Realistic expectations for Matt Kemp

Rumors that Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly could be out of work soon make little sense, since he’s not the one who built his flawed yet expensive team, rife with injuries, poor play and a lack of depth.

Kipnis Keeps Things Hoppin' In Cleveland

From Elias: The Indians defeated the Mariners when Jason Kipnis hit a three-run, walk-off home run off Lucas Luetge. That blow extended to ten Cleveland's streak of seasons in which it has had at least one extra-inning walk-off homer, the longest current streak in the majors among teams that have had such a home run this season. The Phillies will have a chance to have a longer current streak: they have treated the hometown fans to an extra-inning walk-off home run in each of the 18 seasons from 1995 to 2012, although they have not yet produced such a shot in 2013.

Kipnis Has A Big Night Against Southpaws

From Elias: Jason Kipnis hit two doubles and a home run in Cleveland's 10-4 victory over Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon. It marked the first time in his 219-game career that Kipnis had three extra base hits in a game. All three of those hits came off of left-handed pitchers, he doubled twice off starter Cole Hamels and added a home run off southpaw reliever Raul Valdez. Prior to Wednesday, Kipnis had only 15 extra base hits in 295 official at bats against lefties (one XBH every 19.7 at bats).

Masterson And Kipnis Collaborate For 1-0 Win

From Elias: Justin Masterson struck out nine batters and went the distance in a 1-0 win over the Yankees in the first game of Monday's doubleheader. The only other Indians pitcher who authored a complete-game 1-0 victory against the Yankees with at least that many strikeouts was Bob Feller, who did so with a no-hitter at Yankee Stadium in 1946 in which he had 11 strikeouts. Jason Kipnis's first-inning home run accounted for the only run of the game. It was the first time in the Indians' 113-year history that they won 1-0 with a home run in the first inning. Two other teams defeated the Yankees by that score on the strength of a first-inning four-bagger: the 1910 Tigers on a home run by Ty Cobb, and the 1965 Angels with a homer by Albie Pearson.

MLB - Kipnis 1st inning monster

MLB - Kipnis starts quick

Jason Kipnis: HR (5); all 5 of his home runs this season have come in the 1st inning (leads MLB)

Hit Parade: Don't panic over slow starts

Tristan H. Cockcroft says not to panic too much over a number of top hitters getting off to slow starts.

Indians set to place OF Bourn (finger) on DL

Michael Bourn's finger is stitched and splinted.

Indians' Kipnis, Santana out vs. White Sox

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis is out of the lineup for Cleveland's game against the White Sox with a sore left elbow.