Special_K19
04-15-2003, 09:15 PM
04/15/2003 7:04 PM ET
Tribe notes: Settling into bullpen
Wedge 'pleased' with effort of left-handed Traber
By Justice B. Hill / MLB.com
CLEVELAND -- Maybe left-hander Billy Traber is a long reliever after all.
Whether or not he likes the job, the 24-year-old rookie has impressed people in his 5 1/3 innings of relief work this season. Though Traber has had some mild drama along the way, he hasn't given up a run.
In his last outing, Traber's handiwork drew raves from manager Eric Wedge, and nothing about Wedge's assessment has changed.
"He did a good job both against right-handers and left-handers," Wedge said. "I couldn't be more pleased with his performance."
Traber, a No. 1 pick by the Mets in 2000, has been as advertised. He's a finesse pitcher with a deceptive motion. His ball darts and dips like a kayak on rough waters.
That combination of movement and deception will serve Traber well regardless of what role he's in. But ask him, and he'll tell you that he sees himself as a starting pitcher, not as a long reliever.
Did you know? Good riddance, Mike Sweeney. The Royals first baseman has a career average of .332 against the Tribe. Sweeney has hit 15 home runs and knocked in 60 runs against Cleveland.
Injury list: Karim Garcia is one good night's recovery away from being back in the Indians' lineup. He has missed the past seven games with a cyst on his left wrist, but the injury won't require anything more than rest. Wedge said Garcia should start Wednesday night.
Giving back: Pitcher Jason Davis and infielder John McDonald will visit families Thursday morning at the Ronald McDonald House, a charitable residence for families with children receiving care at the Rainbows Babies & Children's Hospital. Davis and McDonald will be at McDonald House, 10415 Euclid Ave., at 11 a.m.
Hot start: Milton Bradley's 12-game hitting streak to start the season is the longest for an Indians player since Tody Harrah hit in 14 straight to start the 1982 season. Just in case anybody wondered, Bradley is nowhere near the Major League record. That record belongs to "Wee" Willie Keeler, who hit in 44 straight to start the 1897 season.
Tribe tidbits: The Indians are 2-5 on this homestand. ... Bradley has scored 12 runs this season. In his past eight hits, Bradley has three homers, four doubles and a single. His average is up to .380. ... After giving up a run Monday night, David Riske's ERA is now 12.46. ... Carl Sadler has yet to allow an earned run in six appearances. ... The Tribe has a team ERA of 3.74. ... After 12 games last season, the Indians had an 11-1 record. ... Wedge put Travis Hafner in the No. 8 spot in the batting order Tuesday, which should tell Tribe fans all they need to know about Hafner's struggles. He's in a 1-for-29 slump. "He's a good hitter," Wedge said. "I think he's gonna work his way out of this." ... The Indians are hitting .228 (92-for-404) as a team, which is 13th in the American League. The Indians are hitting .219 (21-for-96) with runners in scoring position and are 1-for-9 (.111) with the bases loaded.
Fantasy tip: A 1-for-29 slump has Hafner looking for a injection of confidence. It also has made him unproductive in a Fantasy League. Though his minor league credentials were solid gold, he might be pressing too much to make him of any value as a Fantasy League starter.
Quoting 'em: "I thought it was gutless. Brandon [Phillips] hasn't done anything to anybody. He has no history. I told them, 'Don't throw at the young guy. If you want to hit somebody, hit me.' " -- Milton Bradley on the beanball incidents Sunday between the Indians and Royals.
How's the weather? Summer hit The Jake, and for a change, the thought of cold and winter-like days were behind Indians fans Tuesday night. Wednesday's forecast calls for more spring-like weather. Gone will be the 80-degree high, and its replacement will be temperatures in the 60s with a 30-percent chance of rain.
On this day in history ... On April 15, 1958, the Indians opened their season against the Kansas City Athletics. Herb Score was the starting pitcher, and the Indians lineup that day included Roger Maris, Minnie Minoso and Larry Doby. The Tribe lost, 5-0.
Coming up: Right-hander Jake Westbrook gets his second start of the season Wednesday, when he faces right-hander Rick Helling, whom the Orioles signed as a free agent.
Tribe notes: Settling into bullpen
Wedge 'pleased' with effort of left-handed Traber
By Justice B. Hill / MLB.com
CLEVELAND -- Maybe left-hander Billy Traber is a long reliever after all.
Whether or not he likes the job, the 24-year-old rookie has impressed people in his 5 1/3 innings of relief work this season. Though Traber has had some mild drama along the way, he hasn't given up a run.
In his last outing, Traber's handiwork drew raves from manager Eric Wedge, and nothing about Wedge's assessment has changed.
"He did a good job both against right-handers and left-handers," Wedge said. "I couldn't be more pleased with his performance."
Traber, a No. 1 pick by the Mets in 2000, has been as advertised. He's a finesse pitcher with a deceptive motion. His ball darts and dips like a kayak on rough waters.
That combination of movement and deception will serve Traber well regardless of what role he's in. But ask him, and he'll tell you that he sees himself as a starting pitcher, not as a long reliever.
Did you know? Good riddance, Mike Sweeney. The Royals first baseman has a career average of .332 against the Tribe. Sweeney has hit 15 home runs and knocked in 60 runs against Cleveland.
Injury list: Karim Garcia is one good night's recovery away from being back in the Indians' lineup. He has missed the past seven games with a cyst on his left wrist, but the injury won't require anything more than rest. Wedge said Garcia should start Wednesday night.
Giving back: Pitcher Jason Davis and infielder John McDonald will visit families Thursday morning at the Ronald McDonald House, a charitable residence for families with children receiving care at the Rainbows Babies & Children's Hospital. Davis and McDonald will be at McDonald House, 10415 Euclid Ave., at 11 a.m.
Hot start: Milton Bradley's 12-game hitting streak to start the season is the longest for an Indians player since Tody Harrah hit in 14 straight to start the 1982 season. Just in case anybody wondered, Bradley is nowhere near the Major League record. That record belongs to "Wee" Willie Keeler, who hit in 44 straight to start the 1897 season.
Tribe tidbits: The Indians are 2-5 on this homestand. ... Bradley has scored 12 runs this season. In his past eight hits, Bradley has three homers, four doubles and a single. His average is up to .380. ... After giving up a run Monday night, David Riske's ERA is now 12.46. ... Carl Sadler has yet to allow an earned run in six appearances. ... The Tribe has a team ERA of 3.74. ... After 12 games last season, the Indians had an 11-1 record. ... Wedge put Travis Hafner in the No. 8 spot in the batting order Tuesday, which should tell Tribe fans all they need to know about Hafner's struggles. He's in a 1-for-29 slump. "He's a good hitter," Wedge said. "I think he's gonna work his way out of this." ... The Indians are hitting .228 (92-for-404) as a team, which is 13th in the American League. The Indians are hitting .219 (21-for-96) with runners in scoring position and are 1-for-9 (.111) with the bases loaded.
Fantasy tip: A 1-for-29 slump has Hafner looking for a injection of confidence. It also has made him unproductive in a Fantasy League. Though his minor league credentials were solid gold, he might be pressing too much to make him of any value as a Fantasy League starter.
Quoting 'em: "I thought it was gutless. Brandon [Phillips] hasn't done anything to anybody. He has no history. I told them, 'Don't throw at the young guy. If you want to hit somebody, hit me.' " -- Milton Bradley on the beanball incidents Sunday between the Indians and Royals.
How's the weather? Summer hit The Jake, and for a change, the thought of cold and winter-like days were behind Indians fans Tuesday night. Wednesday's forecast calls for more spring-like weather. Gone will be the 80-degree high, and its replacement will be temperatures in the 60s with a 30-percent chance of rain.
On this day in history ... On April 15, 1958, the Indians opened their season against the Kansas City Athletics. Herb Score was the starting pitcher, and the Indians lineup that day included Roger Maris, Minnie Minoso and Larry Doby. The Tribe lost, 5-0.
Coming up: Right-hander Jake Westbrook gets his second start of the season Wednesday, when he faces right-hander Rick Helling, whom the Orioles signed as a free agent.