Cliff Lee Doesn't Like to Move, Hates Carlos Gomez' Bunting Prowess

The 2008 season has been a great one for Cliff Lee, despite the fact that just about everything else has gone wrong when it comes to the Indians team he plays for. Lee has rebounded from a horrible 2007 campaign to go 11-2 with a 2.43 ERA this season, and was just named the AL starter in the All Star Game. So you would think that he'd probably be in a pretty good mood, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Apparently the success and newfound fame has gone to Cliff's head, because he doesn't think he should have to move around or field the ball anymore. That can be the only reason why he got mad at the Twins' Carlos Gomez on Sunday after Gomez laid down a bunt in the first inning.

Gomez attempted to bunt on an 0-2 pitch in the first inning but pushed the ball too close to the mound. Lee fielded the ball, threw him out, then said something to Gomez after the play.

Lee and Gomez then jawed at each other after Gomez reached on an infield single in the third.

"I was just trying to do my job and he ... jumped on me,'' Gomez said after the Twins won 4-3. "He say, 'Stop bunting.' But not like that. With bad language.

"And I say, 'You do your job and I do my job.' My coaches tell me what we have to do."

"I know he won't be mad when he throws me four sliders in a row,'' Gomez said. "It's your job to do whatever, throw me 10 sliders in a row. If I strike out, OK. I get you next time. But don't be mad when I bunt.''

Yeah, I'm not sure why Lee would get upset with Gomez here. Isn't a batter helping you out when he tries to bunt on an 0-2 count? After all, if he fouls it off, he's out. That's what a pitchers goal is, isn't it? To get the hitter out? Does Cliff just not want to have to leave the mound or be forced to make extra throws?

Maybe he just hasn't paid any attention to Carlos this season, because if he had, he'd know that the rook attempts to lay down about two bunts a game. You see, speed is his greatest asset, and by bunting he can utilize that speed to get on base. Just like how Cliff has completely abandoned throwing breaking pitches this season and become a fastball/changeup pitcher after seeing hitters take those breaking balls and smack them 450 feet on a routine basis.

So come on, Cliff, let the kid do his job and you do yours. That way everybody wins. Well, except you, because you play for Cleveland.