I could sit here, bitch & moan. I bet you thought I was going to start ranting on how Jeanmar Gomez squandered all of his positive momentum going into the off season. I'm sure you pictured me down on my knees, thanking the almighty that I shall never have to watch C.H.U.D. Durbin throw another pitch for the Indians. Sure, all of that is true. Instead, I'll focus on the impressive work of Nick Hagadone. Tonight, Nick did absolutely everything that you want a left-handed relief pitcher to do. After entering with a runner on second and one out, Hagadone proceeded to retire All-Star catcher Alex Avila (a lefty) and Ramon Santiago (switch-hitter) to escape further damage. In the seventh he was more dominant still, striking out a pair and picking off Ryan Raburn, whom he had walked, on an excellent move to first. Now, he still has some control issues (16/29 pitches for strikes today, 6 BB in 11 IP), but his OBA is .118. .118! Given some of Tony Sipp's problems down the stretch (4.25 ERA since the end of June, 10 HR allowed in 62.1 IP), fully expect Hagadone to challenge for a bullpen spot next spring.
There is not much else to say, except that the boys fanned 13 more times and have a real shot to overtake the Mariners for the AL lead if they continue swing and miss tomorrow. Huh, #1: Injuries, #2: Strikeouts. It's startin' to come together, Pepper.
Here's to going out with a bang (and a .500 season).
Cheers.
P.s. Here's a picture of Ty Cobb (just right of the dude in the straw hat) in an Indians uniform from the Addie Joss Benefit Game at League Park in 1911. Never heard of it? Before today, neither had I. The Georgia Peach's trunk never arrived, so he had to borrow a uni. Check out an excellent piece on the game here.
