Indian Fever: Two More Great Pitching Performances!

On Tuesday night, Jeremy Sowers pitched a great game as the Indians defeated the Orioles 6-1. Sowers pitched 8 innings giving up 1 run on 4 hits with 7 strike-outs. Sowers flirted with great games many times this season but somehow couldn't get out of the "big" inning. That was not the case on Tuesday as he put both halves of a game together.

Enter Scott Lewis, up from AAA ball. At Class AAA Buffalo and Class AA Akron this year, he was a combined 8-4 with a 2.53 ERA. With Anthony Reyes needing to rest a sore arm, Lewis was brought up to "fill-in" as the Tribe's starting pitching was in need of a respite. Lewis more than answered the challenge, beating the Orioles 7-1. Lewis pitched 8 strong shut-out innings, giving up only 3 hits with no walks and 3 strike-outs.

So, why wasn't he out for the 9th inning to preserve his shut-out? SportsTime Ohio commentator Rick Manning was upset that after the bottom of the 8th inning, Lewis was getting the congratulatory high 5's and pats on the back. "He's done!" said Manning, "Oh, I'm disappointed!" So were we, Rick. He had thrown 96 pitches and breezed through the 7th and 8th innings. To add insult to injury, Masa Kobayashi couldn't hold the shut-out in the 9th. When will he go away??????

But upon further review, manager Eric Wedge probably made the right choice, although not the most popular, in taking Lewis out after 8 innings. Lewis underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery while at Ohio State in 2003 before being drafted in the third round by Cleveland in 2004. He was limited to six starts in 2005 because of biceps tendinitis, then spent most of the 2006 season on a limited pitch count before finally pitching a full season last year with Double-A Akron.
This spring training, however, Lewis strained a back muscle and was forced to stay in extended spring training until early June. He combined to go 8-4 with a 2.53 ERA for Akron and Triple-A Buffalo before finally making his way to the Indians. When interviewed after the game, he showed tremendous poise (similar to his poise on the mound) and professionalism in the way he handled the questions put to him, especially on being removed after the 8th. "I expected that." he said, "I am on a pitch count. I can't be disappointed about anything today." Well said, Scott!

Here is hoping Scott Lewis sticks around through September. He looks like the real deal!