Cleveland, OH (AP)- Changes seem to be in store for the
Spiders. Jim
Lonborg,
expected to be one of the studs of the rotation was benched and
sent
to AAA, with RHP Tom Phoebus being brought up to take his place.
"Jim
just wasn't always on his game so far," said manager John McGraw.
"While
he generally pitched OK, he just couldn't get through critical at
bats."
Lonborg (1-6, 4.30 ERA) had little to say about his demotion. "I
just
missed, and didn't get the job done." Lonborg is expected to make
4-5
starts in AAA before being reevaluated. A rumor was reported that
Lonborg
may be on the block, but was denied by several team sources. In
other
moves, Cleveland sent OF Rico Carty back to AAA, recalling OF Rick
Reichardt.
McGraw said that "Rick should help us against LHP. We've
been
consistently killed by south paws so far, so we need something to
get
us going." Team officials indicated that changes to the line up were
also
possibilities, but no specifics were issued.
Cleveland News and Notes:
Set 4
Lonborg
returns- Jim Lonborg SP, makes his return to the Cleveland
rotation
this set. After getting 3 starts at AAA, compiling a 2-0
record,
Jim Lonborg has been recalled to the parent club. He is expected
to
resume his regular spot in the rotation, which Tom Phoebus had been in
for
the past few weeks. Team officials said that Lonborg has made
"significant
strides" towards regaining his preseason form.
Offensive
Woes continue- The Spiders continue to have their problems at
the
plate. Hitting instructor Charlie Manuel said "I don't know what to
do
with these guys. They just keep missing. And some have gone real
cold
at the plate." CF Max Carey's average dropped nearly 80 points over
the
past few weeks, and others such as 3B Brooks Robinson and SS Joe
Sewell
have tailed off significantly.
Pitching
is exceeding most expectations- The AL leading pitching staff of
the
Cleveland Spiders continues to amaze. Leading the AL in ERA, the
team
has only a 32-30 record to show for it. "We should be doing much
better
than we are," said manager McGraw. "Our hitting isn't producing,
and
we have some issues in the field." The Spiders lead the AL with a
league
worst 45 errors, and a league worst .232 average.
Changes
in store- C Carlton Fisk is having his playing time reduced.
"Carlton's
been struggling at the plate a bit. He's forcing too often
and
is making mistakes that are translating to his play behind the plate.
For
now, Randy Hundley is going to be the primary catcher." Mr. McGraw
declined
further comment on Fisk, but added; "There are other changes
being
made. Joe (Sewell) is going to get the occasional day off now,
especially
against those danged south paws." Gene Alley is expected to
replace
Sewell on his days off.