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Pitching Matchups
Friday, May 11---------------- 10:05pm
C.C. Sabathia, LHP (5-0, 3.45) vs Joe Blanton, RHP (3-1, 3.61)
Scouting Report:
Indians: A perfect April has turned into an unblemished May for Sabathia, who gave up three runs on nine hits and a walk in seven innings against Baltimore on Sunday. Sabathia moved into first place in the American League strikeout race with nine punchouts against the Orioles, giving him 53 for the year, and the Indians have won all seven games he's started this season. The A's have traditionally given Sabathia trouble. He's 1-0 with a 6.40 ERA in 10 career starts versus Oakland.
A's: Blanton, who tied for the team lead with 16 wins last year despite an ERA just under 5.00, again displayed what one scout called his "winnability" last week in Tampa. Blanton gave up a career-high-tying 11 hits over 7 1/3 innings but held the host Devil Rays to two earned runs in a 5-3 victory. Blanton has won each of his past two starts without very good command of his plus curveball, but he's been getting a ton of ground balls with his sinker.
Saturday, May 12----------------- 4:05pm------ NO TV
Fausto Carmona, RHP (3-1, 2.97) vs Dallas Braden, LHP (1-1, 5.23)
Scouting Report:
Indians: The 23-year old right-hander shut down the Orioles for a second straight game in his last effort, holding them to one run on seven hits in seven innings. He battled out of some tough situations and held the game close until the Indians scored nine runs in the final three innings for a 10-1 victory. Carmona moved the ball around nicely throughout the game and showed the command of a veteran.
A's: Braden made a strong big-league debut on April 24, against Baltimore, holding the O's to three hits over six innings the day after being called up from Triiple-A Sacramento. With about 200 friends and family members in attendance for his second start on Tuesday, however, Braden gave up three homers against the Rays in Oakland and was sent back to the Minors, in part because the A's had a couple of days off during their recent road trip and didn't need a fifth starter. He's expected to be recalled to make this start.
Sunday, May 13-------------------- 4:05pm
Cliff Lee, LHP (1-0, 3.60) vs Chad Gaudin, RHP (2-1, 2.40)
Scouting Report:
Indians: Lee was masterful in his last outing against the Angels on Tuesday. In just his second start since returning from the DL with a strained right abdominal muscle, he went the distance, holding the Angels to a run on three hits with two walks, two strikeouts and a hit batsman. He was locating his fastball well, and he kept the Angels off-balance with his changeup. Lee has never been known for his efficiency, but he was able to get a lot of first-pitch strikes and quick outs in this dominant outing.
A's: Gaudin, who was 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA in his previous two starts, got back on track Tuesday in Kansas City by dominating the Royals over eight strong innings. Gaudin, who throws in the low- to mid-90s and has an excellent slider and changeup, allowed a run on five hits and a walk while striking out eight in his longest outing of the year. Gaudin has lost only one of his eight starts this season and hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of them.
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/p ... p?c_id=cle
