Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Until Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon went to his bullpen Sunday, Cleveland's April swoon appeared that it would continue. Playing listlessly against the lowly Devil Rays, the Tribe looked certain to lose two of three games.

But then Maddon pulled his starter, James Shields, who was pitching like a modern-day Juan Marichal, and the Indians had a second chance. Garko's three-run home run off Brian Stokes in the ninth inning saved the weekend. Instead of sleep-walking through the series, Cleveland took two of three.

There was still a lot of sleepwalking on the Tribe's part, unfortunately, and that's the concern heading into the next series at Minnesota. First and foremost, the Indians must start playing better defense. At the moment, they're the worst defensive team in the American League.

This time, however, we can't just point our fingers at Jhonny Peralta or any other individual player. To a man, almost all of them look awful in the field -- Grady Sizemore notwithstanding.

So, what do you do? I don't know how you motivate big-league players to start fielding better, but Eric Wedge had better figure it out, or he'll be out of a job soon. I know, I know. I'm the guy who wrote last Monday that I had a special feeling about this club. Actually, I did back then, but I am greatly dismayed by the Indians' serious lapses in the field.

Wedge is still taking heat, as well, for pitching to Alex Rodriguez in the final game of that debacle at Yankee Stadium. Personally, I don't think it's the least bit unfair to turn up the heat on Wedge and his staff. He's the guy who either needs to motivate his players to play better defense, or dump the worst offenders and replace them with others who can catch the ball.

With a few notable exceptions, the Indians pitching has been OK. Even though Joe Borowski's earned run average looks like a cab fare from Erie to Anchorage, he's 7-for-7 in save situations. I kind of like the way he bounced back from his implosion against New York.

For a team that's hitting as poorly as the Tribe is, an 8-7 record doesn't look too bad. But I am reminded of last season when the Indians began slumping early in the year and remained underachievers until all the kids were summoned from Buffalo in August.

One thing that's become crystal clear in recent days is how much the Indians need Travis Hafner. Take him out of the lineup and this is a banjo-hitting club. I hope the Dolan family is watching closely, because the Indians can't afford not to re-sign Hafner, whose contract expires after the 2008 season.

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The answer to the last quickie quiz is: Kerby Farrell. He managed a great Erie Sailors team in the 1940s, and then succeeded Al Lopez as Tribe skipper in 1957. Unfortunately, Bob Lemon's arm went bad and Herb Score got hit in the eye. The Indians finished 6th, and Farrell's career as a big league manager was over.

Today's quiz: name the great Indians centerfielder who turns 40 on May 31.

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-- Kevin Cuneo