“Hey Terry, panic time for the Indians? How would you fix the bats (change in the lineup)?”

Dhanvin Desai posted that on my Facebook page.

Several other fans have asked if this is it for the Indians — the good start is over. Who knows? The three-game losing streak may turn into 30 . . . or at least 10.

I will simply ask this: If anyone had told you the Indians would be 13-8 at this point, would you take it? Not only that, they are 13-8 with Shin-Soo Choo (.207) and Carlos Santana (.200) dragging down the middle of the lineup.

Panic?

Let’s think for a moment.

The Indians vaulted to first in the Central Division because of four things:

1. Superb starting pitching.

2. A bullish bullpen.

3. Dependable defense.

4. Timely hitting.

They lost in Kansas City (3-2) Thursday because of the first blown save (and runs allowed) by closer Chris Perez since last August.

They lost Saturday in Minnesota (10-3) because Fausto Carmona had one of those games where it seems as if he had never pitched in the majors before.

Sunday, it was a 4-3 loss in Minnesota when starter Carlos Carrasco left after three innings and an error by second baseman Orlando Cabrera allowed a key run.

Ike Langendorfer emailed: “I hope the blown save by Perez doesn’t take us into the dumper. We both have seen this numerous times before.”

Ike, yes, we’ve seen the Indians fall apart. But usually, they told us early in the season that they were in trouble.

Since Eric Wedge was hired in 2004, they have had only three winning Aprils — 13-12 in 2006, 14-8 in 2007, and whatever they end up this month. In 2006, they were a .500 team. In 2007, they won 96 games.

Most Aprils have been like this: 9-13, 8-14, 13-15, 9-14, 9-13. Those are the records in five of the past seven Aprils. So I don’t think Perez blowing a save has sent the Tribe tumbling face-first down a long flight of stairs into the Central Division basement.

That’s because other than Carmona’s crash on Saturday, the starting pitching keeps rolling along. The bullpen has had a few rough spots lately, but there are enough good arms for it not to collapse.

Justin Masterson (4-0, 1.71 ERA) starts for the Tribe tonight against Kansas City. The next night, it’s Josh Tomlin (3-0, 2.33). Friday, it’s Carmona, who has allowed 16 earned runs in eight innings covering two starts and only four earned runs total in three other starts.

Three times this season, Masterson has won a game after a Tribe loss.

After being shelled in the first two games of the season, Tribe starters are 10-3 with a 2.80 ERA in the past 19 games. In 15 of those 19 games, the starter has worked at least six innings.

Yes, it would help if the team hit more. Maybe Manager Manny Acta can toy with the lineup, but there are no dramatic changes that can be made right now. My main concern is that Carrasco may have a lingering elbow problem, although the team so far doesn’t think that’s the case for their young starter.

Tim Vanderkum emailed: “So you think the Tribe is going to win the World Series. Think again Terry . . . It’s just that we live in Charlie Brownsville, Cleveland. We keep thinking that SOME DAY we’ll win !!! NEVER TO BE!!!”

I know Tim wrote part of this with a smile as he recalls the times when the Indians and Cavs recently came close to titles. But I do think that some fans have trouble enjoying a team because they figure it won’t last long . . . and they will be disappointed.

For the record, my preseason pick for the Indians was 74-88. I have never written a word about them going to the postseason, much less the World Series. I have discussed how they have played good baseball and have been fun to watch.

Assuming the Indians keep pitching and catching the ball as they have for most of this month — I see no reason to change my opinion that this isn’t time to panic . . . rather, enjoy a team that plays close games nearly every night.

MINNEAPOLIS — The ball just didn’t bounce Michael Brantley’s way Sunday.

Brantley’s three-run homer in the fourth inning was taken off the board upon replay review, a ruling that wound up playing a pivotal role in Cleveland’s 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

Brantley’s drive to right field hit the limestone facing and initially was ruled a home run. He rounded the bases for a 4-2 lead, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire convinced the umpires to review the call. They did and summoned Brantley out of the dugout and credited him with a two-run double.

Twins starter Carl Pavano left him on second base, and the Indians faltered in the seventh when Jason Kubel hit a two-run double against Rafael Perez (2-1) to lift the Twins to the win.

If umpires had ruled the ball caromed off the top of the wall, it would have remained a home run. But replays showed it hit the corner, and all Brantley and the Indians could do was shrug at their misfortune, a game of inches lost by the narrowest of margins.

“They made the right call,” Brantley said. “I watched the replay two innings later, and it definitely wasn’t a home run. It hit the corner of the wall and came back. It was unlucky for us, but that’s the way the game goes.”

Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo threw out two runners at home in the third inning to keep the Indians in it, but starter Carlos Carrasco left with tightness in his right elbow after just three innings. He will be re-evaluated in Cleveland.

“He felt from the beginning he couldn’t get loose pretty good and just went out there and said he couldn’t get it loose at all,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “We kind of sensed some of that because his velocity wasn’t where it was in the past. He just couldn’t get it loose.”

Travis Hafner and Orlando Cabrera had two hits each, but Cabrera’s error at second base in the seventh inning set up Kubel’s go-ahead hit.

The Indians led 3-2 in the seventh when Alexi Casilla singled and Denard Span reached on Cabrera’s error. Jason Repko sacrficed, and Kubel hit a breaking ball high off the wall in right-center field for the lead.

“Obviously, they took advantage of the extra out, and their big hitters came through,” Acta said.

Grady Sizemore doubled in the ninth to put the tying run on second base, but Matt Capps got Asdrubal Cabrera to fly out to the warning track in left field to end the game.

Kubel and Justin Morneau had two hits for the Twins, who took both games of the rain-shortened series. They have won three in a row and five of seven after a miserable 4-10 start.

“We needed some wins, absolutely,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.

“You still try to stay on an even keel as much as you possibly can, figure out what’s right and wrong and try to work your way through it.”

The Indians stayed in it thanks to Choo’s left arm in the third inning. With one out and runners on first and second, Kubel had a single to right field. Casilla ran right through third-base coach Steve Liddle’s stop sign, and Choo, who led the league in outfield assists in 2010, threw him out by five feet.

Morneau followed with a two-run double, and Carrasco again was on his heels. Michael Cuddyer then singled to shallow right, and Liddle first waved Morneau home before putting up a stop sign when Morneau was halfway down the line. Choo’s throw easily beat Morneau to the plate to end the inning.

“If he wins a Gold Glove, we’ll probably have Steve hand it out,” Gardenhire quipped.

Choo almost had a third assist in the fourth inning, but Jim Thome just beat his throw into second base for a double.

“The good thing is he never gets caught by surprise,” Acta said of Choo. “He throws the ball on a line, makes a good throw. Whether people run on him or not he makes the throw, which is to his credit because they’re on line and good throws.”

Notes: The Indians head home, where they have won seven in a row for the first time since 2007. They’re off today and open a series Tuesday against Kansas City. … Choo’s two assists give him four for the season. … Indians right-hander Vinnie Pestano threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. He has allowed one run in eight innings this season (1.12 ERA).

MINNEAPOLIS — The ball just didn’t bounce Michael Brantley’s way Sunday.

Brantley’s three-run homer in the fourth inning was taken off the board upon replay review, a ruling that wound up playing a pivotal role in Cleveland’s 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

Brantley’s drive to right field hit the limestone facing and initially was ruled a home run. He rounded the bases for a 4-2 lead, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire convinced the umpires to review the call. They did and summoned Brantley out of the dugout and credited him with a two-run double.

Twins starter Carl Pavano left him on second base, and the Indians faltered in the seventh when Jason Kubel hit a two-run double against Rafael Perez (2-1) to lift the Twins to the win.

If umpires had ruled the ball caromed off the top of the wall, it would have remained a home run. But replays showed it hit the corner, and all Brantley and the Indians could do was shrug at their misfortune, a game of inches lost by the narrowest of margins.

“They made the right call,” Brantley said. “I watched the replay two innings later, and it definitely wasn’t a home run. It hit the corner of the wall and came back. It was unlucky for us, but that’s the way the game goes.”

Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo threw out two runners at home in the third inning to keep the Indians in it, but starter Carlos Carrasco left with tightness in his right elbow after just three innings. He will be re-evaluated in Cleveland.

“He felt from the beginning he couldn’t get loose pretty good and just went out there and said he couldn’t get it loose at all,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “We kind of sensed some of that because his velocity wasn’t where it was in the past. He just couldn’t get it loose.”

Travis Hafner and Orlando Cabrera had two hits each, but Cabrera’s error at second base in the seventh inning set up Kubel’s go-ahead hit.

The Indians led 3-2 in the seventh when Alexi Casilla singled and Denard Span reached on Cabrera’s error. Jason Repko sacrficed, and Kubel hit a breaking ball high off the wall in right-center field for the lead.

“Obviously, they took advantage of the extra out, and their big hitters came through,” Acta said.

Grady Sizemore doubled in the ninth to put the tying run on second base, but Matt Capps got Asdrubal Cabrera to fly out to the warning track in left field to end the game.

Kubel and Justin Morneau had two hits for the Twins, who took both games of the rain-shortened series. They have won three in a row and five of seven after a miserable 4-10 start.

“We needed some wins, absolutely,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.

“You still try to stay on an even keel as much as you possibly can, figure out what’s right and wrong and try to work your way through it.”

The Indians stayed in it thanks to Choo’s left arm in the third inning. With one out and runners on first and second, Kubel had a single to right field. Casilla ran right through third-base coach Steve Liddle’s stop sign, and Choo, who led the league in outfield assists in 2010, threw him out by five feet.

Morneau followed with a two-run double, and Carrasco again was on his heels. Michael Cuddyer then singled to shallow right, and Liddle first waved Morneau home before putting up a stop sign when Morneau was halfway down the line. Choo’s throw easily beat Morneau to the plate to end the inning.

“If he wins a Gold Glove, we’ll probably have Steve hand it out,” Gardenhire quipped.

Choo almost had a third assist in the fourth inning, but Jim Thome just beat his throw into second base for a double.

“The good thing is he never gets caught by surprise,” Acta said of Choo. “He throws the ball on a line, makes a good throw. Whether people run on him or not he makes the throw, which is to his credit because they’re on line and good throws.”

Notes: The Indians head home, where they have won seven in a row for the first time since 2007. They’re off today and open a series Tuesday against Kansas City. … Choo’s two assists give him four for the season. … Indians right-hander Vinnie Pestano threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. He has allowed one run in eight innings this season (1.12 ERA).



CLEVELAND, Ohio. — The Indians aren’t expected to give an update on Carlos Carrasco’s right elbow until Tuesday.

Carrasco left Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Twins after three innings with a “tight’ right elbow. He said the elbow started to hurt during his bullpen session.

The right-hander, who made the Indians opening day rotation out of spring training, was examined on Monday, but that’s all the Indians would say. They will not need a starter until Saturday with Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin and Fausto Carmona scheduled to face the Royals in a three-game series that starts Tuesday night at Progressive Field with first place in the AL Central at stake.

Manager Manny Acta said Jeanmar Gomez will move into Carrasco’s spot in the rotation, which means he’d start Friday against the visiting Tigers. Gomez made his first big-league relief appearance Sunday after Carrasco left. He had been added to the rotation to replace injured Mitch Talbot.

David Huff is the most likely candidate to replace Carrasco if he has to go on the disabled list. Huff is scheduled to start Tuesday for Class AAA Columbus against Gwinett. If Huff is recalled, he would probably make an abbreviated start on Tuesday.

Right-hander Alex White has been impressive at Columbus. He’s scheduled to start in a doubleheader today. White, the Indians No.1 pick in 2009, is not on the 40-man roster. So the Indians would have to make a roster move to bring him to the big leagues.

Huff is 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA (four earned runs in 17 innings) in three starts. He has eight strikeouts, while allowing 10 walks and 10 hits. The opposition is hitting .169 against him.

White has no record and a 2.00 ERA (four earned runs in 18 innings) after three starts. He has 20 strikeouts, while allowing three walks and 14 hits. The opposition is hitting .206 against him.

He has a WHIP 0.94. WHIP (walks plus hits divided by innings pitched) determines the
average number of baserunners a pitcher faces in an inning. In other words, White’s WHIP is excellent.

The Indians have reached first place largely because of the fine performance of their rotation. Twenty one games into the season, they’re already missing two of those starters with elbow injuries — Talbot and Carrasco.



CLEVELAND, Ohio. — The Indians aren’t expected to give an update on Carlos Carrasco’s right elbow until Tuesday.

Carrasco left Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Twins after three innings with a “tight’ right elbow. He said the elbow started to hurt during his bullpen session.

The right-hander, who made the Indians opening day rotation out of spring training, was examined on Monday, but that’s all the Indians would say. They will not need a starter until Saturday with Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin and Fausto Carmona scheduled to face the Royals in a three-game series that starts Tuesday night at Progressive Field with first place in the AL Central at stake.

Manager Manny Acta said Jeanmar Gomez will move into Carrasco’s spot in the rotation, which means he’d start Friday against the visiting Tigers. Gomez made his first big-league relief appearance Sunday after Carrasco left. He had been added to the rotation to replace injured Mitch Talbot.

David Huff is the most likely candidate to replace Carrasco if he has to go on the disabled list. Huff is scheduled to start Tuesday for Class AAA Columbus against Gwinett. If Huff is recalled, he would probably make an abbreviated start on Tuesday.

Right-hander Alex White has been impressive at Columbus. He’s scheduled to start in a doubleheader today. White, the Indians No.1 pick in 2009, is not on the 40-man roster. So the Indians would have to make a roster move to bring him to the big leagues.

Huff is 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA (four earned runs in 17 innings) in three starts. He has eight strikeouts, while allowing 10 walks and 10 hits. The opposition is hitting .169 against him.

White has no record and a 2.00 ERA (four earned runs in 18 innings) after three starts. He has 20 strikeouts, while allowing three walks and 14 hits. The opposition is hitting .206 against him.

He has a WHIP 0.94. WHIP (walks plus hits divided by innings pitched) determines the
average number of baserunners a pitcher faces in an inning. In other words, White’s WHIP is excellent.

The Indians have reached first place largely because of the fine performance of their rotation. Twenty one games into the season, they’re already missing two of those starters with elbow injuries — Talbot and Carrasco.

By Grant Brisbee – Editor

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Apr 25, 2011 - And as quickly as it all began, it evaporated. After starting the season hot, the Cleveland Indians have dropped four out of their last five, eliminating them from postseason contention.

…

At least, that’s what it feels like. This is the time of year when you start to expect things to stabilize. Albert Pujols started the season in a horrible slump, but you knew he was going to turn back into Albert Pujols. The Rays and Red Sox, who started their seasons by losing a combined 429 games out of 428, have already moved out of the AL East cellar. And the Indians will slink back to their cozy loser’s nook to spoon with the Royals at the bottom of the AL Central.

Maybe. But even though this is when the surprise teams and players start to fade, that doesn’t mean they all have to fade. Sam Fuld probably isn’t the new Wee Willie Keeler, but at least he can point to Andres Torres. And though the Indians’ perch at the top of their division is precarious, there has to be one team that comes out of nowhere every season — rule 4.12 (a-b), look it up — so why not the Indians?

Surprise winners like the 2006 Tigers and the 2008 Rays had something in common: a core. They were teams that you could point to before the season started and say, “Except for players a), b), c), and d), this team isn’t very good.” But at least they had the foundation of a good team. A foundation of Evan Longoria, James Shields, B.J. Upton, and Carl Crawford was a fine start to a roster, and complementary players exceeded expectations. Carlos Pena was a middle-of-the-order force, and Dioner Navarro picked a fine season to have his only productive stretch of major league at-bats. The same could be written about the 2006 Tigers, who started the season with Curtis Granderson, Magglio Ordonez, and Carlos Guillen, which allowed surprise performances from Marcus Thames and Craig Monroe to push them over the top.

The Indians have an enviable core. Shin-Soo Choo is so underrated that he’s overrated in his underratedness, which is to say he’s a fantastic player. Carlos Santana his started the season slowly, but he should still be a monster run producer. And if Grady Sizemore is really healthy this time, he’s so talented that even your mother will stop what she’s doing to watch him play. (No, really, that’s why she’s watching him.)

That’s a start, and that’s all it is. Just because a team has three or four good players, it doesn’t mean that they’re entitled to play meaningful baseball in September. But it’s three or four more good players than most awful teams have, and it allows the surprise performers to push the team to another level. For example, before you sniff at Michael Brantley, check out his K/BB ratios in the minors. He’s a bat control artist, and lesser players have figured things out at the major league level. Having the core in place allows players like Brantley to push a team towards contention if their development is for real.

So are the Indians going to win their division? Well, probably not. Their young pitching has potential, but it’s still a Riddler costume of a rotation. But that’s what everyone said about the 1997 Giants, and people kept waiting and waiting and waiting for them to fade, and they never did. The Indians might not have a really good team, but they have a smattering of really good players. And that’s all Cleveland should need to think maybe, just maybe, they’ll be the surprise of baseball this season.

Read More: Grady Sizemore (CF – CLE), Shin-Soo Choo (RF – CLE), Michael Brantley (CF – CLE), Carlos Santana (C – CLE), Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers

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