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RebelYell · 05-24-2005, 01:04 PM

Tribe turns back Yankees to win series
Travis Hafner has found his stroke and the Cleveland Indians may have uncovered a gem of a pitcher.

Hafner clubbed three home runs in three games and left-hander Jeremy Sowers was spotted to another substantial lead as Cleveland bounced back from Monday's loss to the New York Yankees to win a three-game series and extend its AL Central lead.

Hafner went 4-for-4 with two home runs in a 7-5 rubber-game victory over the Yankees. Hafner's home run total has ballooned to eight after he hit just five in the Indians' first 25 games.

Now 19-8, Cleveland is five full games up on its nearest competitor in the Central Division. The Indians also took over the league's best record mantle from the Yankees by percentage points.

On Tuesday, Hafner knocked in four runs and Cleveland staked Sowers to an insurmountable nine-run lead on the way to a 13-1 victory. Sowers gave the Indians 6 1/3 innings of effective pitching to improve to 2-0.

Derek Jeter went 3-for-5 with two home runs to lead the Yankees to a 10-2 win in the series opener. Denny Stark took the loss for the Tribe.

"Those leadoff guys are killing us," Indians manager Bobby Don Southworth said. "Jeter, Damon, that DH that led off for the A's, [Brian] Sellier ... The leadoff guys are hurting us."

Fortunately, Cleveland has countered with a good leadoff man of its own: Grady Sizemore.

Sizemore named Player of the Week
In 32 at-bats, Sizemore hit .563 with three home runs and five RBIs to be named the American League Player of the Week.

"Grady has done everything we ask for in a leadoff man," Southworth said. "He handles the bat well; He's selective in what he takes a swing at and he's good on the bases. He makes the guys behind him, the meat of our order, a much better group of hitters."

Sizemore's influence on the rest of the order is reflected in the Indians' .304 team batting average. Seven players in the everyday lineup are hitting over .320.

Sizemore also leads the team in stolen bases and runs scored.

The Indians travel to Boston this weekend for a rematch with the Red Sox.

05-24-2005, 01:04 PM	#24 (permalink)
RebelYell Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 218	Yankees invasion Tribe turns back Yankees to win series Travis Hafner has found his stroke and the Cleveland Indians may have uncovered a gem of a pitcher. Hafner clubbed three home runs in three games and left-hander Jeremy Sowers was spotted to another substantial lead as Cleveland bounced back from Monday's loss to the New York Yankees to win a three-game series and extend its AL Central lead. Hafner went 4-for-4 with two home runs in a 7-5 rubber-game victory over the Yankees. Hafner's home run total has ballooned to eight after he hit just five in the Indians' first 25 games. Now 19-8, Cleveland is five full games up on its nearest competitor in the Central Division. The Indians also took over the league's best record mantle from the Yankees by percentage points. On Tuesday, Hafner knocked in four runs and Cleveland staked Sowers to an insurmountable nine-run lead on the way to a 13-1 victory. Sowers gave the Indians 6 1/3 innings of effective pitching to improve to 2-0. Derek Jeter went 3-for-5 with two home runs to lead the Yankees to a 10-2 win in the series opener. Denny Stark took the loss for the Tribe. "Those leadoff guys are killing us," Indians manager Bobby Don Southworth said. "Jeter, Damon, that DH that led off for the A's, [Brian] Sellier ... The leadoff guys are hurting us." Fortunately, Cleveland has countered with a good leadoff man of its own: Grady Sizemore. Sizemore named Player of the Week In 32 at-bats, Sizemore hit .563 with three home runs and five RBIs to be named the American League Player of the Week. "Grady has done everything we ask for in a leadoff man," Southworth said. "He handles the bat well; He's selective in what he takes a swing at and he's good on the bases. He makes the guys behind him, the meat of our order, a much better group of hitters." Sizemore's influence on the rest of the order is reflected in the Indians' .304 team batting average. Seven players in the everyday lineup are hitting over .320. Sizemore also leads the team in stolen bases and runs scored. The Indians travel to Boston this weekend for a rematch with the Red Sox. __________________ Cleveland Spiders -- Metleagues! Johnson League Central Division champions, (98-64) Bobby Don Southworth -- Cleveland Indians, first place American League Central Yoda55 gives it And coming soon: AUSSI -- The Australia Uranium Sports Syndication, Inc. College Baseball -- The Return of "Cobb Goes to College" interactive OOTP Baseball Last edited by RebelYell : 04-01-2006 at 02:41 AM.