Off a 6-1 homestand, manager Eric Wedge speaks to the media following the latest Indians 4-2 win at Progressive Field over the A’s. Wedge talks about the homestand, the scoreless streak, the hitting coming around, the closer role, and the upcoming trip to Cincy. Click below to hear the Indians manager talk about this latest win and other topics.
In one of his more peeved off moods, Indians skipper Eric Wedge spoke to the media Monday night following game two of the double header with the Jays. The manger talks about the frustration at the plate, the wasted effort from Cliff Lee, and does not even give much credit to the team for the Asdrubal Cabrera triple play. Worth listening. Click below to hear the manager.
Tribe skipper Eric Wedge spoke to the media before Friday’s matchup with the Blue Jays at home, kicking off a 7-game in 7-day homestand. In this audio Eric talks about the ongoing issues with the offense, the update on Victor Martinez, the Travis Hafner saga, the wins in New York, as well as getting some consistent hitting going. Click below to hear the manger of the Indians talk about his team and tonight’s matchup.
Eric Wedge Sunday said the team will do whatever it takes to get out of its offensive slump, and one move that is going to happen will take place tomorrow, when outfielder Ben Francisco joins the team for its trip to the Brox to play the Yankees. Francisco told a reporter in AAA Buffalo that he is being recalled by the Indians for the second time this season.
He was called up for four days back on April 22nd when the team put Jake Westbrook on the DL. More proof of the callup is the fact he was pulled from the second game of a doubleheader Sunday for the Bisons. Last season in 25 games with the Indians he hit .274.
The question will be what roster move is made to make room for Francisco? The obvious choice would be to dump Jason Michaels, and put him on waivers. Michaels is hitting just .207, and has struck out 13 times in 58 at-bats. The move would open up the left field spot for Francisco and David Dellucci, who is hitting .264 with three homers.
Another tough day for the Indians offense and manager Eric Wedge, as the team was again held to four hits and zero runs in falling to the Royals 2-0. Click below to hear Wedge’s comments as his team continues to struggle at the plate, and also he talks about the very solid outing again from Aaron Laffey.
Indians manager Eric Wedge talks to the media following the Indians 8-3 win over the Mariners at Progressive FIeld. Wedge speaks about Cliff Lee, the offense and the month of April and where he thinks things are heading with the team. Click below to hear the postgame presser with manger Eric Wedge.
The hitting woes continued again on Tuesday night at Progressive Field, as the Tribe was outdone by the Mariners 7-2. The team pounded out eight hits, three doubles (two by Grady Sizemore) and five singles. They also only drew one walk, something that this team last season was doing well that they are not in 2008. Overall the numbers are drab - 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position, and eight men left on base. Ugh.
There’s no question that 27 games in, the lack of offense, other than a small spurt here and there, has been the biggest letdown of the team to date. Again as you look up and down the lineup, players that are being counted on as producers in the lineup are stressing, and in the meantime not getting it done.
The most glaring has to be Travis Hafner, who continues to look like a fish out of water at the plate. Is this a long-term thing? After all, despite the fact that he says you can’t look at last seasons struggles and compare them for him to this year - why not? First the deal was that once he got signed long-term, he’d be fine. That didn’t do it. Then it was just get him into 2008 and he’d be better. So far, that’s not the case. Wedge alluded it to two nights ago that Hafner and Ryan Garko simply needed to start hitting, but two days later, it has yet to happen.
Where does the blame in terms of Derek Shelton, hitting coach fall in? A few years back there was a revolt when the team was not hitting, and eventually it then led to the dismissal of then hitting coach Eddie Murray. While Shelton can’t get up there and hit himself, one has to wonder why there has yet to be any heat piled on him for the lack of production at the plate.
Tonight vs Jarrod Washburn, a pitcher who is struggling for Seattle at 1-3, the team has yet another chance to start turning things around. Right now they are pressing at the plate, swinging at too many first pitches, and not coming up with any clutch hits. No better time to start turning all that around. Now is a question of if they will.
Matt has covered Major League Baseball and the "other two" Pro teams in Cleveland since 1994. He has been on the beat of the Indians in full-time mode since 1996, working for various raido and print networks around the country.
There are 400 Posts and 22 Comments.
