Tribe Notes
TRIBE NOTES
From Jacobs Field
Welcome relief: Jason Davis' two scoreless innings of relief Wednesday night was a welcome sight for the Indians' battered bullpen.
"That was definitely a great step for him," manager Eric Wedge said. "He's been throwing the ball very well and it seems that he's more comfortable now that he has an idea what his role is.
"It doesn't happen overnight. The big thing was getting him acclimated to the bullpen."
Davis was strictly a starter as a rookie in Cleveland in 2003, but has worked as a spot starter, in long relief and as a short man while splitting time between the Indians and Triple-A Buffalo the past three seasons.
"J.D. has a position player's mentality in that he wants to participate every day," Wedge said. "It's safe to say that his resilience is a pleasant surprise."
Passing memories: Watching former Indians catcher Josh Bard chase Boston pitcher Tim Wakefield's knuckleballs Wednesday night brought back painful memories for Luis Isaac. Bard was charged with four passed balls and Isaac, a fine defensive catcher 40 years ago in the minors, recalled having many similar games.
"It's like trying to catch a mosquito," said Isaac, the Indians' longtime bullpen coach. "I would rather catch a guy throwing 120 mph.
"I was in the Pacific Coast League in 1967 and had to try and catch Bob Tiefenauer. It was no fun. The first one he threw to me, I couldn't believe it. I never touched it.
"Every time I put down the sign for the knuckler, I made the sign of the cross and said a prayer. It didn't help."
Baselines: Entering play Thursday, catcher Victor Martinez had reached base safely in his last 36 games, including the first 21 this season. ... Over their first 21 games, the Indians hit .300 (72-for-240) from the seventh inning on and .321 (115-for-358) with runners on base.
Associated Press