Indians news, features and notes
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- Cleveland Indians report: Chris Perez probably needs another rehab appearance
- Cleveland Indians notebook: Vinnie Pestano to hold down closer role until Chris Perez returns
- Indians: Matchups for upcoming games
- On the record: Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame announces inductees, including ABJ’s Sheldon Ocker
- Swisher might return Saturday
- Green graduate David Lough’s path to Kansas City Royals includes a past of soccer, basketball and football
- Indians 4, Royals 3: Eighth-inning rally lifts Indians to win over Royals
- Green graduate David Lough of Royals living out MLB dream with family in attendance
- Cleveland Indians notebook: Carlos Santana taking some of the blame for high wild-pitch count
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Pitching matchup might favor Tribe
CLEVELAND: In addition to the news that the tightness in Grady Sizemore's back had disappeared, the Indians were hoping to get a break from the Rangers' pitching staff.
Scheduled starter C.J. Wilson was scratched from tonight's assignment with a case of food poisoning. Wilson became ill on Tuesday, but his start was postponed until Thursday as a precaution.
In his place was Colby Lewis, who spent the last two years pitching in Japan. Mind you, he was a success in Asia, boasting a two-year record of 26-17 and an earned-run average of 2.82. Nevertheless, the level of competition is superior in the big leagues. In 2009, Lewis led the Japanese Central League with 186 strikeouts and was second in ERA with a 2.96 figure. Opposing batters hit only .;236 against him.
Manager Manny Acta was ready to give Chris Perez another chance to save a game -- he saved two then blew two leads -- but Kerry Wood might not spend much more time on the disabled list. Wood is the Tribe's official closer, who has been out with a strained right lat.
Wood already has thrown once off the mound and is scheduled to throw again on Friday. After that, he will meet with Acta and pitching coach Tim Belcher to consider the next step, which might be either a simulated game or a brief rehab assignment, probably at Akron or Lake County.
