Brew Crew gives Wahoo Blues x 3. Brewers sweep the Indians, win 9-8.

Cleveland Indians vs. Milwaukee Brewers - June 17, 2009

David Huff vs. Jeff Suppan

Progressive Field - Cleveland, Ohio

Well so much for my 7-2 homestand prediction. The Indians will have to win this game just to go over .500 at 5-4. Every time I say something positive the Indians give me two reasons to be negative. Carl Pavano is suddenly terrible, and the bullpen has been atrocious again. The offense is averaging 8.5 runs a game vs. the Brewers in the frist two games of the series and has won neither.

I’m not a huge fan of Eric Wedge or Mark Shapiro for that matter and I’ve been trying to give Wedge the benefit of the doubt lately. But one thing that is really starting to infuriate me is the lineup inconsistency. Even before all the injuries, it was almost a different lineup with guys in different positions every night.

I know the talent level right now is almost that of a team of utility men, but you can’t manage a team with that mindset. Sure a lot of teams platoon guys here and there and of course players need off days, but a different lineup every damn game? Right now that is my biggest criticism of Wedge. Guys need to have an idea of where they’re going to be playing and not have to wonder if they are even playing while driving to the ballpark. Baseball is a game of routines, both in the game itself, and mentally. I think that consistency is needed and is severely lacking on this team.

Here are some random thoughts and things that caught my script “I” today and during the game:

-So much for David Huff getting off to a good start as he allows a run in each of the first two innings and the Brewers take the early lead 2-0. He would also allow a run in the third as well.

-I applaud Rick Manning last night for his in-game interview with Mark Shapiro. Manning wasn’t afraid to question some of the things Shapiro was saying about still contending, still having not got hot yet, and not rebuilding. I don’t know why they even have the spin-master on every so often when he says the same thing every time. I personally cringe when I see him on tv.

-Rick and Matt said that Craig Counsell would have fit perfectly in Cleveland, imagine that? The ultimate grinder fitting in perfectly here.

-Trevor Crowe looks like he will have a good career…

In AAA.

-Tribe bats finally come to life producing three straight doubles in the bottom of the fourth (Martinez, Choo, Garko. Garko looked to have been out, but was called safe. Luis Valbuena then singles in Garko, game tied at 3.

-The Indians have to get more than five innings out of their starters if they’re even going to have a prayer at getting to .500, let alone contend for the division.

-Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun make a pretty lethal power duo, but I think the Phillies have the best in the league. You can mix and match Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Raul Ibanez.

-Leaving Joe Smith in for more than an inning is playing with fire and Bill Hall proved that homering off of Smith’s first pitch in the 7^th.

-Like myself, Rick Manning sounds irritated at the continued terrible performance by everyone in the bullpen, it’s downright pathetic anymore. Brewers tack on two more runs and lead 6-3 in the top of the 7^th.

-For the sake of not putting up too many zeroes tonight, Milwaukee scores again in the 8^th to lead 7-3. (Rinse and repeat in the 9^th, 8-4 Brewers after the Indians add a run in the 8^th)

-Amazingly the Indians tie the game in the 9^th inning, getting four runs, keyed by a bases loaded double by Ryan Garko, had he not overran second, he would have been the winning run in scoring position with one out. Oh well, they are the Indians, you can’t have it all! Free baseball for all who stayed tonight.

-My lookalike for the night: Luis Valbuena looks a little like Wayne Kirby.

Well after making a nice effort to tie the game the Indians once again cannot finish the game off (I’m going to copy and paste this for future use). With the help of an apparent mixed signal by Greg Aquino on Kelly Shoppach‘s pitch call, the Brewers score in the top of the 11^th to win the game 9-8. The Indians finished a nine game homestand with a thud by being swept by the Brewers. If that thud were a noise it would sound like the ball bouncing off Kelly Shoppach’s glove.