Cleveland Indians: Gritty Effort From Carmona Puts Tribe in 2010 Win Column

     4 - 7 - 10     at Chicago White Sox     W, 5 - 3     1 - 1

     Though it may be hard to believe now, Fausto Carmona finished third in the American League Cy Young Award voting two years ago.  Since that time he has had horrendous command problems that have resulted in a sub - .500 record and one demotion to the minor leagues.  This spring, however, Fausto showed signs of improvement, and he showed that was not a fluke in a solid outing in Chicago.  While he did walk six White Sox batters, in large part due to the small strike zone of the home plate umpire, Carmona went six innings of only one - hit baseball, and allowed three runs.  In the process he became the first Indians' pitcher to earn a W in 2010.
     Carmona's good work would have gone unmerited had the Cleveland offense not awoken after having gone the campaign's first 12 frames without scoring.  Michael Brantley broke through with a RBI single in the 4th and Grady Sizemore followed with a two - run single, two batters later.  A Matt LaPorta run - scoring double to the gap in left - center field gave the Indians the lead for good in the 7th.
     Chris Perez came on in the 9th for the save to nail down the Tribe's first win of the very young season, 5 - 3.