Back to Reality?

Is this the real Cleveland Indians we are watching and was the last 4-2 homestand the aberration? One would think going out to Colorado would only enhance the Tribe's offensive upswing. Oh contrare, mon frair (no clue how to spell that). The Wahoos went back to what they do best; forgetting to come through in the clutch. Rally's seem to die with a whimper, and after another 4-2 loss, the Indians now sit in fourth place, 7.5 games out of first. I feel like I sound like a broken record when I say "does this team EVER get a big hit?"

With two on and nobody in the 7th and Jason Grilli on the hill, Eric Wedge went to the bench and lefty David Dellucci in the pitcher's spot. Good move. Unless that pinch-hitter is a scrub dog like Dellucci who K'd badly without swinging at the two pitches that were right down the middle, yet checking on the 2-2 pitch that was way out of the strike zone. Naturally, the only run the Indians could manufacturer in the 7th was on a passed ball and a Shin-Soo Choo sacrifice fly. Heaven forbid someone would drive one to the gap.

Meanwhile, the Indians lack of speed on both sides of showed of the ball yet again last night. While former Tribe prospect Willy Tavares was wreaking havoc on the basepaths (his infield single, stolen bases, etc) and with running down seemingly every fly ball hit in the spacious gaps of the Coors outfield, Wedge's boys continue to be a station to station club with zero speed; not to mention Jhonny Peralta's lack of range at shortstop continues to frustrate everyone.

You can live with Jhon's porous defense as long as he is hitting. After taking the collar again last night, Peralta sits at .231. He came to the plate in the 6th with two on and two out, and flied out. He is now hitting .188 with runners in scoring position. Who does he think he is, Fake? That was one run right there. On the other side, with two out in the 6th and noted Tribe killer (this series at least) Jeff Baker on second, Omar Quintanilla blooped one to short which 95% of the major league shortstops get too, but not Jhonny. The ball went over his head and a key run was pushed across. What about the 7th - Tavares' leadoff infield single? Jhonny's slow feet getting to the ball allowed the speedster to get on base. He eventually scored. (SIDE NOTE - it's not like they are getting beaten by Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, and Todd Helton - it's Tavarez, Baker, and Quintanilla).

If you are scoring at home, that is two runs Jhonny cost the Indians on defense alone.

One can only wonder how much longer they can leave Asdrubal Cabrera in Buffalo and Jhonny as the everyday SS. When AC plays short, it really made you realize just how bad Peralta's range truly is. As we stated before, you can live with it when Jhonny is hitting .280 with power. But its getting real late, early, and the time for re-evaluation of everything may soon be upon us.

We are setting the over/under on how many more days C.C. Sabathia is wearing Tribe Red, White, and Blue at 30.