2 Dollar Tribe Report/2 Dollar Bill Josh Elmore
Indians first baseman Jeff Clement provided many of the fireworks the Indians needed on Independence Day to beat the visiting Louisville Bats 6-1. He went 3-4 with 2 homeruns and a double as well as having an RBI. I caught up with Jeff Clement post game and we talked about his big night at the plate. The Indians being 55-31, The Tribe’s big lead in the division and what it means to him to play and win on the Fourth of July.
Me: So, Jeff The Tribe is now 55-31 and riding an 8 game winning streak to lead the division by 12 and a half games over second place Columbus. What has enabled The Tribe to play so well here lately and for that matter since they got off to a 6-9 start this season?
Jeff: Starting pitching, clutch hitting and solid defense. Every night we have faith and trust that whoever our starting pitcher is whether it’s Rudy or Jeff Locke or Justin Wilson is that they can and will go out and give us 6-7 innings of solid baseball. And then we have faith that whoever gets called in from the bull pen will come in and do a great job for us. Secondly, we have been clutch hitting all year long and that’s key because it enables us to put runs on the board, get off to early leads in games, and put pressure on the other teams hitters and pitchers. And lastly, we have been playing solid defense all year long which helps our pitchers play deeper into games.
Me: Jeff, you went 3-4 with two no doubt home runs, a double, and a RBI tonight continuing your hot hitting that you have been on since mid-May. What has enabled you to hit the ball so well this season?
Jeff: This is the fourth year that I have been able to work with Jeff Branson, the Indians hitting coach, he knows what I need to hear, what I need to work on and what he needs me to do in the pre-game batting cage. He tells me when I’m doing something good and he gives me pointers and chews me out when I’m not doing so well.
Me: Jeff, lastly, what does it mean to play and win a baseball game on July 4th?
Jeff: First thank you to all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who are over sees doing their patriotic duty to their country. Without them we wouldn’t be here today. It’s a huge honor to be able to play a game for a living and we can only do that because of the great men and women in the United States Armed Forces. What it means to win on this day is we get another win moving forward into the rest of the season.
The Indians won 6-1 over the Louisville Bats on Wednesday July 4th, 2012. This is their 8th straight win. Come on out today, Thursday July 5th and watch the Indianapolis Indians play as they continue their playoff push in 2012.
