ZACH PLESAC
SP, CLEVELAND INDIANS

Indians optioned RHP Zach Plesac to Triple-A Columbus.

The rookie made eight starts for the Indians and went 3-3 with a 4.00 ERA. He had a shaky 33:17 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 45 innings. He has put up sterling numbers in the upper minors the last couple of years and will be back in the majors soon.

Allen was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

ANALYSIS

Allen was called up to serve as depth on the Indians' bench prior to the All-Star break. He has hit fairly well since being demoted to Triple-A Columbus on June 5, slashing .274/.349/.432 across 212 plate appearances. He also has eight stolen bases, but has been caught five times. Allen is not in the Indians' starting lineup Saturday.

Plesac will be back, but my only question is whether he does make a start in Columbus prior to being recalled to make his next start in Cleveland.

Frankie goes deep twice. Another highlight was Mercado making a crazy over the head catch early on.

Not much else going on.

2-2 going into the 6th with Bieber (gave up 2 run homer in the first) and DeSclafani both pitching well.

Ok, hard to fathom but Roberto Perez has 4 hits on the day.

But most importantly, he works to a 3-2 count in the 8th then breaks the 2-2 tie with a homer to right field off a changeup.



Story of the day. Lindor the 2 homers to make it 2-2 and Roberto Perez breaks it with a 2 run blast. Meanwhile Bieber goes 8 strong innings.

My eyes are still popping over the catch Greg Allen just made. Topped Mercado yesterday. Therefore he gets an extra WOW

The Cleveland Indians' plan is clear these days.

Build a good bullpen, team speed (Bauers over Yandy??), and defense, especially up the middle.

Why? They are built around starting pitching.

The stupid Mets did the opposite. They loaded up on offense to support their stud starters. OOPS!

Gorgeous 2 run blow by Bauers over the fence in left center. Great approach!

Jose had hit a sac fly earlier in the inning. 4-0 now. Who are these guys?

And why do Tito teams always play better as the season goes on?

Naquin adds a double to his earlier homer and the runs continue. Oh, he doubled in Robert Perez. Then Bobby Bradley doubles in Naquin.

So for Hillbilly it's....GREAT call on Naquin this year! As for Roberto....well .500 is a damn good average.

Now Greg Allen goes deeep for his 4th hit! Incredible catch, he homers and triples and 4 total hits.

Hmmm, maybe the front office was onto something this year. Wish they'd keep us better informed.

Big lug "sluggers" out and fleet footed guys are in.

It's smart when you can't necessarily spend for the big sluggers - kinda the Tampa model. Also smart to support your starting pitchers.

TFIR:

Well, I didn’t pimp Naquin all the way up through our system, as I did a guy like Bieber. (That’s right, give me a 667) But I just honestly felt like he wasn’t getting a chance.

He had a very good rookie year when he played every day, then injuries bit him. He’s finally healthy this year and they would play him one day, sit him two. How the heck you going to know what you got? Especially when, at the time, the vets were sucking. Just stick him in there and see.

Would hate to give up on another Brian Giles because he never got a legit shot. You are a small market club and he was a 1st round pick. Play the friggin guy.

I’d still like to see him walk more and strike out less, but these days in baseball you can say that about almost everybody, unfortunately. But happy to see him playing much like he did before the hip and back injuries.

By the way, I pimped Greg Allen since, almost the day we drafted him. Always thought he’d be a player. But he has disappointed so far. But glad to see him playing like I know he can now. That one can still go either way yet. We’ll see.

So, our outfield was 8 for 18 yesterday with 3 home runs, not bad!

I am happy to have been wrong on Naquin. He and Luplow make a nice pair in RF or maybe it's a nice trio in RF/LF with Bauers, or a quartet with Allen, or a quintet for the 3 OF positions with Mercado although he'll be nearly everyday in CF.

Cruz 1st inning homer. It's 1=0 in the 3rd.