Tribe 8 Reds 6

The Cleveland Indians got back on the winning track tonight with a big 8-6 win in Cincinnati over the Reds. Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. Jeremy Sowers once again had no command and got hit hard. I thought we were lucky to only be down 4-3 when he left the game. I must ask how many more times do we have to run him out there and see him get bombed. He really should be in Buffalo working on getting his confidence back. I know Westbrook is hurt but wouldn't giving Brian Slocum or Jason Stanford or even Rafael Perez a start or two be any worse than what Sowers has shown.


2. Maybe last night was an aberration but tonight the Reds showed what their bullpen is and it really blew up in their face. Great job all night by the Tribe of making the Reds pitchers work and it finally took its toll as the game progressed.


3. The Tribe hit better tonight but still left 17 runners on base. If we want to be a playoff team this has to improve. Great job tonight by Grady in leading off with a homer and getting two other hits and a walk and scoring twice.


4. I thought the bullpen was fantastic tonight. Rafael Perez was good again in long relief with only giving up one run. Betancourt was the solid reliever we have come to expect. Tom Mastny pitched like the Tom Mastny of April and early May. Finally, Joe Borowski gave us a 1-2-3 11th inning to close the Reds out.


5. I think tonight's win will be one when we make the playoffs we go back and think this might be one that really made a difference. Big props to Franklin Gutierrez for giving up his body and saving the win with a great catch in the 10th inning. I really think he is making a case to be the 5th outfielder on the club.

The Indians will finish up their three game series with Cincinnati tomorrow at the Great American Ballpark at 1:15 with CC Sabathia facing Aaron Harang.