While I Was Sminking

Last night, I had a dream the included finding a lost pair of scissors while on the way to my bombed out kitchen to get a fork as a beached viking ship was torched by arsonists.  If 24 hours ago, you had asked me to choose the more likely between that actually happening and Austin Kearns cracking a clutch 2-out 3-run homer to give the Tribe the lead over the Yankees, I certainly would have gone with the ship.  The frustration of the season's first three months was almost worthwhile to see Austin (.200) deliver more RBI with a single swing than he had in all of 2011 previous.  The PD describes him as "much maligned," the most glaring under-statement I have ever read.  Fans despise Kearns both for wasting a roster spot and for the mid-market payroll restrictions he represents.  Rest assured that Austin, and CHUD Durbin for that matter, would be long gone had he not constituted a "major" free agent signing for the cash strapped club.  Still, today, we bask in a warm glow of a win over the Evil Empire and dream of making Carsten Charles look like the bum that showed up in October of 2007.  Soak it in.

What we should not do is minimize the effort of Josh Tomlin.  Tomlin finally set that record that we have been hearing about all season, as he pitched 5+ innings for the 29th consecutive start to begin his career.  This is described as "post-1919" record because baseball-reference.com (the current gold standard?) cannot guarantee accurate and comprehensive box scores prior to 1919.  Also, in case you are confused, the record entails two qualifiers: the obvious 5+ innings pitched and that the pitcher has never throw out of the bullpen.  That is, each of first 29 appearances have been starts.  Try not to think about it in a "best second baseman in all of Italy" sense and focus on giving Josh the accolades he so richly deserves for no-hitting the Yanks for six innings and gutting his way through the 7th.

Speaking of deserved accolades, many in the media expect another Indians pitcher to join Asdrubal Cabrera and Chris Perez on the AL all-star roster.  Should any of the American League's hurlers choose not to participate do to injury or scheduling issues, either a starter or a set-up man might be added.  Tomlin (10-4, 3.78, #1 in K/BB, #6 in WHIP), Carlos Carrasco (8-4, 3.54), and Justin Masterson (6-6, 2.85, #9 in ERA, #1 in HR/9) all have valid resumes as do Joe Smith (2-1, 0.95), Vinnie Pestano (1-0, 1.72, 12.4 K/9, .157 OBA) and Rafael Perez (3-1, 1.60) from the pen.  If I had to peg one as the most likely to add stars on his shoulders (you did see them on AzCab and Rage yesterday, right?), I would go with Carrasco, who has been lights out over the past month (4-1, 0.98 since June 2) and pitches for his ninth victory tonight.

Though he has performed like a funhouse mirror version of his Bullpen Mafia teammates, I do have to recognize Chad Durbin (2-1, 6.42) for his effectiveness in a tight situation against the Redlegs on Saturday.  Leave it to the FOX broadcasters to find the only positive statistic that Durbin has produced all season: stranding inherited runners.  Entering Saturday's appearance, only 2 of 19 had scored against Chad.  Chalk the two left on base for Cincy into the plus column as well.  Let us hope it to be a watershed moment and the CD that the brass paid for shines in the second half.

Any mention of Saturday's game warrants a discussion of Fausto Carmona and his "moderate" right quad strain.  The only way that Carmona could have looked more foolish stumbling into first would be if he had broken his clavicle on the base itself. ;-j There is some conjecture as to who might join the big club to make the start in Fausto's spot in the rotation.  Some keep pushing Jeanmar Gomez (0-1, 4.91) as a possibility even though he threw 8 strong innings (4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, BB, 4 K) for Columbus on Sunday.  From noting that Gomez has made starts on short rest in the past to suggesting that Mitch Talbot could come back on Thursday against the Jays with Jeanmar starting on Friday, this all seems like a great deal of effort to facilitate the second best option.  Zach McAllister will start on Thursday.  Write it down.

Though his promotion has bee delayed, if by nothing else then by the sore right knee off of which he fouled a pitch, 2B Jason Kipnis (.305) was named the IL player of the week.  Kip went 13-for-26 (.500) with 3 HR and 7 RBI and a 1.491 OPS.

Both of the high profile pitching prospects promoted from Akron to Columbus have settled in nicely.  Nick Hagadone (2-1, 4.79 @ AAA) threw two hitless innings (BB, 2 K) in the Clippers 13-inning loss last night and has a 1.04 ERA since June 14.  Even better has been CC Lee (3-1, 2.25).  The man with the most ironic name in Indians history earned the W in Friday's 10-inning affair and has not allowed a run in his first 4.1 with the Clippers, while fanning 8.

RHP Bryan Price (Victor Martinez trade) has found his rhythm after a rocky start with the Aeros.  Price (2-2, 2.84) picked the win on Saturday and has posted a 1.35 ERA since May 24th (5.40 prior).  Right handers hit just .232 off of Price and his OBA with runners on base is a minuscule .179.  One would think that Price will see a promo to AAA sometime this season.

Chun Chen, a victim of the rash of injuries to catchers in the Tribe system, was healthy enough to DH on Sunday, socking his 9th home run.  Chun had not played since June 19th, yet still ranks second on the club in HR and RBI (39) and leads current players.  Adam Miller (1-2, 3.60) tossed a scoreless ninth in the same game and has not been scored on since June 4th.

Rob Bryson (CC Sabathia trade) continues to dazzle for High-A Kinston.  Bryson (0-1, 1.26) was once again unscored upon in a 2 IP stint on Saturday, one that featured 4 punch outs.  He has not allowed a run in 10.1 IP since joining the little Indians and has fanned 14.  Akron beckons.

That's enough.

Cheers.