nagy. Then, the Indians took the field. Actually, the game vs the Twins wasn’t that bad, that is until Lee, today’s starter, got in trouble in the 7th, allowing three runs in the teams 8th straight loss, 4-3.

The offense gave the Tribe a 3-1 lead entering that 7th, as Ryan Garko singled in a run, then Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run homer off of Glen Perkins to give Lee and the team a three-run lead. Lee allowed a run in the 6th when Alexi Casilla sinlged in a run, and then the wheels came off in the 7th, when the Twins put up a three-spot to put the game away.

Most of the damage came with one out, as Nick Punto singled in a run to make it 3-2, then the Twins number nine hitter, Denard Span, drew a huge walk off Lee to tie the game at three. A Chris Gomez ground out with the bases loaded got in the winning run, as it scored Brendan Harris to make it 4-3.

The Tribe went quietly in the final two innings, as they were not able to put a base runner on in either inning. Joe Nathan stopped them in the 9th with two strikeouts and a ground out to earn his 25th save of the season, pushing the Twins to 50-38. The loss puts the Indians at 37-51.

The team has Monday off, then they wrap up what’s been the road trip from hell with two games vs the Tigers on Tuesday and Wednesday before they start a four-game homestand vs the Rays starting on Thursday.