Bullpen is having problems

[RockSports17]

Link

The Indians have already reached one of their objectives.

They finished April with a winning record for the first time in four seasons under manager Eric Wedge, but their bigger goals of contending and making the postseason are still cloaked in uncertainty because they keep playing games like Sunday night's against Texas.

Jake Westbrook looked great for six innings. When he faltered in the seventh, the bullpen turned a 4-2 lead into a 8-4 loss at Jacobs Field.

If an inconsistent rotation and an unsettled bullpen aren't enough to worry Wedge, Chicago and Detroit keep winning in the American League Central. While the Indians finished 13-12 in April, the White Sox went 17-7 and the Tigers 16-9.

It should also be mentioned, while a hint of despair still hangs in the air, that hot-hitting Ben Broussard left the game with a bruised right knee in the eighth inning. Vicente Padilla hit him with a pitch in the fourth inning.

"We knew this wasn't going to be a two-team race," said Wedge. "Everyone expected Chicago to be a good team. I knew Detroit would be a factor as well."

As for the Tribe's April, Wedge said: "To come out of this month with a winning record is a positive, but by no means are we satisfied. I don't think we're even close to playing our best baseball."

Westbrook is 0-2 with a 7.89 ERA (19 runs in 21 2/3 innings) in his last four starts. After holding Texas to one run through six innings, Westbrook gave up three straight hits to start the seventh before Jason Davis (1-1) arrived in his ongoing education as a reliever.

Hank Blalock rocked Westbrook with a leadoff double to center. Ground-ball singles through the left and right side of the infield by Kevin Mench and Brad Wilkerson made it 4-2 as Davis relieved.

Davis recorded two quick outs, but walked Gary Matthews after having him down, 0-2, in the count. Michael Young hit a two-run single to make it 4-4. Mark Teixeira doubled down the right-field line for a 5-4 lead.

Thoughts?

[Timah]

Well i'm not gonna say Westbrook pitched great but yes the Bullpen is pitching like trash right now. Then theres "Gotta make it interesting" Bob Wickman.

[CougarBaseball]

yea... Westbrook pitched sweet and same with our other startes

we just have no relievers right now..

someones got to step up and get some saves