Friday, April 25, 2008

Get On That Double Dutch Bus

How about the Local Nine taking a pair at the K huh? Tribe sweeps a twin-bill from the all-of-the-sudden-lowly Royals 9-6 and 2-0. In the nightcap, Cliff Lee dominated yet again. What is going on with the lanky lefty? This dude is flat out unhittable as he throws a complete game picasso. Lee is 4-0 with a 0.28 ERA and is just attacking hitters. Toss in a career best 9 K's and excellent composure and the Tribe is finding a guy that really is a huge lift to this still below 500 but rising ballclub. This doesn't look like the same Cliff Lee who last season nearly took off Sammy Sosa's head and screamed down his catcher Vic Martinez all in one night (DCB was there btw) does it? Brian Bannister of the Royals on Lee: "That guy's got Nintendo numbers," Bannister said. "I'm not being sarcastic ... that guy is the hottest pitcher on the planet."

The big blow in Game 2, Dave Dellucci's solo hot n' ready off of Bannister in the 7th. Big Dave crushed the first pitch he saw and AC added some state farm insurance with a 2 out ribbie double. 5th time in the last 6 doubleheaders that the Tribe has swept.

Game 1 was all about taking that weak Brett Tomko to school. Grady Sizemore showed up big with a 4 hit day including 2 RBI and a home run. Fausto Carmona went five to snag his 3rd win and clearly labored at times, but he is allowed. Best bullpen performance of the day goes to Masa Kobayashi who spins 1 and a third quality innings for an all-important "Hold". Better news is now I will not have to watch or listen to that boring Ryan Lefebvre for a while. Gotta give props to Benny Francisco for his 2-5, 2 RBI game as well in his first start. How can you send this kid down?

This was a much needed sweep. Tribe now has some confidence heading home to face the dreaded Yankees, who always seem to pound on the Wahoos in the regular season.

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