Cleveland, Ohio. For the first time since the Indians were told they can’t win the Central, the two combatants hooked up last night at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario. Minnesota wanted to send the Indians a message, but it took time because on the mound last night was Kenta Maeda. If you remember, the last time we saw him, he had the ill fated no-hitter, when Bert Blyleven uttered the words that any pitcher would like to hear, “just win the game!” But they did not win the game for Maeda. Instead, he had to take a no decision. Last night was the first time the number 1 and number 2 teams from one year ago hooked up in an epic battle for Central Division supremacy. The Twins threw the first punch with a 3-2 win, in what many media members think will be the battle for the Central Division crown. Mad Max Kepler hit the game winner.
News and notes. The ironic thing that was strange to me was that an Indians team member was missing. Tito Francona was missing in action. You had Rocco Baldelli in the Twins dugout, but no sign of Tito. I don’t know what is going on there, but I hope Tito is ok, because the two managers are like David and Goliath, and you rarely see the Indians without Tito. I will do some more investigating, and get back to you guys on what I find out. Round two of a three spar series between the two teams is at 6:10 tonight. If you like screaming in your ear, you can listen to Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhouse on Sirius Radio 847, but if you want to hear Dan Gladden and Cory Provus, you can go to AM 710 KXMR, or Sirius Radio Internet 856.
