Tribe 10 Phillies 1

The Cleveland Indians opened up their three game series with a win tonight at Jacobs Field. Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. Cliff Lee had another good start tonight. I still don't think he is pitching at the level he has in the previous three years. He didn't have command of his cut fastball tonight again but got the Phillies hitters to swing and miss at some of his pitches and then on the other pitches which they hit hard he seemed to get them to be hit right at his fielders.


2. The offense was good again for a second straight day. The Tribe seemed to have a very good approach at the plate against Cole Hamels who is going to be an NL All-Star. The approach seemed to be to take Hamels pitches especially the changeup to the opposite field. I think hitting coach Derek Shelton deserves some of the credit for coming up with a good game plan against an excellent starting pitcher.


3. Of the three games in this series I thought tonight's game would be the most difficult to win since we have favorable pitching matchups in the remaining two games.


4. It was great to see Brady Quinn and Joe Thomas throwing out the first pitches tonight. I love how the other sports teams in town have rolled out the red carpet for the both of them and have really made them feel welcome in town.


5. The win was big tonight in keeping pace with the Tigers as they held off Washington.

The Tribe returns to the Jake tommorrow at 7:05 as Jason Stanford faces Kyle Kendrick.