Indians Lose More Than Just Game

Two Relievers Go Down in Baltimore  

When Ronnie Belliard’s lazy pop fly found grass in the fifth inning, it looked like another route was on.  Travis Hafner plated the third run of the inning to give Jake Westbrook what seemed to be  a commanding 7-3 lead.   

A route was in fact in order, but it was the O’s doing the routing.  Westbrook enjoyed his lead for exactly 2/3’s of an inning as Baltimore hitters sprayed hard hit balls all over Camden Yards.  Eric Wedge, maybe with a c-note on Westbrook for the win, tried to get his starter through 5 innings.  Despite having nothing left, the skipper let Westbrook serve up two-out doubles to Javy Lopez and Kevin Millar before finally giving his starter the hook.  Baltimore would end up with 18 runs on 21 hits in an 18-9 pounding of the Tribe. 

While Oriole hitters got their revenge from Tuesday night’s Indian explosion, the news got worse later in the ballgame.  Both Matt Miller (arm) and Rafael Betancourt (back) had to leave the game with injuries, devastating a bullpen already without Fernando Cabrera (and WITH Danny Graves).  Perhaps the lone bright spot was the effectiveness of Jason Davis.  He through a solid inning before being pulled to rest up for what undoubtedly will be an increased role. 

Jhonny Peralta, Victor Martinez, and Aaron Boone all homered for the Tribe, but even a 14-hit effort could not give this one respectability.  The rubber game is today at 3 pm, and the Indians should have their hands full.  Erik Bedard is off to a 3-0 start, and yes, is another lefty.  Cleveland will counter with Fausto Carmona, who will try to duplicate his impressive debut last week.