Game #112: Laffey Handcuffs the Rangers in a 5-0 Indians Win
If you going to start thinking about next season, you do realize that the Indians don’t have an ace pitcher – right? Well, why we’re on the subject, how about the performance as of late from Aaron Laffey, a guy who if he continues to make strides, could find himself at or near the top of the rotation for 2010 and beyond.
Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers at Progressive Field, Laffey was outstanding, throwing 6.2 innings, allowing just six hits, not allowing a run and walking three and striking out two as the Indians started a quick three-game homestand vs the Rangers with a 5-0 win. Laffey moves to 6-3 on the season, and his ERA now drops to 3.25.
The offense did all it’s damage off Ohio native Dustin Nippert in a five-run third inning that saw a Jhonny Peralta walk, a Travis Hafner single, a Luis Valbuena double and a Trevor Crowe sac fly account for all the Indians runs on the night. The team actually won the game being outhit 7-6, but with Laffey in control, the outcome was never in doubt.
So why all the sudden has this team started playing much better? The team seems a ton more loose, all the major players are gone through trades, and the young players are actually starting to show some skills, as guys like Laffey, Crowe and Valbuena are playing a lot better than they were the than earlier in the year.
The team is now 49-63, and the thought of getting to .500 would still be a minor miracle, but hey, if this keeps up, why not? They have won 5 of 6, 7 of 10 and 13 of their last 19. They are 14-9 in the second half, which is amazing considering what they have had to go though in the locker room.
The team can go for another series win on Wednesday night as they take on the Rangers in game two of the three game set. Fausto Carmona goes for the Indians vs Tommy Hunter for the Rangers.






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.