Cleveland Sports Forum

Fausto out for the 7th. Still scoreless.

............................................SWEEP!!!

Now that was just fun! I think Joez commented earlier that Acta was making a lot of great moves, and the bottom of the eighth certainly highlighted that. Everetts heads up play in the top of the ninth was something that will make you forget forever Marte and Nix.

As Martin would say, "Winning"! feels good.

CLEVELAND -- The winless Boston Red Sox lost their sixth in a row when the Cleveland Indians squeezed home the only run in the eighth inning and then trapped pinch-runner Darnell McDonald off second base for the final out Thursday in a 1-0 victory.

The Red Sox are off their worst start since 1945, when they lost a team-record eight straight. Boston, favored by many to win the World Series, returns to Fenway Park for its home opener Friday against the Yankees.

Asdrubal Cabrera's suicide-squeeze bunt put the Indians ahead in their fourth straight victory.

David Ortiz drew a two-out walk in the ninth and McDonald ran for him. J.D. Drew bounced a single off pitcher Chris Perez that caromed to third baseman Adam Everett. McDonald rounded second, fell and was caught.

Yesterday was the first time we were above 500 since 2008. We are now guaranteed at least 3 days in positive territory in 2011.

Good pitching, good defense, good managing, good situational play.

Was surprised that no one remembered or posted that Fausto is better in day games. I thought he would do better today. And Manny Acta ro9cks!

I believe the opener was a day game, too. But Fausto hates pressure and there was none of that today.

Long form of AP's game story:

Indians squeeze past 0-6 Red Sox


CLEVELAND -- The winless Boston Red Sox lost their sixth in a row when the Cleveland Indians squeezed home the only run in the eighth inning, then trapped pinch-runner Darnell McDonald off second base for the final out Thursday in a 1-0 victory.

The Red Sox are off their worst start since 1945, when they lost a team-record eight straight. Boston, favored by many to win the World Series, returns to Fenway Park for its home opener Friday against the New York Yankees.

Asdrubal Cabrera's suicide-squeeze bunt put the Indians ahead in their fourth straight victory.

David Ortiz drew a two-out walk in the Boston ninth and McDonald ran for him. J.D. Drew bounced a single that ricocheted off pitcher Chris Perez and went to third baseman Adam Everett.

McDonald rounded second base too far, fell down and tried to scramble back to the bag. Everett, who had come in to field the carom, made a snap throw to second baseman Orlando Cabrera that nailed McDonald.

Cleveland swept the three-game series, which came after Texas swept the Red Sox to open the year.

Starting pitchers Fausto Carmona of the Indians and Jon Lester each bounced back from rocky outings on opening day to pitch seven shutout innings.

Lester gave up three hits, walked three and struck out nine. He allowed five runs, including a career-high three homers, in 5 1/3 innings against Texas.

Carmona held Boston to two singles. The right-hander struck out four and walked two. Carmona allowed 10 runs on 11 hits in three innings against Chicago last week.

Everett drew a walk from Daniel Bard (0-2) to start the eighth. Everett stole second and took on Orlando Cabrera's sacrifice bunt. On a 2-1 count, Asdrubal Cabrera bunted down the third-base line, scoring Everett.

Rafael Perez (2-0) retired two batters in the eighth. Chris Perez pitched the ninth for his second save.

The Red Sox, who have been outscored 38-16 this season, managed only four hits against four Cleveland pitchers. The Indians won with just three hits.

This is the third time the Red Sox have started out 0-6 -- it also happened in 1927 and 1905.

Game notes
The Red Sox play their next 10 games at home. Boston plays three games against the Yankees, three against Tampa Bay and four against Toronto. ... OF Michael Brantley and DH Travis Hafner weren't in Cleveland's lineup. Travis Buck started in center field while Shelley Duncan was the DH, his first start of the season.

gaylord perry wrote:Was surprised that no one remembered or posted that Fausto is better in day games. I thought he would do better today. And Manny Acta ro9cks!

You should have told DONNA that! She benched him in her fantasy league.

Did Wedge EVER call a squeeze play, of any sort?

I'm waiting for some more video or commentary about the game-ending play. From what I've seen so far you can't tell whether the runner was out or not. It could have been extreeeemly close.

When is the last time the Indians were 2 games over 500 in April? When is the last time the Indians won 4 in a row in April?

We were 2-0 in 2008. We won 4 in a row April 15-18, 2010, and April 22-26, 2008.

Also I find we were 2-1 last year which conflicts with where I read we were over 500 yesterday for the first time since end of 08. Perhaps I misread the 2010 results.

No homer for Asdrubal, only a triple, in the 1st inning. He scores on Choo's sac fly. Asdrubal is slugging 652. 1-0 in the 3rd.

3 innings 38 pitches for Carrasco, 1 hit, 1 walk 3 K. Just avoid the big inning, please, and he'll be ok.