Notes: Chemistry, leadership are key

When Wedge analyzes his team's frustratingly disappointing first half of the season, he points to a lack of clubhouse leadership as a powerful factor.

"What's happened is we've gotten to the point [as an organization] where the younger players are the ones who have to step up [and assume leadership responsibilities]," he said. "I don't think anybody's really taken hold of that. Last year we had guys like [Kevin] Millwood and [Scott] Elarton, veteran guys who were more vocal."

The Tribe's hope was that such core young position players as Travis Hafner, Victor Martinez and Grady Sizemore would step into those roles this season, but that's not how it's played out.

The problem is that for a young player to assume such a responsibility is often a difficult task.

"It's tough for young people to get in front of their peers and put themselves out there like that," Wedge said.

The lack of youthful leadership sources isn't unique to the Indians.

"In the game in general, there's not too many leadership personalities out there," Wedge said. "That's the generation we're in."

Wedge knows that his club has had bigger problems than just chemistry and leadership -- such on-the-field issues as a shaky defensive game and bullpen chief among them. But he thinks that a stronger clubhouse would alleviate some of those concerns.

"You can win games [without strong chemistry]," he said, "but it's tough to win championships without it."

Iron man: Sizemore has been laboring at the plate this month, to the tune of a .157 (8-for-51) average and two hits in his last 21 at-bats.

But whereas most players might be given a day off to clear their heads during such a skid, Sizemore is penciled in at the top of Wedge's lineup each and every day.

"If I ask him [if he wants a day off]," Wedge said, "he looks at me like I've got three heads."

Sizemore hasn't missed a game this season, and he's started 125 straight games overall -- a rare feat that doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon. He hasn't missed a start since last Aug. 25 at Tampa Bay.

"I'd much rather be in there every day than have days off," Sizemore said.

What of the notion of taking a day off to work out kinks behind the scenes?

"You can't do much on the bench," he replied. "As long as I'm healthy, I want to stay in there."

Sizemore is on track to become the first Indians player to start in all 162 games since Joe Carter did so in 1989.

Here's the question: Can you name the player the Indians acquired the last time they made a trade with the Twins?

Look at me: All indications are that Joe Inglett will have the inside track on an Opening Day utility job with the Indians next season.

But when Inglett, a "super" utility player who can handle duties at second base, shortstop, center field and left field, reported to Spring Training camp this year at the age of 27, he really wasn't on the organizational radar.

"He's pushed and forced us to notice him," Wedge said, "and the organization's done a good job to recognize that. It's like [general manager] Mark [Shapiro] always says: 'The players make the decisions for you.' "

Inglett made his fifth start of the season and second at second base on Sunday, spelling Ronnie Belliard.

Down on the farm: Right-hander Ben Howard walked in the winning run with the bases loaded, and Triple-A Buffalo fell, 3-2, in 13 innings at Indianapolis on Saturday. Third baseman Andy Marte had an RBI single in the loss. ... Right-hander Sean Smith, fresh off an appearance in the All-Star Futures Game at PNC Park, gave up six runs on seven hits in four innings, and Double-A Akron lost, 7-5, to visiting Trenton. ... First baseman Rodney Choy Foo went 4-for-5 with a home run, but reliever Christopher Hicks gave up five runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief, and Class A Kinston fell, 7-4, in Salem. ... Niuman Romero and Nick Petrucci both hit solo homers as Class A Lake County beat Hagerstown, 6-4. Starter Jeff Stevens gave up three runs, two of which were earned, on three hits over five innings to get his third win.

Tribe tidbits: With Jason Michaels given the day off, Casey Blake made his sixth start of the season in the No. 2 spot of the lineup on Sunday. Todd Hollandsworth filled in for Michaels in left field. ... Left-hander C.C. Sabathia leads the American League in complete games, with four. He is tied with the Reds' Aaron Harang for the Major League lead. ... The Indians' three shutouts and five complete games this year are both tied for the AL lead. ... The Tribe has homered in 12 of its last 13 games.

And the answer is: Hall of Famer Dave Winfield was acquired from the Twins in exchange for cash on Aug. 31, 1994.

On deck: The Indians will be out in the warm California sun this week, as they open a three-game set at Angel Stadium on Monday at 10:05 p.m. ET. Right-hander Jake Westbrook (7-4, 4.19 ERA) will oppose right-hander Dustin Mosley, who will be making his big-league debut.