Sunday, August 26, 2007

Weekend sports thoughts

This was an interesting week for the Indians, as they have actually won four of their last six.

Sunday's game was especially interesting, as they looked bored and headed for defeat with two outs in the ninth inning. But trailing 3-2, Grady Sizemore looped a single to center and took second when the center fielder dove and had the ball bounce in front of him.

Then Asdrubal Cabrera (who has relieved my frustration over the benching of Josh Barfield) singled Sizemore in. The Indians took the lead in the 11th on two-out, RBI singles from Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez, and Joe Borowski defied all conventional wisdom by pitching a 1-2-3 inning for the save.

Perhaps most impressive about the win was the Indians driving in four of their five runs with two out hits. It doesn't dolve all of the team's problems, but it was a step in the right direction. Casey Blake even drove in a run with a two-out single.

Here's the thing about Blake: He has four hits and two RBIs over the last two games, each in the No. 9 spot in the batting order. Perhaps he's found his calling. Still (and I have said this before), Blake is not hurting the Indians nearly as much as Hafner, who came into the game hitting under .200 with runners in scoring position. If the Indians want to do anything this season and beyond, he has to produce more. You can't give $15 million to a designated hitter who hits .250 and hits 23 homers a year.

Fausto Carmona wasn't his usual brilliant self. In fact, by his standards, he was mediocre. That just means he was pretty good by everyone else's standards. At least he didn't get a loss pinned on him today.
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The Browns' preseason win in Denver was their first of any kind over the Broncos since a Monday night in 1990, when Jerry Kauric kicked a game-winning field goal. Bud Carson's Browns won all of three games that season, but the memory of the contest still warms my heart.

Anyway, a win in Denver is a win in Denver.

Charlie Frye looked better than he has in a long time. He had time to throw, and because of that, was able to run effectively when he needed too. I think he cemented himself as the Browns starting quarterback for the opener against Pittsburgh.

- Brady Quinn looked great again. He shouldn't start the opener (remember, Ben Roethlisberger didn't start for the Steelers right away), but he should go into the year as the No. 2 QB. And by the way, his throw to Joe Jerevicius was a touchdown.

-No one is talking about it, but I'm a tad concerned about Phil Dawson.
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Thanks to Matt Sussman and Deadspin for giving me my biggest day (by far) on the blog in terms of hits. If anyone is wondering, I chose Van Morrison because (as usual readers know) I am a huge fan. There is no connection between Morrison and the Browns that I know of.

Next Week: Cavs players and Janis Joplin songs.

Just kidding.

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At 9:43 AM , Blogger Joel said...

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