Just In From the Desert

Just as I was about to say that Carlos Carrasco (3.60 ERA) was looking sharp and might slot higher in the rotation, he proceeded to give up back-to-back jacks and a long triple in the 2nd.  That being said, Carrasco's slider looked sharp and he hit his spots, keeping the ball down a lot more than his mates did on Tuesday.  Carlos went 3 full and looked the best of any pitcher in four games.  The Tribe's staff has allowed 41 runs over the past 27 innings.bv

Carlos Santana (.250) made his first start at first base and looked very comfortable.  Santana fed the ball crisply on a potential 3-6-1, made an accurate flip to Zach Putnam covering in the 6th, and appears alert and active thanks to Mike Hargrove's instrcution.  Carlos also knocked a nice double and scored a run.

Huff-and-Tom(lin) Post:  First of all, I believe that Jeanmar Gomez (8.31) has already pitched himself out of contention, thus his name does not appear in my clever title.  David Huff (5.14) pitched a clean 4th, but fell apart in the 5th.  The first five Padres reached (including 3 sharp hits) and 4 runs came across.  Josh Tomlin (1.80) threw three perfect frames in Tuesday's "B" game.  One would think that, right now, Tomlin is in the lead.

Utility OF Battle:  Ezequiel Carrera (.296) appeared over-matched in going 0-3 with a strikeout and missed the cutoff man on the above triple.  Travis Buck (.455), who struck a sharp single in three trips, remains my favorite due to his hot hitting and ability to play all 3 outfield positions.  While Zeke's show up speed has been impressive, he has fallen behind Buck, Shelley Duncan (.333) and Chad Huffman (.571).  Carrera is likely ticketed to Columbus.

Who's Got Third?:  Luis Valbuena (.211) looked awful striking out on breaking balls down and away in his first 2 ABs.  He responded by jerking a solo shot in the 8th for the Indians' 3rd and final hit (ugh).  Jayson Nix's (.063) average continued to sink.  He is getting extended PT, so the organization would like to see him succeed.  Personally, I would be thrilled if he is released before opening day.

The Phillies have lost Chase Utley indefinitely with a messed up right knee.  You know what?  I'm not a doctor, so the phrase "mild patellar tendinitis and chrondomalacia" means nothing to me, nor should it to you.  Phils' GM Ruben Amaro Jr contends that the team will not look for help from outside the organization to bridge the gap until Utley's return.  Remember that our old friend Josh Barfield is in camp with Phiadelphia as a non-roster invitee.  Hmmmm...

Pitchers for 03.10 (Every day, I find these in a new place):  Justin Masterson (starter), Jeanmar Gomez, Frank Herrmann, Joe Martinez, and Vinnie Pestano.  Catch the web exclusive audio feed at Indians.com.