Indians 8, White Sox 7

Well, that was a barnburner — so much so that I only dimly remember writing that last post about Marte.

At some point I'll have to log on MLB.com and check out Michaels's catch to end the game. The way Hammy called it, there was significant drama, but that's Tom Hamilton: he can order a chicken sandwich, and everyone within earshot would be on the verge of a coronary.

Sounds like home plate umpire Larry Vanover was nothing short of an abomination yesterday, but at least he was equitable about it. A certain awkward form of fairness emerges when the umpire screws both teams with balls-and-strikes calls.

Encouraging: Victor gets four hits and guns down Podsednik at second base. I've had a good feeling about Martinez this year, from the plate, at least. If he's going to throw out baserunners, it's a bonus. Wedge can get more comfortable with him back there, and a lineup with Victor (C) and Garko or Blake (1B) is stronger than one with Shoppach (C) and Victor (1B). I like Shoppach as a player, and I don't object to innings and games at first to keep Martinez fresh. But if Wedge tacks on more innings and games at first than he would otherwise intend, simply because Victor can't throw out any baserunners, we're not as strong a team — and we probably lost a few games in the interim with teams running all over us.

(By the way, if you ever see the nickname "V-Mart" written here, notify the authorities and have me hanged. Please note that I do reserve the right to use the name ironically.)

Discouraging: Blake in the 5-hole leaves nine men on base. Everyone is entitled to a lousy game, I try to remind myself. And we did win the game. But with a hitter of Garko's caliber languishing on the bench, all those LOBs are harder to forgive.

Somewhere between encouraging and discouraging: Joe Borowski — is he Bob Wickman Lite? Yeesh.