This Week In Indians Baseball: Week 19

NEWS:

• Travis Hafner was placed on the DL on Thursday with a buldging dick in his spine. It is uncertain if he will be able to return to the lineup this season. Jason Donald replaced him on the roster after being recalled from Triple-A Columbus.
• On Tuesday, the Indians designated Jose Lopez for assignment and recalled right-handed pitcher Frank Hermann to claim his spot on the roster.
• The Indians parted ways with pitching coach Scott Radinsky on Thursday. Ruben Niebla, who served as the Triple-A pitching coach, was named as the interim pitching coach for the Indians’ Major League staff.
• Jason Kipnis has been out of the lineup with neck stiffness since Wednesday.

WAHOO’S ON FIRST HIGHLIGHTS:

• Brian previewed the series with the Twins and Merritt previewed the series with the Red Sox
• Lewie interviewed Paul Pleiss of Puckett’s Pond about the Twins
• Lewie explained why Ezequiel Carrera could have a bright future with the Tribe
• Merritt argued that it’s the right time for the Tribe to begin rebuilding
• Lewie showed the mathematical improbability behind the Indians’ 11-game losing streak
• In this week’s Wroundtable, we discussed who or what was to blame for the Indians 11-game losing streak

WEEKLY TRIVIA:

• The Indians ended their 11-game losing streak on Wednesday. It was the fourth losing streak of 11 games in franchise history. They avoided tying the record of 12 games that was set in 1931 with a victory against the Twins.
• On Thursday, Vinnie Pestano pitched his 21^st consecutive scoreless inning. His streak is the longest for an Indians relief pitcher since Paul Assenmacher went 23.1 innings without allowing a run in 1997.
• With 31 holds this season, Pestano is tied with Rafael Betancourt with the most in a single season for the Tribe in team history. Betancourt had 31 in 2007.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“He’s helped me become a man. He’s helped me become a father. I owe a lot of what I’ve become to him. … I don’t think it’s all Rad’s fault. Most of it isn’t his fault. It stinks. At the end of the day, it comes down to the pitchers.” – Chris Perez said of pitching Coach Scott Radinsky after his dismissal.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Carlos Santana

In a week when offensive production was a struggle, Santana was a steady presence in the lineup. In Sunday’s 14-1 loss, Santana was the only member of the team able to bring home a run.He had six RBI total in the last week, two coming off a home run in Monday’s 14-3 loss. Santana walked five times over seven games. He had a batting average of .333 and scored four runs.