Sometimes, as the saying goes, you just tip your cap to the other guy and move on.
That is the case for the Indians after they were shut down by Dan Haren on one hit last night in Anaheim, as the Los Angeles Angels pulled even in this three-game set with a 2-0 victory over Fausto Carmona and the Tribe.
The lone Cleveland hit was a fourth-inning single off the bat of Shin-Soo Choo, while the only runs in the game scored on a pair of Angels’ solo homers.
Tonight, at 7:05, Carlos Carrasco gets the call for the Indians after leading the Indians to a win in Seattle in his last start, where he held the Mariners to one run and four hits. Carrasco (1-1, 5.68 ERA) will be opposed by Ervin Santana (0-1, 3.68 ERA), who will be making his third start of the season, having had a no-decision in his first appearance against the Royals and then taking the loss in a 3-2 Blue Jays’ victory over Los Angeles last Friday.
In two games this season, Santana has allowed six runs in 14 2/3 innings, striking out thirteen and walking three. For his career, Santana is 76-56 with a 4.39 ERA. Last year he was an impressive 17-10 with a 3.92 ERA.
In other words, it will be another tough opponent on the mound today, especially since the 7:05 start means that it will be only 4:05 on the west coast — a time of day which generally favors the pitchers, if it is sunny, as shadows play havoc on hitters’ depth perception.
Carrasco has allowed 14 hits and eight runs in 12 2/3 innings, walking five and fanning eight.
The Indians will be off tomorrow before returning to action on Friday evening at Progressive Field against the Baltimore Orioles, so let’s hope we can get this win, end the road trip at 5-1 and on a positive note, and not come home with two straight losses and a day off to mull over losing momentum.