Russell Branyan traded to the Mariners

Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports that the Indians have traded the slugging first baseman Russell Branyan to the Seattle Mariners for prospects Juan Diaz and Ezquiel Carrera. The Indians will also either pay the rest of his salary for the year or send a player to be named later. We all knew Branyan would be traded but I don't think anyone thought it would be to the Mariners. This is the fourth time the Indians have traded Branyan. As far as the prospects go, I really don't know them too well. Both are relatively young, 21 and 23 respectively. While neither have amazing stats, Diaz does have 41 RBI at High-A High Desert while Carrera has nine steals and two triples at AAA Tacoma.

The biggest issue is that the Indians now lose their starting first baseman and home run leader. This move means Matt LaPorta will get another chance at the big leagues after a very impressive rebound in Columbus. LaPorta was batting .353 with five homers and 16 RBI in 17 games with the Clippers.

In-Game Notes 6/19/2010

I haven't really had a chance to do this the past couple days, but I would like to continue doing this if I can. I'm going to give some of my thought as the game is progressing. The earlier notes will come first and later notes towards the bottom.

-Lastings Milledge is batting .444 with 2 outs and runners in scoring position. That is an incredible achievement for him and he showed why that is so high. In his first at bat he hustled down the line to beat out that infield single. Even better play by Andrew McCutchen. That is heads up baseball. Also, it proves my point about Jason Donald. He doesn't have the arm to be a shortstop. When Asdrubal gets back he will make a solid 2nd baseman.
-David Huff isn't good, 'Nuff said.
-What a play by Walker at 2nd to rob Jhonny
-A terrific night at the plate for Milledge, as of now only a homer away from the cycle. 4 RBI also and they're only in the 5th!
-RBI double and first major league hit for Alvarez, congrats.
-What a clutch homer by Branyan; that was a laser shot.
-A match-up guy for Luis Valbuena? Really? Not really sure why...
-Peralta got a hit!?! No way!
-Another full count walk for Carlos Santana, very nice.

FINAL SCORE: CLE 4 PIT 6
Well, that was a solid game by both teams. Pitching was a bit lack luster but defense and batting were solid. My players of the game: Andrew McCutchen, Lastings Milledge, and Russell Branyan. McCutchen was on base every single at bat including the big triple in the 8th inning. Milledge was only a home run away from the cycle and had a big 4 RBI game. Russell Branyan kept the Tribe in it with his big 3-run homer.