Another successful outing from Fausto Carmona today, though he did allow his first run of the spring. The opening day starter went 3 full innings, allowing 3 hits and a walk, while inducing ground balls for 5 of his 9 outs and striking out a pair. Every indication is that Fausto is locked in this spring and a focused Carmona is an effective Carmona.
It's still the 1st week of March, but the competition for the utility outfield spot is in full swing. I've been outspoken on the play of Travis Buck (DNP today). Shelley Duncan, who showed great leadership & good power last season and survived more cuts than a paper doll, has yet to play due to a pulled muscle in his back. Chad Huffman (.455) homered off of Matt Lindstrom and sent another to the track off of Rockies' starter Jhoulys Chacin. Ezequiel Carrera (.308, HR, 5 RBI) singled twice, scored 1 run, drove in another and made a tremendous diving catch to begin the 6th. This early success provides the sort of dilemma that every team hopes for.
After a shaky debut, Alex White pitched a perfect 5th and a hitless 6th. The 2009 1st rounder struck out Dexter Fowler, Ty Wigginton and Mike Jacobs, while making an excellent defensive play on a 1-out bunt in the 5th.
Lonnie Chisenhall is making it as difficult as possible for the Indians to keep their word to start him in AAA. Chiz (.500, 3 hits today) scorched his first home run in the 6th and has looked superior at 3B.
If you're wondering why you haven't heard Rafael Perez's name this spring, it is because he has been away from the club welcoming a new Perez-let to the fold. He is back in camp today, just as the same blessing draws Carlos Carrasco away. Cheers to both families.
Frank Herrmann, who I'm in favor of for a bullpen spot, pitched a scoreless 9th (H, K). He's working on adding a splitter to his everyday repertoire, which would be a nice counter to his 4-seam fastball.
I don't commonly root for the division rival ChiSox, but any true baseball fan should cheer for Jake Peavy's return. Making his first game appearance since last June, the former NL Cy Young Award winner pitched 2 strong innings without giving up a hit. Jake walked 1 and K'ed a pair. Peavy is the first MLB player to return to the game after detaching his lat completely from the bone. That hurts just to type. ESPN's medical expert explains -
What she doesn't directly state is that Peavy's lat muscle tore off of his humerus (the bone between the elbow and shoulder) and snapped into his lower back like a broken rubber band. Yeah. And the dude is pitching again. Best to you, Jake.
Split Squad for the Tribe on 03.05. Pitchers Vs. White Sox: David Huff (starter), Jess Todd, Joe Martinez, Zach McAllister and Vinnie Pestano. Pitchers @ Mariners (not really in Seattle, actually Peoria, AZ): Jeanmar Gomez (starter), Tony Sipp, Kelvin De La Cruz, Joe Smith, and Jensen Lewis.
Jordan Bastian had plenty of time to appear on the play-by-play webcast, so maybe he'll actually post today. What a POS.
