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Last night's game: Cleveland 7, Kansas City 1
Tomlin stellar again as the Cleveland Indians erupt against the Royals - Let's Go Tribe
Last time out was apparently just a blip on the radar for Tomlin, as we was back to his old accurate self. For the first six innings he pitched with no margin for error, and then his teammates broke the game wide open with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. This time it was the home run that drove the offensive outburst, both from expected (Napoli) and unexpected (Naquin) sources. And Francisco Lindor capped the game both on offense (he hit a two-run homer in the seventh) and defense:
I love plays like these because they combine both the physical and the mental. Obviously the two players had contemplated a play like this, otherwise Ramirez wouldn't have even been in position to make the throw.
It was also pretty cool that seven of the ten starters last night were homegrown players (including Chris Gimenez). In past years much of the Indians' success came because of very astute trades, but now they're getting a major part of their production from players they drafted or signed.
Tribe News
Indians Joba Chamberlain ready to come off DL | indians.com
It very much looks like Chamberlain will be activated before Monday's game in Seattle. Austin Adams is the lone pitcher in the bullpen with options (well, Cody Allen has one as well, but I don't count him), so I'd expect him to make the familiar trip down I-71 on Sunday evening.
As expected, that amazing play was hatched in the minds of Lindor and Ramirez beforehand.
Pluto examines what the Indians are losing with Marlon Byrd's suspension, both on and off the field. The Indians have made it work in the outfield despite suspensions and injuries, amazingly enough. Michael Brantley is (hopefully) a few weeks away from returning, and Abraham Almonte can return on July 1.
Indians Notes: Tyler Naquin back in big leagues to stay? - Chronicle-Telegram
I don't know if he'll stay on the roster the rest of the season, but I think it's safe to say that Naquin will be on the club through at least the rest of June.
Bode Plots: Loving on Lonnie - Waiting For Next Year - Scout
Lonnie Chisenhall has gotten hot at the plate, hitting .308/.400/.477 over the last 28 days.
Sunday Notes: Jays’ Harris, Irish Conlon, Quirky Records, Otero, more | FanGraphs Baseball
It's looking like Dan Otero is this year's Jeff Manship.
MLB News
With James Shields, White Sox first address non-foremost need - South Side Sox
This deal had been rumored for several weeks, and probably the reason the trade took so long to come to fruition was the amount of money changing hands and how to deal with the opt-out clause after this year. Shields is due roughly $12M the remainder of this year, then (assuming he doesn't opt out this winter) another $44M the next two seasons. San Diego is paying $31M, which has to be close to a record for a deal like this. The White Sox didn't part with much on the prospect side, either.
The major point in the SSS piece is that while Shields is a nice deal for them, they still need to improve their offense, which ranks towards the bottom in the league in many offensive categories.
Evaluating the Prospect in the James Shields Trade | FanGraphs Baseball
If you want more information on the prospect the White Sox gave up in the Shield deal, here's your link.
Bartolo Colon tried to break reality as he blasted a 108-mph laser beam for a single | MLB.com
So what can't Bartolo Colon do?