CaPPiNg TiGeRz
09-04-2007, 10:03 AM
Cleveland (79-58) at Minnesota (69-69)
Game Info: 8:10 pm EDT Tue Sep 4, 2007
After having their eight-game winning streak snapped over on Sunday, the Cleveland Indians wasted little time getting back on track.
The AL Central leaders continue a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins (69-69) on Tuesday night after shutting them out in the opener.
Cleveland (79-58) came off an 8-0 loss to the last-place Chicago White Sox on Sunday by beating Minnesota 5-0 on Monday. The Indians, who increased their lead in the Central over idle Detroit to six games, defeated Twins ace and reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana for the fifth time this year.
"(Santana is) one of the best in the game," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. "Fortunately for us, we had our guy out there, too, who's also one of the best in the game."
Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia allowed six hits over eight innings en route to his 16th win, and Ryan Garko had two hits including his 15th homer.
"Our guys did a good job today of manufacturing and finishing off innings," Wedge told the Indians' official Web site. "If you want to talk about getting some big hits, some big at-bats, some tough at-bats, there's a lot of things that contributed to that."
Alexei Casilla had a career-high four hits for the Twins.
"They're comfortable," Santana said of Cleveland. "They have a lot of confidence, and that's how you win games. If you look around, we're not half that."
The Indians have gotten quality starts from their rotation in nine of their last 12 games. They hope that trend continues with rookie Aaron Laffey (2-1, 5.01 ERA).
Laffey made his first four major league starts last month, including two since being recalled from the minors on Aug. 24. The left-hander allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 1-3 innings against Seattle on Thursday in his home debut, but he did not receive a decision in the 6-5 win.
"He pitched a good ballgame," Indians bench coach Jeff Datz said. "He stayed aggressive, kept the ball down and got ground*****."
Laffey made his major league debut on Aug. 4 in Minneapolis. He gave up three runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 3-2 loss to the Twins.
Minnesota, which is 10 1/2 games behind the Indians, will recall Kevin Slowey (3-0, 5.84) to start this contest. The right-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since July 5, when he allowed five runs and eight hits in 3 2-3 innings of a 7-6 loss to the New York Yankees.
Slowey's batterymate likely will be Mike Redmond, who continues to start for the injured Joe Mauer.
Mauer has not played since Aug. 25 due to an injured left hamstring, and there's no timetable for his return. Mauer, who won the AL batting title last year with a .347 average, is hitting only .294 in 95 games this year. He was out for more than a month earlier this season because of a strained left quadriceps.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said before Monday's game that when Mauer does return, he will remain behind the plate despite calls from both local newspapers to move him to third.
"You tell me you can go find me another catcher who can do what Joe Mauer can do, or close. I'll tell you you're wrong," Gardenhire said. "He ain't out there."
The Twins have dropped six of eight overall. They've also gone 2-3 on their seven-game homestand
Game Info: 8:10 pm EDT Tue Sep 4, 2007
After having their eight-game winning streak snapped over on Sunday, the Cleveland Indians wasted little time getting back on track.
The AL Central leaders continue a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins (69-69) on Tuesday night after shutting them out in the opener.
Cleveland (79-58) came off an 8-0 loss to the last-place Chicago White Sox on Sunday by beating Minnesota 5-0 on Monday. The Indians, who increased their lead in the Central over idle Detroit to six games, defeated Twins ace and reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana for the fifth time this year.
"(Santana is) one of the best in the game," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. "Fortunately for us, we had our guy out there, too, who's also one of the best in the game."
Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia allowed six hits over eight innings en route to his 16th win, and Ryan Garko had two hits including his 15th homer.
"Our guys did a good job today of manufacturing and finishing off innings," Wedge told the Indians' official Web site. "If you want to talk about getting some big hits, some big at-bats, some tough at-bats, there's a lot of things that contributed to that."
Alexei Casilla had a career-high four hits for the Twins.
"They're comfortable," Santana said of Cleveland. "They have a lot of confidence, and that's how you win games. If you look around, we're not half that."
The Indians have gotten quality starts from their rotation in nine of their last 12 games. They hope that trend continues with rookie Aaron Laffey (2-1, 5.01 ERA).
Laffey made his first four major league starts last month, including two since being recalled from the minors on Aug. 24. The left-hander allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 1-3 innings against Seattle on Thursday in his home debut, but he did not receive a decision in the 6-5 win.
"He pitched a good ballgame," Indians bench coach Jeff Datz said. "He stayed aggressive, kept the ball down and got ground*****."
Laffey made his major league debut on Aug. 4 in Minneapolis. He gave up three runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 3-2 loss to the Twins.
Minnesota, which is 10 1/2 games behind the Indians, will recall Kevin Slowey (3-0, 5.84) to start this contest. The right-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since July 5, when he allowed five runs and eight hits in 3 2-3 innings of a 7-6 loss to the New York Yankees.
Slowey's batterymate likely will be Mike Redmond, who continues to start for the injured Joe Mauer.
Mauer has not played since Aug. 25 due to an injured left hamstring, and there's no timetable for his return. Mauer, who won the AL batting title last year with a .347 average, is hitting only .294 in 95 games this year. He was out for more than a month earlier this season because of a strained left quadriceps.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said before Monday's game that when Mauer does return, he will remain behind the plate despite calls from both local newspapers to move him to third.
"You tell me you can go find me another catcher who can do what Joe Mauer can do, or close. I'll tell you you're wrong," Gardenhire said. "He ain't out there."
The Twins have dropped six of eight overall. They've also gone 2-3 on their seven-game homestand