Return of the Sinker

Jake Westbrook was dealin' last night, retiring 23 of 24 hitters in one stretch after getting touched up for a single run in the first inning, and the Indians scored just enough runs to beat the White Sox 2-1. Westbrook went 8 solid innings, giving up 2 hits and striking out 5.

Grady Sizemore had the big hit for the Tribe, a two-out, two-run single in the 5th.

Joe Borowski survived another tough save opportunity, generating 5 outs but only getting credit for 3. A leadoff strikeout pitch to Jerry Owens was muffed by Victor Martinez, allowing Owens to reach on a passed ball. After Owens was sacrificed to center, JoeBo got Thome to fly out to right, with Owens advancing to third. Konerko then popped a catchable foul ball that was inexplicably allowed to drop between Garko and Martinez, as apparently neither one called it. Konerko then walked, and then Punkzynski graciously obliged the Tribe by hitting a soft line drive at Josh Barfield to end the game.

John Danks, another pitcher having a generally mediocre season, stifled the Indians with no hits through 5 until a single by Peralto and a double by Michaels set the stage for Sizemore's winning looping liner to left. Danks gave up 4 hits in 6 innings and struck out 8, as the Tribe had difficulty laying off his high fastball.

Pronk was 2 for 4, including a gift double that occurred when Jermaine Dye allowed a line drive single to get to the wall without cutting it off.

In other news, uberprospect Asdrubal Cabrera has been brought up to The Show. It's believed he will spell Barfield a couple times a week and Peralta and Blake a couple times a month, essentially getting a taste of the majors as a utility infielder. He can't be any worse than Rouse at the plate (Rouse was batting .119) and those who know about these things rave about his fielding. Most likely, he will get his first action tonight or tomorrow agains the Sox.

And, Russ Branyan is back, signed to a minor league deal by the Tribe and assigned to Buffalo. I suspect that Russ will be providing air conditioning and an occasional mighty clout spelling Blake at 3b in September during the stretch drive.

Mojo Watch

Cleveland Indians:

This team is finding a way to win now despite their offensive woes.

Pronk:

Pronk is showing some signs of coming out of his funk.

Starting Pitching:

Full Elvisness. Every single pitcher seems to be clicking right now. If only the team were hitting like earlier in the season...

JoeBo:

JoeBo also gets the Full Elvisness. He's now 31 of 34 in save chances, even when it takes 5 or 6 outs. The guy may not have the best stuff, or even look the part, but Joe Knows Closing.