Roster Update: The Indians released former closer Chris Ray from AAA Columbus today to allow him to try to find a Major League job elsewhere. He was signed as a Spring Training invitee, but was beaten out for a roster spot by Jairo Asencio and Dan Wheeler, both of whom have since been designated for assignment.
The Indians also announced today that Nick Hagadone was sent down prior to today’s game and the Indians played the game with a 24 man roster. It is expected that Scott Barnes will return to the big league club for Sunday’s game.
Player of the Game
Shelley Duncan capped off a good night by hitting a two run home run in the 8th inning, bringing his Player of the Game score to 5.17. Duncan walked earlier in the game and scored then as well. Ubaldo Jimenez was a close second with a score of 4.55 as he pitched 6 innings and only allowed 2 runs to score. Jimenez earned the win and struck out eight.
Feathers Up
An umpire changed an on the field decision for the first time in Manny Acta’s career. In what seemed an impossible outcome, first base umpire, Jerry Meals actually asked the home plate umpire for help on a blown call and reversed his decision. The play changed a Jose Lopez ground out into a Jose Lopez safe error. This solution was so simple and if umpires did this more often and were a little more flexible in admiting what actually happened instead of what they thought they saw for a split second, but were obviously wrong about, there would be a lot less talk about instant replay in baseball. Thank you umpires. It’s a good thing this game was in Cleveland and not New York.
Indians hitters said today, “who cares what arm a pitcher throws with,” for one of the first times this year. A slightly changed lineup with Jason Kipnis and Travis Hafner on the bench had no problem hitting doubles against Matt Moore and scoring 5 runs before knocking Moore out in the 5th inning.
Feathers Down
For some reason Fox and Major League Baseball feel it is necessary to keep fans from watching the game they want to in an effort to get them to watch the game they want them too. Thanks to Fox and MLB for allowing me to listen to Tom Hamilton instead of actually seeing what was happening.
Shelley Duncan hates the Rage as he refused to let him get into the game today with a two run home run in the 8th inning. What a punk. Over the last ten games, Perez has only finished three, while Esmil Rogers has finished four, including today’s matchup.
Play of the Game
The Jose Lopez out call that was reversed, marking a new age in umpiring.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 7 – Tampa Bay Rays 3
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