Two Balls In Play Equal One Indians Out

((HT: MLB.com))

The Cleveland Indians Yan Gomes hit a double to the wall last night in their loss to the Cincinnati Reds in interleague play, but instead of sustaining a rally- the actions from the outfield effectively killed it.

Here's the fun with David Murphy...

Unless, of course, you're Murphy...

Lake County Parodies "Major League" For Promo

((HT: Lake County Captains their own selves/Josh Porter))

It's the 25th anniversary of one of the HQ's favorite movies, so this minor league team took it upon themselves to riff off one of the best American Express ads in the history of movies...


In order, the players who got to read off cue cards:

Eric Haase
Matt Whitehouse
Dace Kime
Nellie Rodriguez
Paul Hendrix
Mark Budzinski
Clint Frazier

And here's the original from MovieClips

Jason Kipnis And The Almost Inside-The-Park HR

((HT: MLB/FSAZ))

Cleveland and Arizona played for a while last night- Arizona eventually winning 9-8 in 14 innings.

But the Indians Jason Kipnis almost forced the issue an inning earlier with a shot to center
The D-Backs Didi Gregorius had issue with Kipnis' plans...

Cleveland Wins on Extra Inning Walk-Off Balk

((ht: mlb.com))

Haha! Yeah, this really did happen.

The Cleveland Indians beat the Detroit Tigers 11-10 in 13 innings Thursday afternoon when Tigers relief pitcher Al Albuquerque balked home the winning run.

Huh?

Believe it or not, this did happen because Albuquerque went and shook his body in a move that appeared to signal he was going into his motion. And according to the rules of baseball, once you start, you can't stop. The balk is called for essentially deceiving the runners. Asdrubal Cabrera strolls home to a jubilant Ryan Rayburn. The fans and the announcers celebrate....

But hey, a win is a win and the struggling Indians we're sure are more than happy to take it.

Tom Hamilton Comes Out Of His Shoes Again...

((HT: FS Indians/MLB))

Thanks, again, to Jason Giambi...

Another pinch-hit homer...another game-winning pinch-hit homer...


And the Indians are still in the American League Wild Card hunt...

Ryan Raburn's 1-2-3 Inning...

((HT: FS Indians))

Ryan Raburn was brought in by Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona in a blowout so as not to blow out his bullpen...

Evidence below of a new stop-gap measure for the Tribe...


Well done, Raburn...
And don't think that Matt Tuiasosopo will ever live it down...

Or anything...

Jason Giambi Is Not Too Old To Crush A Walk Off Home Run. "...it was orgasmic."

Yes Jason Giambi is very much alive and still playing baseball in the Major Leagues at 42 years old.  Giambi wears the Cleveland Indian uniform and Tuesday night he burst back onto the front pages with a walk-off home run.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau Giambi became the oldest player to hit a walk off home run.

“There’s nothing more special in this game than to do that and help the ballclub win after they battled so well,” Giambi said. “It’s incredible just to contribute.”

Indian outfielder Nick Swisher was a little more graphic.

“It was electric, man,” Swisher said. “It was orgasmic, that’s what it was.”

Enough said.

Hey, Those Headsets Cost Money, Y'Know...

((HT: FS Ohio/MLB))

As is the Fox Network way over the last few years, they try to have instances during the game where an in-game interview yields some kind of tremendous insight...

During the Indians game Monday night, Justin Masterson (who wasn't pitching that night) was the interviewee...
And his teammates tried to unsettle him during the whole thing...


The HQ gives Masterson credit for his unflappable behavior- he may have a future in television before it's all said and done...

Cleveland Indians Fan Catches "4" Foul Balls During Game

Cleveland Indian Fan Greg Niel

What are the odds of catching a foul ball when you attend a MLB game?  Think about it, it's pretty rare that you leave with a free souvenir.

Then you have Cleveland Indian season ticket holder Greg Niel who caught four foul balls Sunday during the Indians/Royals game.

Here's Niel catching foul ball number four.

Yes he did throw it away.  I guess after catching three why be greedy.

OSG High: 2 Georgia Kids Drafted In The Top 10

((HT: MyFoxAtlanta))

The worst kept secret of the 2013 MLB Draft, other than there actually being a draft, was the story that two kids that grew up playing against each other got drafted in the Top 10.

Clint Frazier and Austin Meadows played at Loganville (GA) High and Grayson (GA) High, respectively.

The one game the two schools played against each other this season (since the schools aren't in the same classification) turned into a traffic nightmare and a standing room only crowd that included guys like Cubs GM Theo Epstein.

Here's the recap on the drafts and the parties from FOSG Cody Chaffins...
Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

Mark Appel, the hometown kid for the Houston Astros, went first overall from Stanford University.
Don't be surprised if he's up at the parent club very soon- since they need all the help they can get.

Tribe's Perez Under Investigation For Pot Package...??? (FRIDAY UPDATE: Perez's Turn Themselves In)

((HT: WJW-TV))

Cleveland Indians’ relief-pitcher Chris Perez is under investigation and might be in trouble with suburban police for a drug incident. Police were tracking a package going to a home that Perez currently rents.

The package was to be thought to contain a "controlled substance"- supposedly marijuana...

Multiple agencies are involved in the investigation: a suburban Cleveland narcotics unit, the U.S. Postal investigative services and local police.

At a news conference called this afternoon, the Rocky River (OH) police said it was not known for whom the package in question was intended or who ordered it.

Here's their presser with Police Chief Kelly Stillman...


The Indians released your standard statement:

“Earlier this morning we were made aware of a situation involving RHP Chris Perez that occurred yesterday in Rocky River,” said Cleveland Indians GM Chris Antonetti. “We have talked with Chris and are currently in the process of gathering additional information. We will not have any additional comment at this time.”

No charges have been filed at present. But any charges that might come from the search of the home will follow lab tests that would identify the substance in the package.

FRIDAY UPDATE: The Perez's, Chris and his wife Melanie, turned themselves in to local police...



Police say the Perez's turned themselves in after they were both served with complaints for misdemeanor possession, and they were released on personal bond. Arraignment is scheduled for June 19th...

The marijuana in the investigated package had a reported weight (according to WJW-TV) of 163.9 grams, through contact with Rocky River (OH) police.

Here are the details on the package itself...

It turns out that the package was addressed to the family dog...and the Indians are, naturally, disappointed...

"Clearly, we take these matters seriously and are disappointed whenever there is any negative attention brought to the Indians organization or one of our players. We understand and respect that there is an ongoing legal process that we will allow to evolve."

A Defiant Tony Randazzo Gets A Call Wrong...

((HT: FSOhio/MLB))

Tony Randazzo is known for being big on the bravado...

Last night was no exception...
First, just watch the screw-up...


Here's how social mediaites went off on the play...
((HT: Storify.com/Cleveland Plain Dealer))


From Paul Hoynes story in the Plain Dealer:

"We're down one, facing the best closer in the history of the game," said Indians manager Terry Francona. "He doesn't need any help. You can get emotional sometimes and I just thought at that point Tony should have kept walking or either apologized to Mike, but everybody makes mistakes ..."

No early word on whether the offices in New York City will have either Randazzo's back or Francona's...

The Bourn Conundrum: Cabrera Gets HR With Help

((HT: FS Detroit/MLB))

The first thing that comes to the HQ's mind is this...


But Miguel Cabrera hit a blast in Cleveland last night and it turned into a home run...
With some help...


What is it about Cleveland and fly balls turning into home runs, anyway...???

Umps Can't Even Get It Right WITH Replay, A's Lose (VIDEO)

((HT: CSN California/MLB))

Let's face it...

The Oakland A's lost a game today because the umps fouled it up...
Evidence below involving Adam Rosales, replay, and a huge #umpfail
Justin Masterson got the win, Chris Perez collected his fifth save on the season...
Oakland is now 6-13 in their last 19 games...

And the fact it was Angel Hernandez makes it that much better...
Or worse...

Uh oh...Indians Chris Perez vs. A's fan on Video (NSFW)

((ht: larrybrownsports.com))

Wow! 

Let's just say before we get into this story, we aren't defending either side in this one, because they were both wrong.

Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez had a rather NSFW "discussion" with an Oakland A's fan who, according to our friends at Larry Brown Sports, had been harassing him for years.

This time, the fan went to find Perez again, and brought a friend, with a cellphone camera which just reeks of "Set-Up". But...that being said, Perez should never have walked over and confronted the guy, especially if he'd seen someone standing there with a camera recording it.

Check out the whole story from Larry Brown Sports RIGHT HERE

Wow!

There is really not much to say here. Like we said earlier, it's hard to believe the A's fan is such a DOUCHE that he felt compelled to entrap Perez. It's even harder to believe Perez fell into his trap. And while it might have been Karma if Perez kicked the crap out of the dumb-ass fan, unfortunately, you can't do that.

What do you do here? Can you stop fans from being incredible DICKS? How many times can you tell players ignore the fans?

Since the video kinda speaks for itself, check it out:

ICYMI: Ump Greg Gibson takes cleat to face

Yikes!

It hasn't been a good last couple of months form Major League Baseball umpire Greg Gibson.

In July, Gibson gained a measure of fame by receiving a Stephen Strasburg fastball to the "Nuts". Yes, the catcher missed it.

Now he's been cleated.

During Wednesday nights L.A Angels vs. Cleveland Indians game, Gibson was involved in a close play at the plate. The Angels' Tori Hunter was trying to score on a long base hit off the right field wall. Hunter hesitates, but then tries to score from third. The relay goes to catcher Carlos Santana who tries to tag a sliding Hunter. Hunter bellyflops and kicks his feet to the side.

That's where they meet Gibson's face.

Yes, he had to leave the game with a laceration. He'll be okay, just sore. And rapidly gaining status as an internet bloggers favorite.

Here's your video.

Thanks MLB.com:

Derek Lowe vs. Dusty Baker: Will anyone notice this "War of Words?"

Dusty Baker

((ht: cincinnati.com))

This only got our attention because our Cincinnati friends are talking about it. And really, after doing some research on the subject...we aren't exactly sure what prompted it.

The "It" we are talking about is the dueling quotes in the Cincinnati and Cleveland newspapers over some perceived grudge/death battle between Cleveland pitcher Derek Lowe and Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker.

Derrick Lowe

"It"...according to Lowe, dates back to his days with the Dodgers. There is no reference to any "Specific" incident but Lowe says Baker has been telling his pitchers to throw at him (Lowe) "For Years".

The reason for Lowe's perceived anger: Cincinnati pitcher Mat Latos threw a fastball "High and Tight" to Lowe when he came to bat in the 5th inning of Wednesday's game. Lowe retaliated by hitting Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips in the back the next inning.

For his part, Baker doesn't deny telling Latos to "Make him uncomfortable", but denies ordering Lowe to be hit.

After the game Baker continued to rant on about Lowe. Again, he never actually said what the "It" was at the heart of the perceived dispute, only that it exists. He went on to say some not-so-nice things about Lowe and his previous problems with alcohol.

Lowe, for his part didn't get that personal, though he went on vaguely, at length about the bad blood between he and Baker.

You can read his interview with Cleveland/MLB.com RIGHT HERE

Baker's angry rant is from Cincinnati.com RIGHT HERE

We aren't exactly sure if there is a side to choose here because nobody other than the two people at the heart of it know exactly what the heck is going on. It is deemed worthy of a mention here mostly because it is kind of funny.

Heck, maybe there is some sort of feud that dates back several years and somebody wronged the other, but until one of them fesses up, we laugh at both of them. We laugh at them for being completely childish and we laugh at them for getting our attention by saying lots of angry nothing to their local reporters.

Much like this classic Stone Cold Steve Austin promo, we say to this---"What?"

Jimenez Gets 5 For Hitting Tulo

((HT: wiggzdotcom))

Cleveland Indians starter Ubaldo Jimenez says the pitch got away from him...
Colorado Rockies stud Troy Tulowitzki says Jimenez needs to get over getting traded when he wasn't given a contract extension...

So, when the two of them met in Spring Training...
Here's what happened...


Jimenez got a five game suspension for the act he said was an accident... even after he called Tulo out after charging home plate. Jimenez even said he wasn't going to apologize...

Ro-Flo has the full screens...
((HT: ESPN/MLB))