The Indians season may be over, but we're not done yet over here at BurningRiverBaseball.com. We will continue to produce unique pieces daily during the off season. Coming later today will be the Indians top ten defensive plays from 2011 and over the next month there will be statistical updates from this year, discussions of team MVP/league MVP and an update of the contracts section of the site to tell you who will be back next year and who will be gone. We will also keep you updated with any big news during the offseason as we prepare for 2012. Keep coming back as Burning River Baseball will still be here with all your Cleveland Indians needs.

The 2011 Cleveland Indians season has ended with silence after a very exciting first half. The Tribe went 20-8 (.714) over the first 28 games, giving hope to a fan base that hasn't had much to cheer for during the last 3 seasons. During that stretch they had two separate win streaks of more than 7 games including sweeps of both Boston and Detroit. Few expected this kind of performance from the Indians this season and the dream was to be shattered very quickly. Over the rest of the season Cleveland went 60-74 (.448). The hot start enabled the Tribe to grab an early lead in the AL Central and keep it every game from April 8th to June 14th. The battle for the Central Division crown then ensued between the Indians and Tigers during the following weeks. While Indians fans wish it could have lasted a little longer, the Tribe did put up a fight, holding at least a share of first until July 22nd when they were unable to keep up with the red hot Tigers. Series losses to White Sox, Angels and Royals placed the Indians in a solid second place and the 10 straight losses to Detroit to end the season cemented their position.

Unsurprisingly, the Indians success and failure corresponded with a rash of injuries that plagued the team all season. While Grady Sizemore started the season on the disabled list, he was the only starting player on the list at the time. The first big player to go down was Mitch Talbot. While it may not seem like a big deal, Talbot had played extremely well the season before and had pitched well in his first two starts. After the injury he was never the same. His first start back was probably his worst in his short career as he went 3 innings and gave up 8 earned runs. Carlos Carrasco was injured about a week after Talbot, extremely taxing the Indians rotational depth. Jeanmar Gomez and Alex White were called up in their stead, but White was injured after only 3 starts and was never to pitch for the Indians again. Around this same time, Travis Hafner strained his oblique and Grady Sizemore returned to the DL with another knee injury. There are very few teams in Major League Baseball who could still compete with two of their star players missing, but the pain was only beginning for the Indians. Within a month and a half Matt LaPorta, Shin-Soo Choo and Fausto Carmona all hit the DL as well. Before Choo came back from the DL, Sizemore, Talbot and Carrasco all made return trips. 

During this hard stretch, the Indians decided to go all in to try to win the Central. Trades with Colorado and the Cubs saw the exit of Alex White and Drew Pomeranz in exchange for the services of Kosuke Fukudome and Ubaldo Jimenez. These players possibly could have helped if the rest of the team had maintained, but shortly after their entrance, the rest of the team fell apart. Michael Brantley, who had been the Indians second most productive player to that point of the season broke a bone in his hand and was announced out for the year. Jason Kipnis, a rising rookie star fresh off of home runs in 5 consecutive games tore his oblique and strained his hamstring. He managed a short comeback at the end of the year, but by then it was too late. Josh Tomlin, who was the second best Indians starter this year, missed his last 6 starts due to elbow soreness.

The greatest piece of this Indians team in 2011 was undoubtedly what became known as the "Bullpen Mafia." While the rest of the team struggled with injuries and slumps, the "Bullpen Mafia" powered through the season, playing just about as perfect as a bullpen can. Chris Perez anchored the pen as the closer, but was not necessarily the best pitcher. Joe Smith had the best ERA and was so much more than a right handed specialist. Vinnie Pestano has the composure of a 10 year vet, but the energy level of the rookie he is. Tony Sipp was the perfect set up man and led the team in holds, while Rafael Perez was still available for any extra lefties that needed to be faced. The final year long bullpen member was Chad Durbin, who, while he struggled, still managed to pitch in 68 innings, more than any other reliever. His numbers are not good, but he saved the Indians numerous wins by pitching multiple innings in lost cause games, saving the talented members of the bullpen for more important situations.

Next season looks to be a lot different than this one. Already changes has been made with the bench and pitching coaches deciding to retire. Indians management has also already announced plans to add to the team by spending competitively in the free agent market. On the other hand some things will stay the same. Manny Acta has already been extended for 2012 and every integral member of the team is signed on for next year. Only the 2011 free agent pick ups like Durbin and Jack Hannahan have expiring contracts. One thing that will be completely different is that the Indians won't be able to surprise anyone. After the way they played in the first half, everyone knows this team has what it takes to win the division. All it should take is a little luck and some smart off-season moves and hopefully next year will be even more exciting than this year was.

Player of the Game

Zach McAllister had an outstanding outing tonight, winning him his only "Player of the Game" award of the season. McAllister's score of 4.37 comprised of 5 innings pitched. He allowed 6 hits, just one for extra bases. McAllister struck out 4 and walked only one batter. The one run that was given up while McAllister was on the mound was not earned due to a fielding error by Ezquiel Carrera.

Feathers Up

The Indians struck first tonight with a run in the 3rd inning. Matt LaPorta reached on a walk and the next batter, Ezquiel Carrera, tripled him home. The Indians had a runner on third with just one out and were unable to add any more runs.

The Indians were able to add to their one-run lead in the 4th inning. Asdrubal Cabrera and Travis Hafner led the inning off with singles. Carlos Santana walked, and Jack Hannahan drove in a run on a single. The Indians scored a second run in the inning when a double-play ball off the bat of Matt LaPorta was poorly played by the Detroit defense. The ruling was an error, all were safe, and a run score. After 4 innings, the Indians had a 3-1 advantage.

The Indians were able to tie the game in the top of the 8th inning after Travis Hafner doubled, both Carlos Santana and Shelley Duncan walked, and Jack Hannahn hit a sacrifice fly.

Feathers Down

I guess Manny Acta did not want to see the last game of the season. Acta was ejected in the middle of the first inning after arguing about a called third strike on Asdrubal Cabrera. Maybe Acta was paying tribute to bench coach, Tim Tolman, allowing him to manage his last game as a coach in baseball. Tolman is retiring at the end of the season, mostly due to his battle with Parkinson's Disease. First base coach Sandy Alomar, Jr., will probably replace Tolman as bench coach in the 2012 season.

Joe Smith and the rest of the bullpen had a great season, but pitched horribly tonight. Smith came on in relief in the 6th inning. He gave up 3 singles, walked 2, and gave up 2 runs. Zach Putnam didn't pitch much better in the 7th inning. Putnam gave up a lead-off triple to Wilson Betemit, who scored on a wild pitch. Putnam pitched 0.2 innings, and gave up one run on 2 hits. Between the two relievers tonight, a 2-run lead was blown and the Tigers were able to take a 4-3 lead after 7 innings. The Indians were able to tie the game in the top of the 8th, but that didn't last long. Vinnie Pestano pitched in the bottom of the 8th inning and gave up a lead-off home run to Jhonny Peralta.

Final Score: Cleveland Indians 4 - Detroit Tigers 5

Player of the Game

Jim Thome provided the Tribe with some offense tonight as he won his 2nd "Player of the Game" award since rejoining the Indians. Thome singled, doubled, and walked. He also scored 2 runs and drove in one, giving him a PoG score of 4.06.

Feathers Up

The Indians provided some offense tonight, scoring in 4 consecutive innings. They scored one run in the fourth inning on a Shelly Duncan double. Their run in the fifth inning on a wild pitch by Max Scherzer. In the sixth inning, the Indians scored two runs on a Jason Donald single. The Indians scored 2 more runs in the seventh inning. Jim Thome doubled in a run and Lonnie Chisenhall hit an RBI single.

Once again, Nick Hagadone looked strong in relief for the Indians. Hagadone pitched 1.2 innings. He did not allow a hit, struck out 2, and picked a runner off of first base. Hagadone has been fantastic in his last 5 outings.

Zach Putnam also had a good outing out of the bullpen. Putnam pitched the 8th inning, retiring all three Tiger hitters he faced and struck out one.

Feathers Down

The Indians fell behind early when starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez gave up 3 runs in the first inning. Gomez pitched to 8 batters, giving up 4 hits and hitting a batter. The Tigers were able to add one more one in the second inning when Wilson Betemit hit a solo shot off of Gomez. In the fourth inning, Gomez gave up 2 more runs on a line drive that cleared the fence off the bat of Delmon Young. Gomez ended the night pitching 4.2 innings, giving up 8 runs on 10 hits.

Final Score: Cleveland Indians 6 - Detroit Tigers 9

Player of the Game

The Indians total team score of -17.17 made this game the worst of the season for the Tribe and I don't think anyone can really question that. With that in mind it is hard to give anyone a 'Player of the Game' award, so I will just mention the two players who came out of the game with a positive score. Matt LaPorta lead the team with a score of 0.72 for his 2 singles, while Jered Head had a single of his own for a score of 0.33 as a pinch hitter. It was a great effort by everyone on the team.

Feathers Up

We got to see Corey Kluber in his first extended action tonight as he went 2+ innings against the Central Division Champion Tigers. The first two innings went very well as he struck out 2 and didn't allow a hit. His attempt at a third inning wasn't so successful as he allowed hits to all four batters he faced and all scored without an out being recorded. Josh Judy allowed two of those runs when he gave up a home run to Delmon Young

Relax, tonight's Indians team that got killed by the Tigers will not be the 2012 Cleveland Indians. Absent from the lineup today were a plethora of starters including Carlos Santana, Michael Brantley, Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo. While the bullpen mafia is still available in the pen, the relievers who pitched tonight have nothing to do with them. Josh Judy and Corey Kluber are both AAA caliber players that are just using up innings waiting for the season to end.

Feathers Down

Lou Marson tries to block the plate from behind it. Maybe he is actually trying to keep the player from going back to the dugout after they score. He did it once early in the game to day and has done it on multiple occasions in the past. Anyone who thinks Marson is defensively superior to Carlos Santana is lying to their self. The numbers have shown that as Marson has played more, his caught stealing percentage has decreased to a more normal .377. More noteably he has allowed 5 passed balls in 72 starts, more than Santana has in 87.

Every Indians pitcher allowed at least 4 runs tonight, so you'll have that.

Final Score: Cleveland Indians 0 - Detroit Tigers 14

Summary:

The Indians have lost seven straight to the Tigers, including consecutive three-game sweeps in August and September to take them out of the running in the AL Central. Detroit has outscored the Tribe, 78-59. The Tigers clinched the AL Central on Sept. 16. They've won 27 of their last 36 games. Victor Martinez is hitting .311 (14-for-45) with three homers and 15 RBI against the Tribe this year. Fister (2-1), Scherzer (2-0) and Porcello (1-1) have seen plenty of the Tribe this year.

Pitching Matchups:

RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (4-3, 4.62) vs. RHP Doug Fister (10-13, 2.94) Tonight at 7:05 p.m.

RHP Jeanmar Gomez (5-2, 3.52) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (14-9, 4.37) Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.

RHP Zach McAllister (0-1, 5.83) vs. RHP Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.76) Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.

Tigers News/Notes:

• 1B Miguel Cabrera precipitated a couple of skipped heartbeats when he experienced a few moments of dizziness while batting in the seventh inning. Cabrera, who hit his 29th home run of the season with a man on in the first, got a visit from manager Jim Leyland and head trainer Kevin Rand after taking three straight balls. He remained in the game and lined out to left on a 3-2 pitch. Leyland took him out of the game as a precaution.  Cabrera went 2-for-3 in the game and is challenging for the batting title with a .341 average.

• DH Victor Martinez joined 1B Miguel Cabrera with 100 RBI when he hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning. It gave him 101 RBI and he and Cabrera made it nine times since 1961 that Tiger teammates have breached 100 RBI. Cabrera has 103.

• RF/1B Don Kelly gave Detroit some breathing room with a three-run home run in the sixth. Kelly came in to play right for RF Magglio Ordonez in the top of the sixth, shifting to first in the seventh when 1B Miguel Cabrera was removed after going through a spell of dizziness at bat. Kelly has seven home runs this season, three this month.

• RHP Brad Penny is struggling to make a case to be included in Detroit's postseason rotation, if not the roster. Penny wiped runners off the bases in the first two innings with double plays, but in the fifth gave up an RBI double plus an RBI single to the eighth and ninth hitters in Baltimore's batting order, tying the score at 3. He was removed after giving up a one-out double in the sixth. Penny has not allowed less than three earned runs in consecutive starts since June 26-July 1.

• RHP Al Alburquerque showed manager Jim Leyland what he wanted to see, effective pitching in back-to-back games, to confirm his spot on Detroit's postseason roster providing he reports no unusual effects on Monday. Alburquerque, who worked a scoreless eighth Saturday, was brought in after RHP Brad Penny gave up a one-out double in the sixth. He got a groundout on a 3-2 pitch and a strikeout on a 2-2 slider. He had been battling a hip problem until pitching Thursday night.

• SS Jhonny Peralta hit his 20th home run of the season, a solo shot leading off the eighth. His two hits put him at .301 after he had recently dipped under that mark for one of the few periods this season. He now has 84 and is at the high side of the figures Detroit was hoping to get when it signed him to a two-year deal with an option during the winter.

• 3B Wilson Betemit, out of action since Sept. 16 with a left knee sprain, will return to action Monday night against the Tribe.  Betemit had essentially been a platoon partner with 3B Brandon Inge before getting hurt sliding into home plate. He's started against right-handed pitchers.

• 2B Carlos Guillen is looking less and less likely to be on manager Jim Leyland's roster for the divisional round of the AL playoffs.

Player of the Game

Shelley Duncan won his 2nd "Player of the Game" in 2 games with a score of 4.48. Duncan singled in the first inning and hit a 2-run home run in the third. Duncan now has 11 award on the year, tying him for 2nd best on the team. This is very impressive seeing that he spent part of the year in the minor leagues and was never really considered to be an everyday player.

Feathers Up

The Indians came out swinging in the first inning. They scored 2 runs on 4 hits, singles by Kosuke Fukudome, Travis Hafner, Shelley Duncan, and Lonnie Chisenhall.

Shelley Duncan continues to stay hot. Duncan homered on a line drive to left field, giving him 2 more RBI on the season. This was Duncan's 7th home run in the month of September.

Fausto Carmona concluded his 2011 season, pitching 6.1 innings. Carmona didn't exactly have his stuff today, but he kept his team in the game. Carmona gave up 4 runs on 7 hits, striking out 3.

The Indians paid tribute to Jim Thome by letting him play third base in the top of the 9th inning. Thome started his career as an Indian at third base in 1991. Thome only played third base today for one pitch as the fans gave him a standing ovation both when he entered the field and when he ran off the field.

Feathers Down

The Indians began their last home game of the season with a horrible play. Shelley Duncan came in too far on a fly ball, which then went over his head, allowing Denard Span to get a double. The was a routine fly ball that should have been caught. Span would later come around to score in the inning.

Tony Sipp was unable to keep the Twins from scoring in the top of the 10th inning. Sipp gave up a home run, a double, and a single, allowing Minnesota to score 2 runs and win the game.

Final Score: Minnesota Twins 6 - Cleveland Indians 4

Player of the Game

Game 1:

Jason Kipnis won the 'Player of the Game' in game one with 2 hits, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Kipnis walked to start off the 6 run 6th inning. Shelley Duncan also had a great game with 3 RBI on a double and a sac fly.

Game 2:

Shelley Duncan won the second 'Player of the Game' of the day with a score of 5.14 derived from his 3 RBI knocked in with a double and a single. He also scored a run Duncan's score of 9.37 was the highest total score for the day.

Feathers Up

The Indians swept the double header and will look to sweep the series with a win in tomorrow's game. Their current 4 game winning streak is the Tribe's best since May. In Game one Zach Putnam earned his first Major League win and in game two, Nick Hagadone matched him with his first Major League win.

The Tribe benefited from the big inning in both games as they scored 11 combined runs in the two 6 innings. Shelley Duncan was integral in much of the Indians scoring, knocking in 3 of those 11 runs in the 6th and 6 total runs over both games.

Feathers Down

Game 1:

Trevor Crowe hurt his shoulder on an attempted diving catch in the first inning of the first game and has been declared out for the season. Kosuke Fukudome was supposed to get the first game completely off, but was forced into action due to the injury. He did play well on short notice though with an RBI single that he ended up scoring on.

Game 2:

If Crowe's injury in game one wasn't enough, Asdrubal Cabrera was forced to leave the game early in game 2 after taking a pitch off his elbow. There has been no further news at this point as to how severe the injury is.

Final Scores

Game 1: Cleveland Indians 8 - Minnesota Twins 2

Game 2: Cleveland Indians 7 - Minnesota Twins 6

Player of the Game

Jim Thome won 'Player of the Game' on his night with a score of 5.86 powered by an opposite field double and a deep home run to center field. Thome also hit a single and knocked in three runs. Matt LaPorta also had a nice night with 3 hits, 2 RBI and a score of 3.70.

Feathers Up

Tonight was Jim Thome's night as the Indians celebrated his career with the team and announced plans for a statue of him in center field placed in approximately the same spot as his momentous 511 foot home run. This honor has been a long time coming as Jim Thome is the greatest power hitter in Indians history.

Tribe relievers improved in a stat they have been struggling with of late by stranded every runner that was left on base by a previous pitcher. Frank Herrmann left the bases loaded when he came in for Justin Masterson and both Rafael Perez and Joe Smith stranded their inherited runners. Chris Perez also pitching well, earning the win and pitching a clean inning where all three batters popped out in the infield.

Feathers Down

Justin Masterson didn't exactly finish the season strong, pitching in one of his least memorable starts this season. Masterson walked 6 and hit 2 batters giving him 8 extra base runners he shouldn't have had to deal with. Regardless of how his season ends, he has proved this year that he has become exactly what everyone involved with the Indians hoped he would turn in to and will be the ace going into 2012. Masterson is scheduled to start the last game of the season, but does not have to make that start due to the extra starting pitchers on the Indians roster.

Final Score: Cleveland Indians 6 - Minnesota Twins 5

Pitching Matchups:

 RHP Carl Pavano (8-13, 4.40) vs. RHP Justin Masterson (12-10, 3.15) tonight at 7:05

LHP Scott Diamond (1-5, 4.81) vs. LHP David Huff (2-6, 4.20) Saturday at 1:05 p.m.

LHP Francisco Liriano (9-9, 4.77) vs. RHP Mitch Talbot (2-6, 6.33) Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

RHP Liam Hendriks (0-2, 6.23) vs. RHP Fausto Carmona (7-15, 5.23) Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

Summary:

The Twins have lost 16 of their past 19 games. Danny Valencia is hitting .294 (10-for-34) with two homers and seven RBI against the Indians this year. Pavano is 1-1 against the Indians this year. At the end of the most recent trip, the Indians swept a three-game series from the Twins. They outscored them, 23-15. Asdrubal Cabrera is hitting .327 (17-for-52) with three homers and 11 RBI against the Twins this year. Masterson is 1-0, with a 1.53 ERA, allowing five earned runs in 291/3 innings, against Minnesota this season.

Twins News/Notes:

• 1B Justin Morneau is suffering from his second debilitating concussion in the last 14 months, and his status for next season won't be known at least until February, when he reports to Fort Myers, Fla., for spring training.  Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP, might not ever play first base again.

• Before Thursday's game against Seattle, manager Ron Gardenhire took a look at the lineup card that had just been spit out of his printer. "Well, that's not a good lineup card," he said, tearing up the card and throwing it into the trash bin next to his desk. "Even the computer is sick." Because of injuries (the Twins have used the disabled list 24 times this season and shut down three players for the rest of the season) Gardenhire is on his last stack of official Major League Baseball lineup cards. That's the first time it's ever happened, he said. "I can't even tell you how many I've had to change (the lineup card)," he said. "It's crazy. It's really crazy."

• C Joe Mauer, shut down for the season since being diagnosed with pneumonia, was resting at home Thursday, but team trainer Rick McWane said he might join the Twins for their last series of the season, Monday through Wednesday against the Royals at Target Field.

• OF Jason Kubel hasn't played since Sept. 16 because of a left foot sprain sustained on May 30 in Detroit. Still, he told manager Ron Gardenhire he wants to be available as a pinch hitter this weekend

• C Drew Butera snapped a 0-for-21 skid with his RBI single in the fifth Thursday. Before that hit, Twins' catchers, Butera, Rene Rivera and Joe Mauer, were a combined 0-for-27. Butera hadn't hit safely since Sept. 2 at Anaheim.

Twins Injuries:

• CF Denard Span (migraine symptoms) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 14. He missed two months earlier this season because of a concussion. He resumed baseball activities Sept. 3 and took batting practice Sept. 7. On Sept. 16, Span went through his third consecutive workout without experiencing any problems. He was activated Sept. 21 and played four innings as the Twins eased him back into action. He sat out Sept. 22 but expects to play tonight.

• OF Jason Repko (concussion symptoms) was hit in the helmet by a pitch Sept. 18, and he hasn't played since. There is a chance he won't return this season.

• DH/OF Jason Kubel (sore left foot) left the Sept. 16 game, and he didn't play Sept. 17-22. He might be able to return as a pinch hitter before the end of the season.

• C Joe Mauer (pneumonia) was diagnosed Sept. 16, and he requires at least two weeks of rest. He's out for the rest of the season.

• SS Tsuyoshi Nishioka (sore right oblique) did not play Sept. 6-8. He was back in the lineup Sept. 9, but he didn't play Sept. 10-14. He was shut down for the season on Sept. 16.

• 1B Justin Morneau (left knee surgery and right foot surgery in September 2011) did not play Aug. 29-Sept. 18 due to a mild concussion and left shoulder stiffness. On Sept. 19, he had season-ending surgeries to remove a cyst in his left knee and bone spurs from his right foot.

• 2B Alexi Casilla (strained right hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list July 28. He was activated Aug. 12 but then was placed back on DL Aug. 13 after aggravating the injury. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Fort Myers on Aug. 29, but he was re-injured in that game. He was running at Target Field in mid-September, and he hopes to be activated before the end of the season.

• RHP Nick Blackburn (right lateral forearm strain) went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 22. An MRI revealed an entrapped nerve caused by inflammation. He was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Sept. 4, ending his season.