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Rehabilitating Indians pitcher allows one hit in four innings. Second stint could be with Aeros
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008
EASTLAKE: Fausto Carmona could run for mayor in these parts and give the incumbent a pretty good race.
Of course, the Indians' right-hander might want to wait until his baseball career is over — but he wouldn't have to.
That much was clear by the fan turnout at Lake County's Classic Park Monday night as Carmona made his first rehabilitation appearance since landing on the disabled list May 24 with a left hip strain.
A long line of folks still snaked around the ticket window outside the suburban park even as Carmona's stint with the Captains got under way.
Ultimately, 9,318 in attendance (including a franchise-high 3,000 walk-up) watched as Carmona limited low Class-A Asheville to just one hit — a double down the third-base line with one out in his final inning, the fourth.
''A sinker,'' Carmona said immediately, beating his translator to the punch. ''I missed up (in the zone) a little bit.''
That was the only blemish in the outing as Carmona threw 43 pitches, including 33 strikes. He did not walk a batter, and struck out three. When he fanned Asheville Tourists' third baseman Darrin Holcomb to end his outing, fans behind the home team dugout quickly rose to their feet and honored the former Captain with a standing ovation.
After beginning the season for the Tribe with a 4-2 mark and 3.10 ERA in 10 starts, the 24-year-old right-hander was limited Monday to four innings or 60 pitches.
When Carmona's four frames were over, he threw 20 more pitches in the right-field corner bullpen to complete his day's work as fans packed along the fence and watched with glee. As Carmona began to make his way into the Captains' locker room, a large group of all ages
clamored for his autograph.
''I felt great. I feel ready to go,'' Carmona said moments later through agent and translator Jorge Brito. ''But the team and the doctors decide everything from here. They will tell me what's next tomorrow.''
Odds are the Indians' brass would like to see Carmona make at least one more start, and that could come this weekend with the Double-A Aeros arriving home Thursday to host the Erie SeaWolves in a four-game series at Canal Park.
Although Carmona pitched for the Aeros for parts of three seasons from 2003 to 2005, Lake County remains the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, native's home away from home.
Carmona, who became the first Captain to play for the Indians, appears to remain a kid at heart. You'd never know he just signed a four-year, $15 million contract that also gives the Indians club options through 2014 that could push the total deal to between $43 million and $48 million.
Carmona shook many hands while smiling widely for all those who remembered when he went 17-4 with a 2.06 ERA five years ago as a South Atlantic League All-Star.
And while he's not going to approach last season's 19-8 record with the Indians — which was the most wins by a Tribe right-hander since Bert Blyleven won 19 games in 1984 — it didn't seem to matter on this pleasant summer evening.
''It has been very difficult [being sidelined],'' Carmona said through Brito. ''But I'm excited to feel so much better and get back out on the mound.''
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
EASTLAKE: Fausto Carmona could run for mayor in these parts and give the incumbent a pretty good race.
Get the full article here.
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