Happy Offseason!
This week we turn to death metal for inspiration, appropriate as our season appears to have been put to rest. The featured album is the 2005 sophisticated headbanger, Ghost Reveries.
Game 149 – Astros 3, Indians 1
“I hear the baying of the hounds
In the distance, I hear them devouring
Pest ridden jackals of the earth
Diabolical beasts and roaming the forests
In wait and constant protectors
Calling you to sit by his side
Your self loathing image in his flesh
A revelation upon which you linger.”
- “The Baying of the Hounds” From Opeth’s “Ghost Reveries” (2005)
Lest there be a question still
As to if we’ll climb the hill
Of the playoff scene this year
All’s been answered, have no fear
Limping down to Minute Maid
Having watched our hopes all fade
Old pal Zack Mack pitched quite well
But our offense was just hell
Really? That’s all you can muster?
Decimated like old Custer
Just Santana’s early hit
Looks like we’ve already quit.
Featured album this week is 1976's Hotel California by The Eagles
Games 146 through 148 – Tigers 7/5/6, Indians 2/4/4
“You can check-out anytime you like….”
- from Hotel California by The Eagles (1976)
Season on the line for sure
Losses we cannot endure
‘Specially ‘gainst foes like these
In-division games are keys
And Carrasco’s been on fire
Hope the Tigers he’ll retire
Ryan Rayburn hit one out
Still nowhere near last year’s clout
Then, Martinezes took aim
And would turn around the game
Meanwhile, David Price commanded
And our asses we were handed
More the same on Sat’day night
Played out like a see-saw fight
Still we led until the end
When Avila’s shot would send
Our hopes out the window here
Would unfold like our worst fear
Bryan Shaw the one who tossed
That ball which brought such great cost
One last gasp, the Sunday game
Would we fight back, or stay lame?
Bauer solid, and we led
But soon we were in the red
CC Lee, an errant toss
Tried to walk a guy; not boss
Then once more they took Shaw deep
End of season – not a leap.
Game 145 – Indians 2, Twins 0
“Who will provide the grand design?
What is yours and what is mine?”
- “The Last Resort” from Hotel California by The Eagles (1976)
House was even more in charge
Than our Klubs, who’s often large
He’d put Minny in their place
To keep hopes up in the race
While Santana drove in two
All we’d score when it ‘twas through
Monster day for his big bat
Hope it doesn’t end at that
Sweep the series, what we needed
This, though, would be second-seeded
Two of three, and we proceed
Sweep ‘gainst Tigers? What we need.
Game 144 – Indians 8, Twins 2
“Eager for action and hot for the game
The coming attraction, the drop of a name”
- “Life in the Fast Lane” from Hotel California by The Eagles (1976)
Cleveland knew it had done wrong
Since it is not very long
‘Til the end of this campaign
And Twins rained on their parade
Could not happen any more
Then. ‘gainst Kluber, they would score
In the first and things got tense
But then Carlos cleared the fence
Two to one, we led in two
Not long after, it was through
Bats exploded; Kluber cruised
Made us once more feel enthused
Second game awaits post haste
Still, we can’t afford to waste
Any games at this late date
Nice that we don’t have to wait.
Game 143 – Twins 4, Indians 3
“There's talk on the street; it sounds so familiar
Great expectations, everybody's watching you.” – New Kid in Town from Hotel California by The Eagles (1976)
Trevor versus Trevor here
One has promise, other fear
Bauer’s highly-touted arm
Didn’t come from Cleveland’s farm
Rather from a D-Backs trade
‘Twas one of the better made
Bauer, though, must earn his keep
Or back down he’ll have to leap
Early innings often rough
For him, whose speed’s not enough
This day, though, ‘twas inning four
Only time the Twins would score
Or hit safely, through eight frames
So he had one of those games
For our part, we’re short on runs
Not much action from our guns
Scratched out two, late added one
Not enough to get it done
Lost a big one ‘gainst a team
That’s surrendered, it would seem.
Game 142 – Angels 12, Indians 3
“Well baby, there you stand
With your little head, down in your hand
Oh, my God, you can't believe it's happening again”
- “Wasted Time” from Hotel California by The Eagles (1976)
Angels dropped in for just one
By the fifth, the game was done
Solid ‘til then, Salazar
But, that inning, he fell far
Jared Weaver did his thing
Early, Fat Lady would sing
No one but our Chisenhall
Could break through that Weaver wall
Four HR’s would seal our fate
Angels epic at the plate
Games like this we can’t afford
Chasing teams, we’re flat-out
This week’s lyrics come from the namesake of the Windy City, with whose White Sox we tangle this coming weekend – specifically, 1970s “Chicago II”
WEEKEND WAHOO - Games 139 through 141 – Indians 2/3/2, White Sox 1/1/0
House, a solid Friday start
On the mound, would do his part
Runs for both were very few
Innings passed and goose eggs grew
Righty bats faced their left-hander
But he was a pitch commander
Little done from left or right
Into extras, we would fight
Gomes, a triple in frame ten
Hustled like a man of men
Walks and strategy ensued
From the bench, then, Murph was wooed
Would deliver this night’s winner
Time on DL made him thinner
So, a single, nothing more
‘Twas all we’d need for to score
Walk-off win in this first game
Such light hitting, though, was lame
Second match had few runs too
In this one, CK came through
Kluber, on a three-game skid
Of that karma, he’d be rid
Struck out eight and walked not one
Would return as our Big Gun
Big hits – Carlos and Jose
And then Brantley’d put away
White Sox and their hopes they might
Win this series, or this night
Zero runs that final game
White Sox hitting finished lame
Carlos C was in control
As a sweep the Indians stole
Just two runs was all it took
For the Sox to get the hook
Sent off packing, two runs scored
Playing them we’re never bored.
Game 138 – Tigers 11, Indians 4
“Where do we go
Where do we go
Where do we go from here?”
- “Where Do We Go From Here” from Chicago II by Chicago (1970)
Ripped to shreds in inning one
Bauer totally undone
Four hits, four walks, four runs scored
Plus a wild pitch – o good Lord!
Bleeding stopped but damage done
Figured Tigers had this won
Cleveland, though, would battle back
Scherzer looked like just some hack
Gomes and Brantley, even Chis
Slowly would take care of biz
Scored was tied once we played nine
Went to extras, game on line
Tomlin, just back from his kid
Quickly went into a skid
Bags-juiced single was the start
Then a blast from pal V-Mart
And as if that weren’t enough
Next Tribe pitcher’s treated rough
Dude named Price; I’m not accustomed
For a two-run shot they’d bust’em
So, down seven, one last chance
Tribe was meek, like in a trance
Blew this crucial game and now
Three of four lost, out we bow.
Game 137 – Indians 7, Tigers 0
“Although our task is never done
You know we know it
You ought to know it's just begun
You know we know it”
- “Movin’ In” from Chicago II by Chicago (1970)
Pitching matchup worth a study
Salazar against our buddy
Justin V, that pin-up boy
Running ‘round with his girl toy
Kate Upton has brought him fame
But he’s suffered with his game
And as fans made him remember
Online he’s revealed his member
Striking, too, the contrast here
In what athletes hold most dear
Salaries are far apart
JV’s? Near a mill per start
Twenty-plus how it pans out
Heavy cost for one we rout
While young Salazar’s is just half
Forty times less – what a laugh
Yes this night the worth was clear
Danny would pitch without fear
While we whipped that former ace
Balls were flying o’er the place
Six Tribe players drove in runs
Limited not to big guns
Knockout blow Ramirez dealt
Once more Tribe’s wrath JV felt
Meanwhile, Motown’s big sticks wilted
Previous momentum stilted
Both Martinezes did squat
Victor one hit; JD not
Complete game for Salazar
By far this night’s one true star
Bauer, next, will try to win
Hope to make Detroit’s lead thin.
Game 136 – Tigers 4, Indians 2
“The world's a funny place you know
Most of what goes on
Is rarely funny
Rarely funny.”
- “Poem For The People” from Chicago II by Chicago (1970)
Fair is foul and foul is fair
Seems to be a pattern there
With our starting pitching staff
As to who’s hot, who’s riff raff
For the longest Kluber was
Like King Midas’ baseball cuz
Pitching gems he’d spin with ease
Doing anything he’d please
Lately, though, the tables turned
Last three outings, Klubs was burned
While his younger bros in arms
Suddenly were full of charms
Having faltered earlier
Their shortcomings we’d endure
Now consistent, this quartet
‘Bout as much as four could get
Carlos, TJ, Dan and Bauer
Rarely would get sent to shower
During this amazing run
Without having had some fun
Setting batters down in order
Seemed they all would give no quarter
Carlos C the same last night
Once more started showing fight
Tigers hacked at every pitch
Some successes but one glitch
Ten would strike out ‘gainst our man
All according to his plan
Other Carlos would help too
Bashed one out to score a few
Would hold up ‘til inning nine
Seemed that this would end just fine
But a win CC would miss
As our lead goodbye we’d kiss
When another young stud thrower
Had success that was much lower
Cody Allen was destroyed
When a homerun ball was buoyed
By Martinez, but not Victor
This blast registered on Richter
All at once, the game was lost
From that one pitch Cody tossed
We turn now to one more baby
Salazar will rock; well, maybe.
Game 135 - Tigers 12, Indians 1
“Wondering how much I can take
Should I try to do some more?
25 or 6 to 4
Feeling like I ought to sleep
Spinning room is sinking deep”
- “25 or 6 to 4” from Chicago II by Chicago (1970)
Kluber didn’t party down
Stay out late and paint the town
While his team the Royals played
And some crucial steps were made
Two wins in the books and more
Might be added when the score
Of the last game goes official
For our chances, beneficial
No, our Kluber would behave
For his next start he would save
All his energy and strength
So he’ll pitch a full game’s length
But his sudden woes remained
And no ground here would be gained
Tigers hitters battered him
Seemed to hit at every whim
Victor and Cabrera, twice
Would make Kluber pay the price
With homeruns our ace they’d thrash
Yet one more time he would crash
Hard to tell why this occurred
Bad games in a row, his third
Least the young arms now are dealing
But without Klubs we’ll be reeling.
This week’s featured album is from the native from Kansas City, the city that hosts us this coming weekend, Burt Bacharach. The 1967 gem Reach Out.
Weekend Wahoo - Games 133 and 134 - Indians 6/3, Royals 1/2
"The windows of the world are covered with rain,
There must be something we can do.
Ev'rybody knows whenever rain appears
It's really angel tears.
How long must they cry?
Let the sun shine through.”
- from “Windows of the World” by Burt Bacharach from the 1967 release "Reach Out"
On display, the Tribe's young arms
These two came from Cleveland's farms
Salazar and Trevor Bauer
Rookie pitchers start to flower
First night it was Salazar
Inconsistent here so far
Hit parade put us ahead
On this lead young Danny fed
Close to one of his best starts
Salazar was throwing darts
None would score ‘til inning nine
By then, six-zip, we were fine
Bauer, next, would do his part
After quite a shaky start
Umpire calls made many bark
Callaway thrown out the park
Bauer would walk Royals five
Somehow, though, would stay alive
Shutout baseball ‘til frame six
Then the ‘pen got in the mix
KC fin’ly scratched a run
In the eighth to tie at one
Into extra frames this went
Able pitchers were all spent
Tomlin flirted with disaster
But our offense acted faster
Brantley brought the lead run in
Carlos upped that margin thin
KC then would grab one back
Drama this game would not lack
Finally it reached an end
KC to a loss we’d send
Final of this three-game set
Would be tied as things got wet
Tribe went up as rain turned strong
One more game that’s very long
Was suspended; will resume
When our schedules both have room
Will complete near season’s end
Lots on this score may depend.
Game 131 - White Sox 3, Indians 2
“But it’s just a crazy game
When it ends, it ends in tears.”
- “A House is Not a Home” from Reach Out by Burt Bacharach (1967)
Kluber had been automatic
Winning ways for him were static
Lately though the road had bumps
And he’s taken several lumps
For another, they’re still great
But for Kluber, some debate
As to whether they could match
His starts, taken as a batch
This time, one Achilles heel
With the rest he’d mostly deal
But Abreu had him beat
Drove in one and then’d repeat
Made a difference in this game
When our hitting showed up lame
Our young hero, Walters faltered
As their loss streak White Sox altered
Bourn and Chis would each deliver
Too few arrows in our quiver
Hope tonight Carrasco wins
And another streak begins.
Game 130 – Indians 8, White Sox 6
“Let this be just the start
Of so many nights like this”
- “The Look of Love” from Reach Out by Burt Bacharach (1967)
House not welcomed in the house
Of the White Sox who would douse
Our lefthander with hit balls
Throwing him right o’er the falls
After we had come out strong
Three in first would not last long
By the fifth, we were behind
And to tie we had to grind
See-saw battle, through nine even
Soon, Chicago’s fans were leavin’
When our young homerun phenom
Would unload one more big bomb
That’s Zack Walters, who first tried
To bunt – failing, soon he skied
One quite deep into the stands
In the dugout, slapping hands
Bryan Shaw the vict’ry earned
Cody Allen might feel spurned
But his arm would just need rest
Kluber next up, Cleveland’s best.
WEEKEND WAHOO - Games 127 through 129 - Indians 1/3/3, Astros 5/2/1
"There comes a time
In every man's life
When he gets tired of foolin' around"
"Forever in my Life" from Sign O’ The Times by Prince (1987)
AL picked up Houston's team
Still in NL, it would seem
Hard to notice, with their losses
For so long, that team's bore crosses
Hoped their visit here would aid
Us to reach the fall parade
Known as playoffs, long-shot sure
But the dream for now'll endure
First night, Carlos C. would shine
Lately, he's been looking fine
Not convinced, we can't yet be
Maybe soon, though, we will see
Whether he can pitch for real
Even so, Lee's deal's a steal
One not lessened now he's hurt
Future gaffes can Cleveland skirt?
Back now to this Friday night
Carlos kept us in the fight
One run let in over six
Running, D, though - we'd not fix
Holt, Aviles, both erased
In the eighth, our hopes replaced
Rookie goof, a vet mistake
Turned our rally to a fake
Then in nine, the floodgates burst
Cody Allen would seem cursed
Carlos S., a throwing blunder
Perez too, we fell asunder
Must forget it right away
And remember how to play
Salazar, the next night solid
After that first game so squalid
Early on we scratched out two
Matched what they would also do
Lasted this way 'til the end
Would they to more frames this send?
Holt would seek redemption's grace
His mistake, tough to erase
Still it helped when he would single
And new hope with us would mingle
Men on second and on third
When the hero's call was heard
By Ramirez, whose base hit
Finally made this game quit
Series tied, now there's game three
In control's where we should be
On our mound was Trevor Bauer
Once again, would pitch with power
This time, though, results were better
Game grade for him's the first letter
Of his last name, much improved
As this youngster's skills behooved
Early, Chis, Santana too
Drove in runs to help him through
Then Ramirez added one
Three runs total when 'twas done
Was enough for us to win
Game and series, margins thin
And now Houston goes away
Next the White Sox we will play.
Game 126 – Twins 4, Indians 1
“Isn't it a shame this ain't a movie
Then U could rewrite my every line”
- “Strange Relationship” from Sign O’ The Times by Prince (1987)
13 wins for Klubs and Hughes
Pitchers who’ve both paid their dues
This year as they’ve led their staffs
Without them there’d be some laughs
‘Bout the chances of their teams
Playoffs only in their dreams
Though for Minny it’s still bleak
Still the Tribe a berth we seek
Klubs of late’s been automatic
This time, though, he hit some static
Walked some, which was rare indeed
Usually just strikes he feeds
Their man Vargas took him deep
Next, more benefits we’d reap
From the man for Stroobs we traded
Zach stroked, leaving us elated
Unlikely their hero next
Kluber really must be hexed
Trevor Plouffe, a two-run double
Been a while since Klubs’ known trouble
Hughes would, all game, keep control
As momentum Minny stole
Could have swept, now two of three
‘Stros in town should bring us glee.
Game 125 – Indians 5, Twins 0
“It’s gonna be a beautiful night
You got your world together
Everything’s lookin’ alright.”
- “It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Night” from Sign O’ The Times by Prince (1987)
Jumped all o’er the Minny starter
Hit him hard and then still harder
Mike Aviles, what a night
Caused Twins pitchers quite a fright
And Zach Walters would go deep
As the Twins would fail to creep
Close at all to Cleveland’s score
As our offense just scored more
Beating Minnesota’s great
L’s should always be their fate
When they play the Cleveland team
Sweep and we’ll complete the dream.