Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Cliff Lee out-dueled by Indians-killer, Brian Bannister

Brian Bannister continued to own the Cleveland Indians as he led the Kansas City Royals to a 2-0 shutout victory over Cliff Lee and the Cleveland Indians.

Cliff Lee continued to look more like the Cy Young award winner from 2008, and did everything he could to win the game.  Lee leapfrogged Aaron Laffey's seven-inning performance last night by going eight innings of his own.  Lee's workhorse outing saw him throw 122 pitches, 85 of which were strikes.  He gave up nine hits, two runs, walked one, and struck out five in his best performance of 2009. 

Unfortunately for Lee, he faced off against Cy You...er...Brian Bannister, who seems to have made a career out of pitching well against the Indians.  As mentioned yesterday, Bannister was 3-1 career against the Indians, with a paltry 1.91 ERA, including an even better 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA in Cleveland.  Make that 3-0.  He actually improved upon that today in going six innings, giving up only four hits, two walks, and striking out one.  He really seems to have the Indians' number, and to think this kid was just called up the other day from AAA Omaha.  My guess is he's earned at least one more start.

Sons of Geronimo officially endorses Tony Sipp as its favorite player, and wasted opportunities, after the jump...


Tony Sipp made a sterling major league debut tonight, perhaps
mirroring what his future may hold by pitching a perfect ninth inning. 
His first batter was Mike Jacobs, who he promptly struck out. 
It was a positive outing for the young future star, and if I'm a
betting man, I'd say that it's the first step in his line to closer. 
Tony Sipp is the real deal.  You may have not heard it here first,
since I first started clamoring for this kid when I wrote over at Tribe
Report, but I'll certainly be the loudest.  This kid is going to be a
good one...count on it.



The Indians had a chance to win this game in the ninth.  A
walk by Jhonny Peralta, and a single by Shin-Soo Choo put runners on
first and second with one out.  Kelly Shoppach ripped a first-pitch to
left field in which David Dejesus caught while stumbling around like a
drunk.  Both runners would advance on a wild pitch, but Trevor Crowe
struck out looking to end the game.  Too bad for Lee, Sipp and the
Indians, who could have used this win as a stepping stone.

Gil Meche goes up against Anthony Reyes tomorrow.  The "Will Reyes blow out his arm" watch will continue.  

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