CLEVELAND – The Indians have been waiting for Fausto Carmona to return to the form he displayed as a Cy Young candidate in 2007.
Manager Manny Acta thinks Carmona has just about arrived.
“He has turned the corner and matured a lot,” Acta said of the 27-year-old right-hander, who is 3-3 with a 3.94 ERA in nine starts this season. “That was the knock on him. When things got tough, he let things get out of hand. But he has been better with that. He hasn’t let innings consume him.”
Just a year removed from posting a sparkling 19-8 record and 3.06 ERA, while finishing finishing fourth in American League Cy Young award voting, Carmona’s career took a downturn in 2008.
It began with a two-month stint on the disabled list thanks to a hip strain that led to an 8-7 record and uncharacteristically high 5.44 ERA, and continued into a season on the brink for Carmona in 2009.
Out of whack mechanically and mentally, Carmona was removed from the Indians’ rotation and sent on a minor-league trek that took him as low as the Arizona Rookie League. He finished the season in the big leagues but wound up with an embarrassing 5-12 record and 6.32 ERA in 24 starts.
The following spring, he arrived at training camp – the first under Acta – with a new mindset and new approach, and that’s where Carmona’s road to recovery began.
Though his 13-14 record was under .500 last year, his ERA was an above-average 3.77 over 33 starts. In his first year as the fulltime ace this season, Carmona has been the picture of consistency – outside of a disastrous Opening Day outing that now looks like an aberration.
Since allowing 10 earned runs in his first start, Carmona has gone 3-2 with a 2.56 ERA, pitching at least seven innings in seven of his nine starts on the season.
“(This year) has been pretty similar to (last year),” Acta said. “I think the win-loss thing will take care of itself with our improved offense. He’s been pretty consistent and reliable this year.”
Carmona’s success basically comes down to the effectiveness of his sinker, which can be one of the best in the big leagues. When he has struggled in the past, he has a tendency to overthrow the pitch.
“We know he can get it up there in the mid-90’s if he has to,” Acta said. “But that’s not his forte. It’s to sink the ball. Usually when guys like him try to throw too hard, they get in trouble. More velocity for him means less movement.”
And the Indians hope more positive results from Carmona means another step back to his Cy Young-candidate form.
Still mending
Grady Sizemore was out of the lineup again Saturday with a bruised right knee. Had it not been postponed, it would have marked the fourth straight game Sizemore had missed with the injury.
“He’s still a little sore,” Acta said.
Sizemore, who is batting .282 with six home runs and 11 RBIs in 18 games since leaving the disabled list, was able to go through a workout at Progressive Field, but Acta said he did not anticipate him playing today.
An MRI performed on Sizemore’s knee Wednesday revealed no structural damage and the Indians still aren’t concerned that he is a candidate for the DL.
Pronk’s progress
Acta thinks Travis Hafner’s fast start has everything to do with the designated hitter being injury-free for the first time in years. Hafner, who battled shoulder problems the past three seasons, is hitting .340 with five homers and 16 RBIs in 30 games.
“When he’s healthy he trusts his hands,” Acta said. “We saw that in spring training, his bat speed. He’s driving the ball with authority. You can’t substitute health.”
Minor details
David Huff took the loss in Triple-A Columbus’ 9-5 loss to Indianapolis on Friday, allowing seven runs on 12 hits in just 42⁄3 innings. Huff fell to 3-2 with a 4.10 ERA in seven starts for the Clippers.
• Travis Buck went 2-for-5 with his third homer and three RBIs for Columbus to raise his average to .357 in 17 games since being optioned from Cleveland.
• Right-hander Michael Goodnight evened his record at 3-3 with a 2.92 ERA Friday, allowing a run on three hits and striking out six over 62⁄3 innings of Class A Lake County’s 2-1 victory over West Michigan.
Roundin’ third
The Cleveland Indians Charities Hardball Classic postponed game between Avon Lake High School and Amherst-Steele will be made up at Progressive Field on May 25. It will follow the Indians’ 12:05 game against Boston.
• Fans are invited to stay after today’s game to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Len Barker’s perfect game, May 15, 1981. Barker and vice president of public relations Bob DiBiasio will provide live commentary atop the home dugout during a video presentation of the top of the ninth inning of Barker’s perfect game against the Blue Jays.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Fan him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
Tribe rained out
CLEVELAND – Heavy rain erased the prospect of the Indians starting a new home winning streak Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field as the second game of their series against the Seattle Mariners was postponed.
The game has not been rescheduled, but the two teams are expected to make it up as part of a doubleheader during Seattle’s last trip to Cleveland (Aug. 22-24).
The game was halted in the bottom of the first inning at 1:20 p.m.
TODAY
• WHO: Cleveland vs. Seattle
• TIME: 1:05
• WHERE: Progressive Field
• PITCHERS: Tomlin (4-1, 2.70 ERA) vs. Pineda (4-2, 2.84)
• TV/RADIO: SportsTime Ohio; WEOL 930-AM, WTAM 1100-AM
