Fausto Carmona isn’t accustomed to losing much for the Cleveland Indians this season. The same cannot be said for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Carmona, looking to bounce back from the worst start of his career, takes the mound for the Indians as they try for a four-game sweep of the floundering Devil Rays on Monday night.
Carmona (8-4, 3.92 ERA) has flourished in his first year as a full-time starter, ranking second on the Indians in wins behind C.C. Sabathia’s major league-leading 12. Carmona, though, was abysmal in his last start.
He gave up eight runs and seven hits in just one inning of a 13-7 loss to Oakland on Wednesday night. Carmona, who went into the game with a 3.21 ERA, has lost three of his last four decisions after winning his previous seven.
He faced Tampa Bay in relief as a rookie last season, giving up one run and two hits in one inning of a 5-3 win on Aug. 19.
Strong pitching has helped Cleveland (49-32) hold the Devil Rays to two runs or less in two of the three games in this series.
Cliff Lee limited Tampa Bay to one run through eight innings of a 3-2 win on Sunday, handing the Devil Rays their season-high seventh straight loss. Cleveland also has won eight in a row at Jacobs Field from Tampa Bay.
The Devil Rays, last in the AL East, have lost 14 of 17. The Indians, meanwhile, have won six of seven and 10 of 14 to build a slight edge over Detroit in the AL Central.
Cleveland closer Joe Borowski has played a big role in shutting down the Devil Rays. The right-hander, who has pitched in four straight games, gave up Delmon Young’s sacrifice fly in the ninth Sunday before recording his 24th save in 26 chances and 12th straight since May 13.
He has six saves and a win in his last seven outings.
Tampa Bay’s Andy Sonnanstine (1-2, 5.85 ERA), who grew up near Cleveland, will make his first career appearance against the Indians. The rookie right-hander doesn’t expect to be nervous pitching against a team he watched growing up.
Sonnanstine gave up two runs and six hits while striking out six in 6 1-3 innings, but did not receive a decision as Tampa Bay lost 5-3 to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
He had lost his previous two starts, posting an 8.25 ERA, and has surrendered seven home runs in 32 1-3 innings on the season.
Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford were bright spots at the plate for Tampa Bay (34-47) on Sunday.
Pena put the Devil Rays ahead 1-0 with a two-out homer in the second. The first baseman ended a seven-game stretch without a homer, hitting his 18th of the season.
Crawford, meanwhile, went 2-for-4 after going 1-for-21 in his previous five games. The left fielder leads the team with 49 RBIs.
Tampa Bay has scored just 18 runs during its losing streak in Cleveland.
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Good Luck,
Tommy Mac
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