Following Shelley Duncan's leadoff double in the 7th, Acta had the opportunity to pinch hit for Austin Kearns with someone (say Jack Hannahan or Michael Brantley) that might actually succeed in laying down a sac bunt. Instead, Acta asked Kearns and his one career sacrifice to try to get the ball down off one of the best pitchers in baseball. Not surprisingly Austin looked utterly out of his element in popping the bunt foul and into the glove on a diving Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Two groundouts later and the Indians had wasted Duncan's two bagger.
Next, in the top of the 8th, having pulled Fausto Carmona after seven tremendous innings (he lowered his ERA by a full 21 points), Acta went to Chad Durbin. Durbin had been effective as a middle reliever with the Phillies over the past few season, but, as illustrated by the late date of his signing, he's no world beater. The initial logic was sound and produced the desired result, as Durbin retired Salt. Marco Scuatro followed with his second single of the day and everyone, including me, expected Manny to bring in Rafael Perez to face the lefthanded duo of Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford. Nope. For some inexplicable reason, Durbin remained on the hill and issued a quick walk to Ellsbury. Only then did Acta take the slow walk and bring Rafe in from the 'pen. Fortunately, Perez has been so lights out thus far that he was able to wriggle out of the inning unscathed.
The squeeze was beautiful, mostly in Asdrubal's phenomenal execution (how does anyone bunt a 97mph fastball that's 9 inches off of the plate by bouncing it foul beside the right batting box and keep the damn thing fair all the way down the line?). I can also agree that Manny Acta has managed this season as if his life depended on each and every win (go to a lefty-lefty matchup in the 5th, anyone?). Still, it remains to be seen if Acta's brilliance outshines his blunders. For now I will withhold judgment and bask in the glory of the Indians' first sweep of the BoSox since '01 and Boston's first 0-6 start since 1945. How sweet it is, Caroline.
What Else I Know --
Josh Tomlin is the first Indian pitcher IN HISTORY to pitch at least 5 innings in his first 13 starts. Love it.
I'll admit that I was wrong. Adam Everett is, indeed, the Indians' back up third baseman. I guess that I was just overwhelmed by the fact that Adam has never played the position in 12 pro seasons.
Shin-Shoo Choo is batting .083. It couldn't happen to nicer guy. I must have asked Choo for his sig 30 times when the Tribe came to Cow-Town and the jerk didn't even look at me once.
Cheers.
