Indians manager Manny Acta says the AL Central won't be won in June. But could it be lost this month?
View full sizeJason Knapp's 2011 season has been ended by his second shoulder surgery as a member of the Indians' organization.DETROIT, Mich. -- Manny Acta said a three-game series in mid-June between the top two teams in the AL Central won't determine how the Tigers and Indians end their seasons.
"Every game is important," the Indians manager said Tuesday afternoon at Comerica Park. "It doesn't matter when it is. We do realize it's only June."
At Yankee Stadium on Monday, Acta said, "There is still enough time for anyone in the division to win it by 10 games or lose it by 30."
The Indians entered this three-game series leading the Tigers by percentage points, .547 to .545. The two teams are moving in opposite directions. The Tigers have followed a 16-11 May with a 8-4 start to June. The Indians are 3-9 in June after a 14-12 May. While the Tigers have scored 62 runs in June, the second-most in the AL, the Indians have scored the second-fewest with 38.
"We understand, at the point, we are fortunate and grateful that we're still in this spot after what we've been through the last three weeks and compared to where we were at this point last year," said Acta.
After 64 games in 2010, the Indians were 25-39 and 12 1/2 games out of first.
"Everybody talks about us not scoring runs, but it starts with the little things," said outfielder Austin Kearns. "You have to play defense, run the bases, move runners over. The little things lead to the big things."
Whether it's little or big, it's been a challenge for the Indians since they led the AL Central by seven games with a 30-15 record on May 23.
"We knew we weren't going to hit over .300 with runners in scoring position for the whole year," said Acta. "To me it seems we're not taking as many pitches. We're not letting the guy behind us pick us up. But all that can change in a hurry."
Heard this: Mitch Talbot, according to a major-league source, can rest easy. It does not appear that he'll be suspended for hitting Alex Rodriguez in the sixth inning Saturday at Yankee Stadium. Plate umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Talbot immediately after he hit Rodriguez even though Talbot said he slipped on the wet mound.
Rodriguez homered off Talbot earlier in the game. One batter before Rodriguez came to the plate, Curtis Granderson homered.
Talbot could still get fined.
More surgery: Pitching prospect Jason Knapp underwent surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday in New York. It's the second major operation he's had on the shoulder since the Indians acquired him in July of 2009 as part of the deal that sent Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco to the Phillies.
The surgery will sideline Knapp for the rest of the season. The Indians kept Knapp under wraps in extended spring training this year to monitor his innings and increase his shoulder strength before he was allowed to join one of their minor-league teams. He never made it.
Ross Atkins, the Indians' director of player development, said "As we have conveyed the past several months, we were monitoring Jason's progress and workload to ensure that he would be fully healthy and able to pitch without being limited upon his return to the mound.
"After increasing his intensity last month in Arizona, he experienced discomfort and was seen by [head Indians physician] Dr. Mark Schickendantz and later received two additional opinions. It was determined that Jason undergo a procedure to stabilize and tighten the anterior aspect of the shoulder, which was performed in New York by Dr. David Altchek."
Atkins said Knapp will need six weeks of rest following the surgery. Then he can begin yet another rehab program.
Knapp was on the disabled list when the deal was made with biceps tendinitis. He made four starts for the Indians at Class A Lake County before undergoing surgery on his right shoulder. He did not pitch again until the second part of last season. After making five starts for the Arizona Rookie League Indians, he moved up to Lake County where he went 1-0 with a 3.94 ERA in four starts. Knapp struck out 29 and walked eight in 16 innings at Lake County.
The one thing on Knapp's side is his age. The 6-5, 242-pound Knapp doesn't turn 21 until Aug. 31. He was the Phillies' second-round pick in 2008.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2011/06/jason_knapp_key_to_cliff_lee_t.html
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