(SportsNetwork.com) – Carlos Carrasco returns to the hill after a scary
incident his last time out, as the Cleveland Indians continue their three-
game series with the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.
Carrasco had been brilliant his first time out, but had to leave his next
start last Tuesday against Chicago after getting hit in the face by a line
drive from the second batter of the game, Melky Cabrera.
The ball appeared to deflect off his pitching hand and his glove before making
contact with the right side of his face. Carrasco collapsed face-down at the
front of the mound and remained there before sitting up.
Luckily though, he escaped major injury, but was given the loss, as he
was charged with two runs and two hits without getting an out. Still, his ERA
only rose to 2.84 thanks to 6 1/3 scoreless innings in his first start.
“I do know the best thing to do is get back out there and just play the game.
Every once in a while something happens that’s out of your control,” Indians
manager Terry Francona said. “So you just play the game.”
Chicago will oppose Carrasco with righty Hector Noesi, who lost his only start
of the season. Noesi struggled with his command in that April 10 assignment
against Minnesota, as he allowed just two runs, but walked six batters in 4
2/3 innings.
In five games (4 starts) versus the Tribe, Noesi has gone 1-1 with a 4.23 ERA.
Chicago drew first blood in this series on Monday, as Cabrera’s RBI hit capped
a four-run rally in the ninth inning that lifted the White Sox to a 4-3 win.
“I went to the home plate trying to put the ball in play and thank God I can
do it,” Cabrera said through an interpreter.
Cleveland closer Cody Allen (0-2) absorbed the loss, as he surrendered six
hits and all four runs in that fateful ninth.
“Left some balls up. Got a little predictable,” Allen said.
The White Sox were unable to muster anything off of Cleveland starter Trevor
Bauer, who had seven strikeouts in seven shutout innings while giving up four
hits and two walks.
Ryan Raburn reached base three times for the Indians, who have lost seven of
their last nine.
These teams split a two-game set last week, but Cleveland took 10 of
19 from the White Sox a season ago.
