AMERICAN LEAGUE AROUND THE HORN: WHAT ARE INDIANS TO DO ABOUT PEDRO?Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer SEATTLE - The Indians signed Chuck Finley As long as Pedro Martinez gets multiple starts in a playoff series, the Indians can't beat the Red Sox. Martinez is 7-0 vs. Cleveland, but it has become more than just his 95-mph fastball and deceptive changeup. Now, it's a mental thing. Indians pitcher Charles Nagy Diaz was called up in 1996 by the Cleveland Indians to back up then-catcher Sandy Alomar, Jr. . Martinez didn't hit him, and he wasn't trying to hit him and put a runner on base in a tight ballgame. Diaz had leaned out across the plate and hit a changeup on the outside part of the plate for a double in his previous at-bat, and the only way to get a hitter from sitting on that pitch is to come inside with a fastball. It gives the hitter cause for hesitation before jumping out across the plate. It worked, because Diaz struck out. But the psyched-out Indians are so worried about Martinez, they started the mess by hitting Offerman. ``They can't beat him within the rules of the game so they have to look at alternative ways to beat the kid,'' Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette Daniel F. Duquette is a former front-office executive in American Major League baseball. He was general manager of the Montreal Expos from September 1991 through January 1994 and the Boston Red Sox from that point through February 2002. told Boston writers. ``This isn't anything new. There's an intense rivalry between these clubs but our guys stay within the rules of the game. We didn't hit anybody (initially). These strategies that batters take of stepping out of the box and taking a long time as a hitter, they're all designed to upset Pedro because they can't beat him.'' --First to worst: The Texas Rangers Texas Rangers, mounted fighting force organized (1835) during the Texas Revolution. During the republic they became established as the guardians of the Texas frontier, particularly against Native Americans. have won the AL West each of the past two years, but they made a number of changes going into this year and so far, it hasn't come together. First and foremost is the nine-player trade that sent Juan Gonzalez to Detroit. But pitcher Justin Thompson
A starting lineup in sports refers to the set of players actively participating in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes almost every day. Rafael Palmeiro has been bothered by a bad hamstring. The bullpen, particularly reliever Jeff Zimmerman, isn't pitching like it did last year. And the Rangers are depending heavily on young outfielders Ruben Mateo and Gabe Kapler, and young third baseman Mike Lamb. So the results - 12-16 and in last place in the AL West - are understandable. ''We're not going in the direction we want to go,'' Rangers manager Johnny Oates said. ''We preach patience. We want to be patient, but we're missing something. I thought we would be more consistent. I honestly thought our offense would be more consistent, top to bottom. I thought our bullpen would be a whole lot better, and I thought our defense had a shot at being better than it's shown.'' Think again. --A month to Dye for: Darin Erstad had an incredible month of April, but it would be difficult to argue with the American League's selection of Jermaine Dye as player of the month. The Royals outfielder became the first player in major league history to get double figures in homers (11) and doubles (12) before May 1. ``I have been in this type of mode before, but not in the big leagues,'' Dye said. ``I can't explain it. You're on every pitch. You're in a zone.'' --Short hops: Second baseman Randy Velarde, hurt for most of his time with the Angels, hasn't played one inning with the A's this season because of an injury. . . . After Ken Griffey Jr. struck out three times in a game against the Mets last week, the New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of area papers referred to him as Ken Whiffey Jr. . . . Cal Ripken is a record-breaker in a variety of all-time categories, including one he'd rather avoid. When he grounds into two more double plays, he'll tie Hank Aaron for the most in major-league history. . . . Orioles pitcher Scott Erickson was excused from the ballpark last week so he could attend a People Magazine photo shoot. Erickson was named to the magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People list. He was one of three athletes on the list, and the only baseball player. |
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