Tenacious Lee

It's been a rollercoaster season for pitcher Cliff Lee. He started off the season at (10-1) and fell off midseason going (0-6) with a 10.51 ERA from July 21 - Sept 2.

Lee was acquired from the Expos in 2002 and never really struggled. He went (26-17) record with a 3.41 ERA in a 72 game period.

Though it seems now Lee has come back from out of the shadows. He is 2-0 in his last to starts and 3-1 in his last for starts, and last night showed it. Lee threw 6 people out, walked one, gave up 3 hits and run in 6 and 1/3 inngings pitched in a 5-1 victory for Cleveland.

"He went through (a) dead arm (phase) and the league started making adjustments to him. He was feeling himself in a place he hadn't been before. He never had any difficulty before.
He weathered the storm and I think he learned a lot. From a mental aspect, that's something he had to go through. That's just part of a young starting pitcher maturing to this level. He was humbled a little bit, so it was important for him to comeback strong and Cliff has done that." -Indians manager Eric Wedge

Go Tribe!

Pay cut, part-time role would be required

From ESPN.com, by the Associated Press

CLEVELAND -- Omar Vizquel's days with the Cleveland Indians could be dwindling. And although free agency beckons for the Gold Glove shortstop, he can't imagine playing for any other team.

Vizquel, who has played 11 seasons in Cleveland, may not get a 12th if the Indians decline to pick up the $5 million option on his contract for 2005.

"Regardless of what happens I'll play somewhere next season," Vizquel said. "I'll be sad if I have to leave Cleveland, but what can I do? That's how baseball operates. But I remain optimistic that I'll be able to stay."

The Indians, who are eager to get International League MVP Jhonny Peralta in their lineup next season, are not expected to exercise their part of the mutual option, making the 37-year-old Vizquel a free agent.

Unless Vizquel is willing to take a substantial pay cut and become a part-time player, he has two weeks and four home games left with the Indians.

Vizquel plans to sit down with Indians general manager Mark Shapiro after the season and listen to what the Indians might be able to offer him.

"I want to stay here, but I have to see what their plan is and what kind of contract it is," said. "I feel like they have a good young team here ready to win, to go for it all. There is no other team I really want to play for."

Shapiro has already stated that he wants Vizquel back, but only if the price is right.

After last season, the Indians had agreed in principle to a trade sending Vizquel to Seattle, where he lives in the offseason. However, Vizquel, who had two surgeries on his right knee last season, failed the Mariners' physical.

"I don't really want to play for Seattle now because they are rebuilding and I don't want to go through that again like I did here," said Vizquel. "But I am going to play somewhere because I am not ready to quit."

Vizquel has been a pleasant surprise for Cleveland this season. Entering Monday night's game in Detroit, he's batting .294 with 79 runs, seven homers, 58 RBI and 17 stolen bases -- numbers any team would love to have.

The Indians could still sign Vizquel after he becomes a free agent in November, but a deal would have to be in place by Dec. 7 when teams must offer their own free agents arbitration or risk losing them.

Vizquel is hopeful things can be worked out.

"I had a short conversation with Mark and he said he wants to sit down and talk with me after the season," Vizquel said. "It should take about an hour. It will be either yes or no, it's that simple."

So Close

What else could be said about yesterdays 1-0 loss to the Oakland Athletics, besides that it wasn't the pitchers fault. Jake Westbrook spent a complete 8 innings on the mound for the tribe. And in those innings Westbrook threw 6 k's, gave up one earned run, 5 hits, and just one walk. Which is not bad. It is actually something you would ask of you pitcher.

No, no. The problem here was the offensive didn't seem to want to help out their pitchers case. In the end all it takes is just one run.

Keep the faith. Go Tribe!

Is Time Running Out?

Lets say you just dropped 5 games in a row, and your team record is 67-71, plus a little less than 4 weeks left in the season. One would think to throw in the towel, but not in the city that rocks. For example like rocking the Yankees for 22 runs. That is something to be proud about especially since the Yankees had no runs scored. There is about 24 games to be played for this team. Only 10.5 games behind the Twins in the division, the Indians can sneak up on the twins. If the Astros can win 10 in a row then so can we. Right? The destiny is in the teams hand they play the Twins 7 more times before the season is over. A lot can happen. Right?

Ooooo-o-oooo-oo
Go Tribe!

Elarton to battle Angels

Scott Elarton has a big job on his hands. With the AL Central race beginning to slip away, Elarton has a great opportunity to gain some ground. True, the Angels have some great hitting, and probably won't be too intimidated; Elarton's head will need to be in the right place tonight - he'll have to play through it. Based on his last performance, it seems at least possible. He'll be facing Kelvim Escobar on the mound.

With a win tonight, we'll gain some ground on the Twins, who sit in first place in AL Central. Let's make it a good one, Cleveland!

GO INDIANS!!!