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We're good again! At least until we suck again. After a sweep of the Rangers this weekend, is Terry Francona's Tribe ready to make another late playoff push? The 56-55 Reds come to town to take on the 56-55 Indians in the all-important Ohio Cup. Only time will tell which team emerges victorious, and as a legitimate playoff contender. Or something. Here's what's going on around baseball while we wait:
Yesterday's game: Indians 4, Rangers 3
It took 12 innings, but Michael Brantley eventually broke out the b(r)oom stick to lead the Indians to a sweep of Texas.
Indians news & notes
Atchison embraces role as elder statesman | Indians.com - Scott Atchison is so old... but he proudly embraces that role. And after running down Elvis Andrus, he showed age is just a number.
Murphy hits homer for daughter's birthday | Ohio.com - David Murphy was angry with himself for doubling earlier in the game, so he wanted to make his 9th inning at bat special for his daughter's 7th birthday. By his own admission though, she'll probably only care about the actual presents.
McAllister officially optioned to AAA | Cleveland.com - Among other notes, Zack Meisel mentions that Zach McAllister has been officially optioned to AAA after his Friday DFA.
The WAR Room: Lindor adjusting well to AAA | Indians Baseball Insider - IBI has their occasiona post on WAR stats for hitters in the Indians farms system. Francisco Lindor and Erik Gonzalez are doing well at their new levels.
Klubot targets Ohio Cup (series preview) | Indians.com - The Tribe hosts the Reds as both teams try to get back into the playoff race. Who better to start things off for the Indians than Corey Kluber?
Indians should add to their statue collection | Did The Tribe Win Last Night? - Why stop at Jim Thome? Many other teams have an army of statues, and the Indians have no shortage of good candidates.
Tidbits from around MLB
Curt Flood and Marvin Miller: HoFers? | Fangraphs - Amidst the other Fangraphs Sunday notes, current and former MLB player reps talk about the impact Flood and Miller had on the game.
Cano keeping hope alive for Mariners | Sports on Earth - Just three games back of the second wild card spot and having recently acquired Austin Jackson in the blockbuster David Price trade, the Mariners look to their pricy offseason addition, Robinson Cano, to be the cornerstone of their playoff push.
Pirates' Walker loses bet, takes a dive | Fox Sports - Neil Walker bet his teammates that a Saturday homer landed in the pool at Chase Field. When replays showed it didn't, Walker had to take a swim in the pool before Sunday's game.
Fuld puts his body into it | Fox Sports - Sam Fuld helped out fellow A's deadline acquisition Jon Lester with a full-body throw to nail a runner at the plate.
Hamels tops list of likely post-deadline deals | CBS Sports - Jon Heyman discusses the players most likely to be claimed on waivers or traded now that the deadline has passed. Anyone up for some Bartolo Colon action?