Tribe win final two to take series from the M's

Believe me when I say I tried to think of a good headline for about four or five minutes but the wife just baked up a batch of brownies and I've zero creative ability with that smell distracting me.

After dropping three straight games at home to the Mariners back in July, the Indians have won five of the last six to finish the season 5-4 against the Mariners. Friday's season opener was not one of those wins, however. Starter David Huff was bounced early, going just 3.2 innings after being tagged with five runs on six hits while walking four. With that early departure the Indians turned to their long arm in the pen. That's right: Tomo Ohka, so you can figure how that went too. Offensively the Indians did score four runs which isn't too bad but it wasn't enough. Matt LaPorta had a double and Shin-Soo Choo knocked in half the Indians runs with no one scoring more than once and the Indians striking out six times. Indians (52-69) lose 9-4.

Saturday's game featured pitching ace Aaron Laffey turn on the mound for the Indians. Laffey quickly surrendered three runs in the top of the first inning, but somehow that didn't sink either the Indians offense, or Laffey for that matter. The first inning was a surprise since Laffey had two guys out and only one base runner on first, but a single brought the first run in and a Russell Branyan home run (#30) scored the other two. After that, though, the Mariners didn't get so lucky and the Indians started chipping away at the Mariners lead. The bottom of the third saw the Indians hitting three straight singles to start the inning but only scored one run when Asdrubal Carbrera hit into a double play. Travis Hafner hit a solo shot in the fourth to bring the Indians within a run of tying the game, and in the seventh Andy Marte's sacrifice fly did just that tying the game at three apiece. You have to fast forward to the 11th before any more scoring occurs, where Luis Valbuena's solo home run ended the game. Good work by Laffey, Chris Perez, Kerry Wood, Tony Sipp, Joe Smith, and 0.1 innings of Rafael Perez for the win, for holding the Mariners scoreless for ten innings. Tribe (53-69) win 4-3.

Today's win was special, mostly because it represented Fausto Carmona's first major league win since May. In notching a win Carmona went seven innings, only surrendering one run on five hits. Offensively the Indians exploded for four runs in the sixth which was helped out by a Mariner error that allowed the first baserunner, Jhonny Peralta, to reach base and later score. Peralta had already hit his tenth home run of the season before the Tribe's outburst. The bullpen of Chris Perez and Tony Sipp pitched the final two frames, and the Indians (54-69) win 6-1.

If you haven't noticed, after his disastrous debut, Chris Perez has been lights=out good. Tony Sipp isn't too bad either. Word on the internet has David Huff being shut down soon, so expect to see one or two new starters. Jamey Carroll gets a shout out by Buster Olney who wonders why Carrol hasn't yet been traded considering his second half on-base percentage of .484 against lefties.

Tomorrow the Indians start a three series against a team that actually has a worse record. Yes the Royals suck even more than the Indians.

Game 1: Jeremy Sowers, LHP (4-9, 4.82) vs. Gil Meche, RHP (6-9, 4.73)
Game 2: Justin Masterson, RHP (4-4, 4.36) vs. Zack Greinke, RHP (11-8, 2.44)
Game 3: David Huff, LHP (7-7, 6.80) vs. Luke Hochevar, RHP (6-6, 5.60)

Jeremy Sowers has shown promise at times this season, or should I say generally throughout his career. Justin Masterson's last start was good but followed an abysmal outing. Hopefully the good Masterson continues to show up and that Huff's disappointing previous start is due to his tiring late in the season. Don't expect to see Huff pitching in September.

Go Tribe!

(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)