Baron--it may have been that last year when the Tribe beat Verlander with the help of back-to-back (I think) dingers, it was the game before the start of one of those long losing streaks. So it comes with mixed memories.

Last I checked no one ever got a 3 RBI HR from a bunt.

Q.:

What has been the biggest comeback in a major league baseball game ??

A.:

8/5/01 cleveland vs. seattle 12 runs, they were actually down 12 twice in the game, 12-0 and 14-2. The Indians eventually won the game, 15-14, in 11 innings. Cleveland's John Rocker was the winning pitcher.

Again I say, small ball is not all about the bunt as you shall see from the following links.

Guess what?

Down 14-2, only two solo homers and 2-run shot. The remaining 8 runs........all small ball

In fact All SIX RUNS in the bottom of the ninth all courtesy of small ball

The game winner in the 11th also courtesy of the small ball.

Just goes to show you that the long ball is not the only way to cut huge deficits. It may be the quickest but cutting large leads is best done one run at a time.

Odds of hitting a pre-planned homer is/are low percentage plays. Odds are more favorable playing small ball, chipping at big leads one run at a time.

Gamecast:

http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/34817

You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H1JWQ4junc

I think that the team we have assembled this year is very much capable of doing both. We can be most effective by implementing both which we seem to have no problems doing.

Up next.......the streaking Yankees. Smaller park, similar game plan. In my opinion, we have to make good use of our speed and defense. Taking two in one day, especially against a team like the Yankees won't be easy, but it can be done. I think our offense matches up well with the Yankees. As always, it will come down to who has the most effective starting pitchers. Let's play two and take 2.

Well, 2 of 3 from Detroit was a welcomed sight. This team isn't anything at all like the teams we've had in the past. This is a well-balanced outfit. Best I've seen since the 90's. The starting pitchers could be upgraded, but so far, they've done a more than adequate job.

After this weekends performance, I sure would like to see attendance around the 30,000 mark. I would also like to see the Indians win 2. They should be riding high right now, so a sweep is not that far fetched. They are playing good baseball right now. It just has to continue for at least one more day.

..............WE WIN!!!

joez wrote:
After this weekends performance, I sure would like to see attendance around the 30,000 mark. I would also like to see the Indians win 2. They should be riding high right now, so a sweep is not that far fetched. They are playing good baseball right now. It just has to continue for at least one more day.

I'm sure we all would like that to happen, but there is no way the Indians will draw anywhere near 30,000 tomorrow! It's a Monday day game(s), and have you seen the forecast? I predict we split the DH.

Monday

Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 40s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

That means wind chills in the 30s!

Joe resides in a constant fantasy world. Please tell us about small ball for the one millionth time.

Please tell us about the "V" and how it is better to hit it where the fielders are not playing.

Please tell us this is the best team since the 90's even though the 2007 team had better pitching and won 96 games.

Please tell us again that Francona should manage for speed and not a slug fest.

I can hear Francona now in the clubhouse. "Boys, listen here boys, no slug fest tonight. Hit it and run your ass off ! Hey try to hit it where they are not playing too ! " Let's go !!!!!!

Oh Rusty! I see I hit another nerve

Have you renewed your prescription yet? I think you should before you have a heart attack.

When are you finally going to admit that I am right !?!?!

I don't know JR. On paper, I think we have the advantage. I like the pitching matchup. New York will come into the doubleheader on a five-game winning streak, but also with an uncertain pitching rotation. Cleveland's Justin Masterson will be matched against David Phelps in Game 1, and two young pitchers -- Trevor Bauer and Vidal Nuno -- will pitch Game 2.

We may not hit 30,000 but a sweep is not out of the question. The Yankees have 5 game winning streak. We've won the last 6 out of 7. Anyway, that's a nice incentive for a large crowd.

Have fun at the park JR. I'll be trying to catch parts of the games from work today.

Please tell us about the "V" and how it is better to hit it where the fielders are not playing.

Batting Fundamentals

by Ty Cobb (1938)


1. DON'T GRIP YOUR BAT AT THE VERY END; leave say an inch or two. ALSO, LEAVE AT LEAST AN INCH OR MORE SPACE BETWEEN YOUR HANDS; that gives you balance and control of bat, and also keeps hands from interfering with each other during swing.

Cobb was a contact type of hitter that relied on getting the ball in play and using his speed to leg out many hits. Using this spread type of grip and “choking’ up on the bat gave him better control to capitalize on his hitting approach. Homeruns were not his concern, hitting .400 was! He did this 3 times in his career and once had a stretch of 11 years in which he hit .368 or higher!

2. Take position at plate, especially against right hand pitchers, BACK OF PLATE, and against a man with a real curve, YOU CAN STAY ON BACK LINE OF BATTING BOX. Now try to hit to right-center. I don't mean you should place the ball in any one spot, but start now practicing to hit your right-handers to the opposite field. An inside ball from a right-hand pitcher you will naturally pull, say, to left-center.

This is the philosophy we adopt at BeABetterHitter. Essentially what Ty Cobb is saying is that you want to identify the third of the plate that the pitch is coming… pull the ball on the inner third…hit the ball to the big part of the field (up the middle and opposite field) on balls on the outer two thirds. Interesting that he liked the very back line of the batter’s box.

3. DON'T SLUG AT FULL SPEED; LEARN TO MEET THEM FIRMLY, and you will be surprised at the results.

Another BeABetterHitter philosophy: Basically he is saying that a full and uncontrolled swing is not the answer! Develop Bat Speed and then use about 75-85% of that speed during the swing.

4. Now, to hit as I ask, to right-center or center. YOU STAND AWAY FROM PLATE the distance you can see with mind's eye that you can hit the ball that curves on inside corner, to center. This distance away from the plate will allow you to hit the outside ball to right. In other words, you protect the plate both on inside pitches and outside. (Same applies to left hand hitters)

Here, he is simply explaining that you must recognize and understand the concept of “plate coverage” with your bat length and stance position in the box. Another hint to hit to the big part of the field!

I can continue but I think you get the picture

By the way, the "V" you keep alluding to was from a post that I wrote way back when while attending an Aeros batting practice session and subsequent ball game. It was just an observation I made during that time. But thanks for the reminders. By the way, it really doesn't matter where the defenders are positioned.

If you've ever been to a batting practice session in Cleveland, you'll know that Manny Ramirez would never hit homers rather he would practice hitting to all fields starting with the opposite field first. It just something good hitters practice and try to repeat in their ballgames.

Is there anything else you would like to know about the "V" ??

1938.....ya know....nevermind.

Please tell us again that Francona should manage for speed and not a slug fest.

No! Not at all Rusty. I simply posted that Comerica Park has a spacious outfield and that it might be better to think less power and lean more towards getting on base and taking more advantage of the speed this team has. Games two and three seemed to fit the pattern, don't you think?

Hey! It's great if you can hit them where they ain't, but that's only a small part of the game. Most base hits are actually directed at or near the defenders.

Game 1 actually started out well, but unfortunately, Kluber did not stick to the game plan

Please tell us this is the best team since the 90's even though the 2007 team had better pitching and won 96 games.

I've posted that the 2007 team was very good. I also posted that it was only 1 of 2 teams from the last 10 years to post a winning percentage. Not a good percentage even though you might think so.

I still think that the 2013 team might be better balanced than that 2007 team. Better pitching !?!?! Debatable! That team had more high profile starters on it. The 2007 team ended up the season in 5th place with a team ERA of (4.05). So far, the 2013 team is 18th but with a team ERA of (3.96). I'll wait until the season is over to start thinking about which staff was the best and which of the two teams were more well-balanced. I'm guessing this current team could win 90 games. Not much separation between the two teams provided my guess becomes reality.

There were more modern references Baron. I just liked that one since Cobb was the best pure hitter around. Coaches and teaching facilities still use Cobb's fundamentals to hitting.

And of course the damn feed doesn't want to work....damn 3rd world internet.

How did we score that run?

Oooh it's on....still don't know how we scored.

Hope Masterson can hang on and pitch deep to keep the BP for the next game if needed.

Still 1-0 into the 6th.