Orlando Cabrera continues Tribe's dramatic ride through April

Orlando Cabrera (Photo: Malingering)

Cleveland continued to win in dramatic fashion, as Orlando Cabrera took a first pitch fastball deep into center to score Michael Brantley.  Brantley had led the inning off with a single to right field off of Brayan Villarreal, who had just entered the game.  Brantley moved to second when Villarreal questionably tried to pick him off at first.  With first base open, Asdrubal Cabrera sacrificed Brantley to third.  Shin-Soo Choo and Carlos Santana were then intentionally walked, bringing up Cabrera.

Cleveland had to come back from a two-run deficit when minor league sensation, and former first round pick Alex White gave up two 4th inning home runs to Miguel Cabrera and Ray Rayburn.  Cleveland would come back quickly though.  Carlos Santana belted a line drive home run in the bottom of the fourth, and Brantley would tie it with a home run of his own in the sixth.

White was solid in his first appearance, going six innings, giving up six hits, two runs and four walks (with two intentional), while striking out four.  As good as he was, the bullpen was better.  Joe Smith, Vinny Pestano, Chris Perez, Rafael Perez and Tony Sipp combined to give up only five hits with one walk and eight strike outs.

The Indians finished the month at 18-8, with the best record in baseball.  Boy, it sure is hard to say goodbye to April.

Orlando Hudson rumors persist

MLB.com's Bill Ladson really wants the world to believe that the Indians are going after Orlando Hudson. Ladson said that the Indians, Rockies and another AL team (not the Twins) were in play. Of course, utilizing quality journalism, he followed that post stating that Hudson "wants to sign with [the Nats] real bad." He then continued his idiocy with, "Orlando Hudson appears unwilling to play for the Nats at a discount, according to the source. We'll see."

The only downside to signing Hudson would be the roadblock it would put on Luis Valbuena's career as a starter. Still, Valbuena would then move into the utility role, and would solve one of several problems the Indians have entering the 2010 season. Still, if $3 million is what teams are talking about with regards, it would seem that the Indians would be out of the market. Still, that would be a relative bargain for a player who made the all-star team last season.

Ladson seems to be throwing out everything to see what sticks, so he's likely just an amplifier for Hudson, who's trying to build up some money. Still, it would make things at least a bit interesting, and would give fans some sort of mirage that the Indians might be trying to win.

Of course, you do have to ask, does Orlando Hudson pitch?