Wood takes loss in Aeros slugfest with Trenton

Kerry Wood's rehab appearance was nothing more than a sideshow Monday.

In a rarity when a major leaguer comes to Canal Park, the Indians closer was overshadowed by the game itself, which featured a combined 31 runs on 34 hits as host Akron was outslugged by Trenton 21-11.

Considering the outcome of Wood's outing, it's probably for the best he wasn't the main attraction.

Monday was a big day for the 32-year-old to test the strained right lat that became a nuisance in spring training and cost him a majority of spring practice and so far, half of the first month of the season.

But with the score tied 10-10 entering the sixth injuring Monday, Wood labored to throw 28 pitches and did not make it through the inning, having to be relieved with just two outs.

But not until he'd dished up six runs on four hits and two walks to take the loss. Wood also threw a wild pitch and did not strike out a batter. Yet he was pleased with the effort afterwards.

"I felt good, so that's the most important thing for me," Wood said. "Early on I had some trouble locating my fastball. But I told Skins (Aeros manager Joel Skinner) that I was going to come out throwing fastballs and just try to locate. I got behind a couple guys and (the Thunder hitters) were teeing off, just looking for the first fastball they could swing at.

Besides the rust, Wood said physically he felt fine.

"We saw a little bit later when I spun some breaking balls, they weren't on them. We can't look at the results here - good or bad. It's just how (I ) feel."

On Sunday, Indians manager Many Acta said that as long as that was the case, Wood would likely have one more rehab outing Wednesday in Akron.

"He's gotta go over and compete against guys in a different uniform and be able to throw all his pitches, bounce back and then come back and do it again," Acta said.

Wood, however, said if he can't shake off the rust by Wednesday, his rehab - whether in Akron or Triple-A Columbus - could go longer.

"They're leaving it up to me," he said. "It's how I'm going to feel first and foremost, then if I'm comfortable with my off-speed pitches and able to throw them consistently the way I want to. I'm not opposed to sticking around and doing another one or two (games) if I can't do that."