Indians Confidential

For Tribe pitcher David Huff, Sunday afternoons setback to the Twins can come down to one thing – the fifth inning.

It was that inning of disaster that did in Huff, as he allowed five earned runs on four hits, walking two and throwing a wild pitch.

Up to that point, Huff looked in control, not allowing a run as the Indians built a 4-0 lead and looked like they were going to take two of three against the Twins. That is until the implosion by Huff.

“My first pitch strike percentage the first four innings was right there, throwing the breaking ball for strikes, keeping them honest with the change up,” Huff said. “Then I just didn’t have it, don’t know what the deal was. Trying to deal with it, learn from it, move on.”

The inning started with a walk to Michael Cuddyer, and then former Indian Jim Thome slammed a two-run homer to right to quickly make it a 4-2 game.

Huff settled down and struck out Danny Valencia, but then J.J. Hardy, the Twins nine hitter, got on with an infield single up the middle.

Leadoff man Jason Repko slammed a double to left, and then Orlando Hudson did the same, doubling to center to score two runs to make it 4-4.

With Huff clearly rattled at that point, he threw a wild pitch to put Hudson on third, then after he walked Joe Mauer was mercifully pulled for relief pitcher Justin Germano.

Hudson scored on a fielder’s choice to make it 5-4, sending Huff to another loss, his 10th of the season against just two losses.

“I still don’t see the fastball command, that is the number one thing,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “That inning when they scored all their runs it seemed like every guy was hitting 1 and 0. He’s going to have to command the fastball.”

While the first four innings he did not allow a run, Huff did have issues with first pitch strikes, something that Acta was quick to pick up on after the game, and was vocal about when talking about the issues surrounding Huff.

“David had no command at all of his fastball,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “Pitched behind in the count the whole time, and you can’t get away with that at this level. Not even 50 percent of first pitch strikes is going to get it done here.”

When it came to that fifth inning, every ball it seemed the Twins hit they were ready for. Huff did not fool anyone, yet says that it really just came down to trying to be more aggressive.

“I don’t think I was tipping my pitches,” Huff said. “I just wasn’t efficient, wasn’t attacking, was trying to nibble.”

Huff has not tasted victory since back on May 23rd against the Cincinnati Reds. That is a span of two and half months, seven starts, and a trip back to the minors that as of now seemed to do little.

While the Indians and Acta seem frustrated with Huff not making progress, the team has to wonder what happened to the pitcher that led them in wins last season with 11.

The Indians are off on Monday before starting a three-game set at home with the Baltimore O’s starting Tuesday night at 7:05pm.

Indians manager Manny Acta talks about the teams August 8th 5-4 loss to the Twins, David Huff’s issues on the mound, and not being able to drive runners in once again.

A couple Indians landed on the disabled list today, as the team continues their series in Boston Tuesday night with a three game win streak going.

First the team issued the following on catcher Carlos Santana, this coming after a scary injury Monday night making a play at home plate vs Boston.

CA CARLOS SANTANA suffered a hyper extension injury to his left knee last night with a high grade sprain of his lateral collateral ligament (LCL), which is located on the outside of the left knee joint. The Indians medical staff is still gathering information and reviewing treatment options for Carlos at the present time. A better time frame length of time missed and the extent of the injury will be available later in the week. He is out at least 15 days after being placed on the DL earlier today.

I am going on a limb here, Santana has played his last game of the 2010 season.

Travis Hafner is also on the 15-day DL with a shoulder injury.

Hafner has not played since July 28th after suffering from right shoulder inflammation (DL transaction is retro-active to July 29). So far this year he is batting .267 (72-270) with 32 runs scored, 17 doubles, 9HR and 33RBI in 82 games with Cleveland. Over his last 8 games he has hit .449 (13-29) with 3 doubles, a HR and 4RBI. This marks Hafner’s first trip to the disabled list this year and the 5th career trip to the Major League disabled list.

The team called up David Huff, who starts tonight vs the Sox, as well as catcher Lou Marson, who will share the coaching duties with Chris Gimenez.

In a move that simply had to be made, the Tribe today sent struggling lefty David Huff back to the minors, sending him to Triple-A. The move comes after Huff was shelled for five runs on 6 hits in five innings Saturday night against the Pirates. He was set to go Friday in Cincy, but now the team will have to decide if it will be Aaron Laffey or another minor league guy in that spot.

Here’s the official release from the Indians on it.

Today, the Cleveland Indians announced they have optioned LHP DAVID HUFF to AAA Columbus. The Indians will make a corresponding roster move prior to their game on Tuesday, June 22 against the Philadelphia Phillies in Citizens Bank Park.

So far this year Huff went 2-9 with a 6.04 ERA (70.0IP, 88H, 53R/47ER, 30BB, 34K) in 13 starts with the Indians. Saturday, he suffered his American League leading 9th loss (5.0IP, 6H, 5ER, 6BB, 2K) of the season in a 6-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in PNC Park and over his last 11 starts since April 21 Huff was 1-8 with a 7.20 ERA (55.0IP, 78H, 47R/44ER, 27BB, 28K).

Once again Saturday night at PNC Park, Indians starter David Huff was roughed, throwing just five innings against the 2nd worst team record wise in the Majors.

Huff has the most losses in the Majors now at 9, as after last nights setback he falls to 2-9 on the season. This from the same guy that led the team in wins last year.

2010 is all about growth with the Tribe, as well as about finding out about some players. We are learning about Huff as we speak, and the sad part is right now a lot of it is not good.

He has major issues with his control, and it seems like when he gets a little behind in the count or gets runners on, he can’t do enough to get out of sticky situations.

He’s lost in 8 of his last 11 starts, and Saturday night he walked six in the outing. Manny Acta has stated more than once in 2010 you can’t give teams extra outs, and Huff did that a lot on Saturday with the walks.

Acta is well aware of the pitchers troubles, and when asked about it during the post game last night, made mention they are going to take a look at what’s going wrong with the lefty.

“We’re going to have to revisit the situation. We always tell you guys we don’t make any type of knee-jerk reactions. We’re not going to have a meeting in the 10 minutes I get before you guys come into the clubhouse.”

Huff himself knows he’s not throwing well, yet doesn’t seem to have the answers either. “If you don’t throw strikes, you’re not going to win ballgames,” he said. “I threw 104 pitches, and 57 were strikes. That’s not a good ratio.”

And for now, the team should take a long look at putting him on the bench or in Triple-A for awhile to get his stuff back. It’s clear he’s can’t do it at this level right now.

Two young Pirates led the way as they topped the Indians 6-4 at PNC Park on Saturday night. Indians Confidential site editor Matt Loede has the story.

Stephen Strasburg goes to 2-0 on the season as he throws 5.1 of one-run ball as the Nationals avoid a sweep with a 9-4 win over David Huff and the Indians at Progressive Field on Sunday. Matt Loede gives the details.

Indians Confidential Site Editor Matt Loede previews the Wednesday night Indians-Red Sox battle at Progressive Field as Justin Masterson tries to right the ship for the Indians.