There is no point in searching for moral victories in Fausto Carmona's starts at this point; either Fausto is going to correct his control issues or he's going to be a pitcher sporting a 6+ ERA. It doesn't matter if some games he gets more groundballs or seems more composed or whatever. He has to stop walking people, period. After his abysmal start today, Carmona has a 35:33 K:BB ratio; in only three of his ten starts has Carmona struck out more than he's walked. No amount of double play balls is going to fix Fausto and, frankly, if this weren't a season in which the Indians had already lost three starters to the DL, a trip to Columbus might be in order (someone want to enlighten us on options status?).
By the time Fausto and Jensen Lewis had closed their books, the Indians were down 10-0 and the game was basically over. But, a funny thing happened on the way to the forum and the Indians had cut the margin to 10-4 by the bottom of the ninth; still unsurmountable but at least not a shutout. Then, well, then this:
Grady Sizemore walks. None out.
Victor Martinez pops out to third basemen Evan Longoria. One out.
Jhonny Peralta singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Carl Crawford. Grady Sizemore to 2nd. One out.
Shin-Soo Choo reaches on force attempt. Fielding error by shortstop Reid Brignac. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd. Shin-Soo Choo to 2nd.
Mark DeRosa lines out to third baseman Evan Longoria. Two out.
Ryan Garko homers on a line drive to left field. Jhonny Peralta scores. Shin-Soo Choo scores. Two out.
Asdrubal Cabrera walks. Two out.
Ben Francisco walks. Asdrubal Cabrera to 2nd. Two out.
Jamey Carroll walks. Asdrubal Cabrera to 3rd. Ben Francisco to 2nd. Two out.
Grady Sizemore walks. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Ben Francisco to 3rd. Jamey Carroll to 2nd. Two out.
Victor Martinez singles on a groundball to center fielder B.J. Upton. Ben Francisco scores. Jamey Carroll scores. Grady Sizemore to 2nd. Two out.
Indians 11, Rays 10. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you get Jeremy Sowers a major league win.
In all seriousness, a night after taking an extra-innings loss it was an emphatic response from an oft-maligned offense. The Indians offense is good, or at least significantly better than league average, and that's one bright spot in a dark season.
So, obviously, a very exciting win and one well worth re-watching on your DVR. I don't mean to undersell this incredible comeback but I can't help but wish that this could've happened on a day in which we were not sending two starters to the DL. I'd love to think of this as an important win in the context of the season, and if it is one I'll be thrilled, but future expectations shouldn't be shaped by some concept of an 'emotional turning point.' With Carmona's dismal performance and the transactions of the day, this Indians' pitching staff is no longer the one which we all envisioned being part of a playoff push and as the staff loses it's war of attrition against the rest of the league, Cleveland becomes a shell of it's projected self.
But, hey, baseball is supposed to be entertaining and this game was certainly that. At the very least, the Tribe was great today.
