innings out of Burba tonight, or it will be another long night.....
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THE COMEBACK -- Roy Smith's second time on the mound was vastly different from his big-league debut against New York on Saturday, when he gave up four runs (three earned) in 2 1/3 innings and committed an error. Coming to the rescue of Chuck Finley yesterday, Smith yielded two unearned runs and four hits in four innings, as he struck out six. ``The first time was real shaky,'' Smith said. ``Today, I was calmer. The game slowed down a lot for me. Today, I could enjoy it.''
NEVERTHELESS -- Despite Smith's effectiveness, the Tribe is hurting for a long reliever. Smith can't pitch again for at least two more days, and Charlie Manuel needs someone now. ``We've got to have a guy who can give us some distance,'' the manager said. ``Today, I had to ask the bullpen to suck it up. I don't like to use (Steve) Karsay and (Bob) Wickman in those (blowout) situations, but I had no choice.'' Consequently, look for a new pitcher to arrive from Buffalo today. More than likely it will be Jake Westbrook, because he has options. If he is viewed as the solution to a short-term problem, he can be sent back to Triple-A with no complications. Moreover, someone probably will have to make room for Charles Nagy, who is likely to join the team this week or next. The immediate victim: Smith probably will be sent back to Buffalo for further seasoning.
IRON MAN -- For the fifth time in six days, Steve Reed made an appearance out of the bullpen. Over this span, he has given up one run and two hits in 4 2/3 innings. If not for a ballboy in left interfering with a double that became a triple, Reed would not have allowed a run yesterday. Has Reed ever pitched in five of six games? ``Probably,'' he said. ``I remember when we (Colorado) were going for the wild card in '97, I pitched in eight out of 10, something like that. I'm all right, maybe a little fatigued. But we're all fatigued.''
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THE COMEBACK -- Roy Smith's second time on the mound was vastly different from his big-league debut against New York on Saturday, when he gave up four runs (three earned) in 2 1/3 innings and committed an error. Coming to the rescue of Chuck Finley yesterday, Smith yielded two unearned runs and four hits in four innings, as he struck out six. ``The first time was real shaky,'' Smith said. ``Today, I was calmer. The game slowed down a lot for me. Today, I could enjoy it.''
NEVERTHELESS -- Despite Smith's effectiveness, the Tribe is hurting for a long reliever. Smith can't pitch again for at least two more days, and Charlie Manuel needs someone now. ``We've got to have a guy who can give us some distance,'' the manager said. ``Today, I had to ask the bullpen to suck it up. I don't like to use (Steve) Karsay and (Bob) Wickman in those (blowout) situations, but I had no choice.'' Consequently, look for a new pitcher to arrive from Buffalo today. More than likely it will be Jake Westbrook, because he has options. If he is viewed as the solution to a short-term problem, he can be sent back to Triple-A with no complications. Moreover, someone probably will have to make room for Charles Nagy, who is likely to join the team this week or next. The immediate victim: Smith probably will be sent back to Buffalo for further seasoning.
IRON MAN -- For the fifth time in six days, Steve Reed made an appearance out of the bullpen. Over this span, he has given up one run and two hits in 4 2/3 innings. If not for a ballboy in left interfering with a double that became a triple, Reed would not have allowed a run yesterday. Has Reed ever pitched in five of six games? ``Probably,'' he said. ``I remember when we (Colorado) were going for the wild card in '97, I pitched in eight out of 10, something like that. I'm all right, maybe a little fatigued. But we're all fatigued.''
