Factory Lines: Cleveland Indians, Michael Bourn, Johnny Manziel, Brett Favre, Urban Meyer, Tommy Tuberville and Kansas City Royals’ Internet Ticket Problems
Sep 18, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Jose Ramirez (11) is congratulated after scoring a run during the thirteenth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Aviles is the hero, after hitting a bases-loaded sac fly in the top of the 13th inning to score Jose Ramirez. The Indians took three of four from the Astros and won the season series, 5-2.
This win was a must have for two reasons. The Tribe has three games up next on the road against the lowly Twins. After that, the Royals could come into town. Kansas City has a four game lead on the Indians, but the two teams still need to make up that suspended contest from earlier in the month.
• The good Danny Salazar pitched in Houston and gave up one run on five hits in 7 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out nine.
Since returning to the rotation Aug. 17, Salazar’s allowed two or fewer runs in five of his seven starts in that span, with the only real mar on his record a six-run implosion against the Angels.
• Michael Bourn hit an inside the park home run, and then had the play overturned. Bourn later advanced to third, and then was thrown out on the next play when Michael Brantley grounded to first. Bourn didn’t get into a rundown, which would’ve allowed Ramirez to advance to third.
After the play, with the Indians’ season hanging in the balance, a lot of fans were wondering why the Tribe is paying $13.5 million to a player, who was supposed to real havoc on the basepaths, make a wrong decision, as the absolute worst time.
• The Royals had a little trouble selling postseason tickets online yesterday, and who wouldn’t expect a little trouble. The old Interweb wasn’t even around the last time KC played in the postseason, which was 1985.
Sep 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) scrambles against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns
• Johnny Manziel was on the field for just three plays last Sunday, but you wouldn’t know it from watching the television broadcast.
WFNY’s Will Gibson did a humorous piece on the matter, titled, “An Exhaustive Analysis of Every Time Johnny Manziel was on TV Sunday.”
• Because Cleveland needed a Brett Favre opinion…The old Gunslinger said in an video interview that Brian Hoyer deserves to be the starter, via Sports Illustrated. Thanks Gunslinger.
• Terrance West is thirsty…for yards against his hometown team, via the Baltimore Sun.
• Under Armour thinks Isaiah Crowell can be a star. Why else would they sign him to an endorsement deal?
Ohio State
Urban Meyer talked to the media Wednesday and made a point of mentioning that Cincinnati coach Tommy Tuberville said his Bearcat receivers are the best he’s had. Meyer believes this is noteworthy because Tuberville coached at Auburn and Ole’ Miss.
Mekale McKay leads the Bearcats with nine catches for 175 yards and a touchdown. Johnny Holton has three catches for 68 yards, good enough for a 22.7 yards per catch average.
Sep 12, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Tommy Tuberville on the sidelines against the Toledo Rockets at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
• Hard to believe, but Tuberville is 2-0 against Meyer. In 2006, Tuberville and the 11th ranked Auburn Tigers handed Forida–then the No. 2–Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin and Swamp Nation a huge loss. The same happened again the next year, with a far less talented Auburn team, via Eleven Warriors.
• Meyer also updated the status of his 2015 recruiting class. He said there are only four or five spots left in the 2015 class. According to Rivals.com, Meyer’s 2015 class is ranked 14th in the country. Alabama is first, while Penn St. is the top ranked Big Ten team (seventh).