Cleveland Sports Forum

Perez blows !

Rather predictable performances by our two 2011-2012 All Stars lost this one for us. Before Perez let in the game winner in the 9th, Cabrera bounced into a double play with the bases loaded ending the eighth. Cabrera already has one hit this month. So why is it that he gets worse and worse as each season goes along: does he come into camp in bad shape? does he let himself get into bad shape during the season? does he lose interest? They are both making themselves nearly untradeable. I especially can't see anyone very interested in acquiring Cabrera. Perez is a jerk and might not a closer but could be a depth arm in someone's bullpen. Not sure what good Asdrubel is for any team.

The Indians tried to trade Perez last off season. There was not a lot of interest. Perez has been known as a clubhouse lawyer his entire career.

Cabrera gets fatter as the season goes on just like Peralta did.

Cabrera swung at a low outside ball in order to kill the 8th inning.

After we trade Cabrera will he turn it around like Jhonny did? Of course, Peralta had some artificial assistance.

And the Peraltra trade might be an omen of the value Cabrera will bring us. We got a minor league lefty of modest promise, Giovanny Soto, for Peralta. He made it up to AAA this year, as a reliever, and then hurt his arm and missed 90% of the season.

Cant trading Cabrera and Perez get us a 3B prospect in case Chisenhall continues to fail. That is what we really need.

JOEZ shows he has some baseball knowledge as Jose Ramirez gets a hit, puts pressure on the pitcher and scores from 1B on a grounder to third. He looked GOOOOOOD!!!

Tribe up 2-0

Proper play by KC and that would have turned out badly for us ... but, it didn't!

Good game from Ubaldo. But the pen is letting us down. Allen gave up a double followed by a homer. Can CP protect a one-run lead? He gives up a single and a walk to start the 9th...

These days it's rarely easy when CP is out there.

He loaded the bases, but didn't give up a run!

Well, it worked out!

...............

Ramirez connects in first MLB start vs. KC

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 9/9/2013 7:50 P.M. ET

CLEVELAND --

Indians manager Terry Francona has been looking for an opportune game to give infielder Jose Ramirez his first Major League start. Ramirez's time arrived on Monday night and Francona smiled at the thought of getting a closer look at the club's No. 13 prospect, according to MLB.com.

Ramirez was in the lineup as the third baseman and was slotted into the eighth spot against the Royals.

"It'll be fun to watch," Francona said. "This isn't going to define his career, and he's not going to be an everyday third baseman, but I wouldn't be surprised if he does something to help spark us."

Ramirez, 20, was added to Cleveland's roster as part of a large group of September callups, but he was the only player summoned from Double-A Akron. The Indians thought highly enough of Ramirez to bring him to the big leagues without first testing him at Triple-A.

Francona said part of the reasoning stemmed from the first impression Ramirez made in Spring Training, when he was called over to big league camp for a handful of games.

"Because of the way he handled himself in Spring Training when he came over," Francona said, "and how he handled himself when he went back to the Minor League side when we sent him back over, and then the tools to be a utility guy in September, he probably fit the role better than anybody.

"And I think when you talk to all the player development guys, they thought he could handle it. You can probably take the safe route, maybe get a veteran. But, I think we all thought this kid can do it."

In 113 games at Akron this season, Ramirez posted a .272/.325/.624 slash line to go along with three home runs, 16 doubles, six triples and 38 RBIs. Along the way, he also collected 38 stolen bases, scored 78 runs and walked (39) nearly as often as he struck out (41). In the field, Ramirez bounced between second base, shortstop and third for the Aeros.

"I've been wanting to get him in a game," Francona said. "If you look at the numbers, it's a nice solid year."

Ramirez wasted little time in connecting for his first Major League hit, sending a pitch from Kansas City's Ervin Santana into left-center field for a leadoff single in the third inning. The Royals tossed the ball back to Cleveland's dugout, giving Ramirez a memento from his first start in The Show.

"It'll be fun to watch," Francona said. "This isn't going to define his career, and he's not going to be an everyday third baseman, but I wouldn't be surprised if he does something to help spark us."

Francona has played a lot of "hunches" this year and has a remarkable record of "coming through". How prophetic was that last statement? I should have Francona pick my lottery numbers the rest of this season.

I believe Ramirez has played third base only a handful of times this season splitting time mostly between second and shortstop. He did collect an error this evening but let's face it, that was a very difficult play to make. A clean glove and bare hand exchange might have gotten the batter. In all, Ramirez had a nice major league debut.