Lee wins 16th

Cliff Lee pitched 8 shoutout innings against the Blue Jays, and became the first 16 game winner in the American League this season.

Lee gave up 8 hits and waled none, with one strikeout. He lowered his ERA to 2.45
Shin-Soo Choo had three doubles, and Grady Sizemore and Ryan Garko each added two hits apiece.

Peralta, David Dellucci, Sizemore and Garko each drove in a run as the Indians beat the Jays 4-0 Sunday afternoon.

Paul Blyleven, errr I mean Byrd

So Paul Byrd had a little chat with the great Bert Blyleven. And hes unbeaten since that conversation. Byrd has added another win to his record, pitching a complete game and throwing just 94 pitches. His first complete gamein more than a year.

Byrd joked that he might call it the "Blyleven Jr." as a credit to the help he got from former big league pitcher Bert Blyleven on the pitch.

The Blue Jays spent most of the afternoon off balance, struggling to account for Byrd's improved curveball. The bender gives Byrd a fourth quality pitch to use. It's also another factor for batters to think about.

In his last five starts, Byrd hasn't allowed a home run. This from a guy who yielded 23 home runs in his first 17 starts of the season.

"Guys aren't taking swings with cement blocks in their back leg to try to leave the yard anymore," Byrd said. "... That's a nice feeling to get some defensive cuts on your fastball."

Reyes gets the call, responds with excellent debut

Anthony Reyes got the call from AAA ball one month afterbeing aquired in a trade with the Cardinals.

Reyes made his Indians debut against the Blue Jays, and responded with 6 1/3 innings, one run, seven hits and 4 k's.

He leaves the game with a 3-1 lead.

Ryan Garko was not i the starting line up, one night after being pulled in the third inning, after not running out a ground ball. Garko's hit, went down the line and then went foul, the ball rolled back into fair territory, as he stood at home plate watching. Indians Manage Eric Wedge immediately pulled Garko from the game.

Jhonny Peralta, who went 5-5 last night, is currently 0-4 with three strikeouts. Jhonny had five hits in a game earlier this season and becomes only the second Indian to ever achieve 5 hits in a game twice in one season. The other player was a guy named Joe Carter.


Second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera is day-to-day with a left ankle sprain that is not considered serious.

Cliff Lee gets 15th win

It wasnt the pretties of wins, but it counts just the same.

7 innings and 115 pitches, 8 his and 2 walks later Cliff Lee is the American Leagues first 15 game winner.

The Indians seem to have the Rays number, they are 5-0 against Tampa this season and 60-26 overall.

Lee was backed by Home Runs from Cabrera and David Dellucci.

Kelly Shoppach...Team MVP?

Grady's been very good, I would like to see that avg a lil higher, but hes had a All Star season. Cliff Lee likely is the front runner for the AL Cy Young. Ben Francisco has been pretty good. BUT Kelly Shoppach, the back up catcher, forced into the starters role with the elbow injury to Victor Martinez, has been Brilliant.

He has handled the pitching staff wonderfully and his defense has been better than advertised. But its his hitting that has taken his game to a whole new level.

We all knew Kelly was a very good receiver. We all thought that he could handle the bat enough to not embarrass himself, but did anyone think he would have put up the numbers that he has? As of right now Kelly is hitting .280 with 12 Hrs and 35 RBI in 214 AB's

Cleveland (48-61) at Minnesota (61-49), Sunday, 2:10 p.m. ET

Minneapolis --- Here are today's lineups for the Indians and Twins game at the Metrodome.

Indians: CF Grady Sizemore, 3B Jamey Carroll, RF Ben Francisco, SS Jhonny Peralta, C Kelly Shoppach, DH Ryan Garko, LF Franklin Gutierrez, 1B Andy Gonzalez, 2B Asdrubal Cabrera and RHP Matt Ginter.

Twins: RF Denard Span, 2B Nick Punto, C Mike Redmond, DH Justin Morneau, LF Jason Kubel, 1B Mike Lamb, 3B Brian Buscher, SS Brendan Harris, CF Carlos Gomez and LHP Francisco Liriano.

Martinez, Hafner, Barfield and Westbrook updates

Victor Martinez is close to returning to the Indians. VMart has been on the DL since June 12, following surgery on his elbow. He could begin taking batting practice early next week and the head off for a rehab assignment late in the week.

Manager Eric Wedge said the team will take it easy with Martinez, who finished seventh in American League MVP voting last year.

"Depending on how rehab goes will depend on how we work him back into play," he said. "It won't be normal. He won't be catching every single day."

Martinez is expected to play some first base and serve as the designated hitter from time to time.

Kelly Shoppach has earned the right to play, and Ryan Garko has been inconsistent.

As for Travis Hafner, The Indians slugger will go Thursday for a strength test. The Indians want to see if hes 75% stronger than the last test. He could beging soft tossing and hitting off a tee, if the test provides good information.

"We can be a bit more aggressive in our hitting progression if his strength is approximately 75 percent of his left shoulder or higher," Indians trainer Soloff said.

Hafner has been on the disabled list since May 30 with a strained right shoulder.

Josh Barfield has been cleared for fielding, throwing, and running. It is hoped Barfield will hit soft-toss early next week and take full batting practice with the team in Toronto before going on rehabilitation.

Jake Westbrook, is out for the season following Tommy John reconstruction surgery on his right elbow June 12. Its reported that he is soing very well.