Texas Sweep Indians, Carl Pavano Smashed
Carl Pavano could only retire three batters of the twelve he faced as Texas completed a sweep of Cleveland. The 0-3 start for The Tribe is disheartening in many ways. The pitching staff performed horribly in all three games, especially the starters. Pavano gave up an absolute bomb to Ian Kinsler after walking Omar Vizquel to start the second inning. He lasted only two batters after that.
The pitching was so bad that Andruw Jones had three hits. I think Jones batted about .140 last season. Get on the plane and get out of dodge ASAP.
Brandon McCarthy did enough to win the game for Texas. McCarthy lasted five innings and left the game with an 11-3 lead. He struck out the side twice in his five inning effort.
On the bright side, and there is a glimmer of good to report, Cleveland fought back and did not quit. Grady Sizemore had two homeruns and Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner, and Kelly Shoppach all had solo shots to make the score a bit more respectable.
Cleveland will host the 3-1 Toronto Blue Jays in the home opener Friday. First pitch is at 4:05. The Indians need to move forward and put the opening series against Texas in the backround for what can still be a great season. Rookies Scott Lewis and Scott Richmond will pitch.
In other MLB news, the baseball world was shaken up as Angles pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed by a drunk driver in an unfortunate hit-and-run accident. Adenhart pitched six scoreless innings the night before his life tragically was ended. Adenhart was only 22 years old.