Tigers lead Indians, 3-2, through three

Tigers lead Indians, 3-2, through three.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain Dealer FileKerry Wood

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Tribe plays host to the Tigers this afternoon and tonight at Progressive Field.

Pitching matchups:

1:05 game -- Indians RHP Fausto Carmona (8-7, 3.64 ERA) vs. Tigers RHP Justin Verlander (11-5, 3.82).

7:05 game -- Indians RHP Mitch Talbot (8-8, 3.99) vs. Tigers RHP Rick Porcello (4-7, 6.14).

In-game updates: The Tigers led the Indians, 3-2, through three innings.

Carmona jarred early: Carmona gave up three runs in the first -- and it could have been much worse.

With two outs, Carlos Guillen hit a two-run single and Brandon Inge had an RBI double. Indians shortstop Jason Donald, taking the throw from the outfield, erased  Guillen at the plate on Inge's hit.

Earlier in the inning, right fielder Shelley Duncan made a diving catch to rob Magglio Ordonez.

Tribe uprising: The Indians responded with two in the third. Jason Donald had an RBI double and Michael Brantley an RBI single. Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson robbed Matt LaPorta with a terrific running catch in deep right-center for the third out.

Pregame notes:

Wood sidelined; Lewis in: The Indians have placed closer Kerry Wood on the 15-day disabled list and recalled Jensen Lewis from Class AAA Columbus.

"I was told to be ready for both games,'' Lewis said Saturday morning. "That's all they told me. I'm happy to be here.''

The Indians play a day-night doubleheader against the Tigers at Progressive Field.

Wood has a blister on his right index finger. His DL is retroactive to July 12.

Lewis begins his third stint with the Indians this year. He went a combined 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA in 20 appearances (21.0IP, 21H, 9ER, 13BB, 14K, .259 avg.) from April 5 to May 6 and from May 30 to June 23. 

At AAA Columbus, Lewis is 2-0 with one save and a 2.30 ERA in 12 outings (15.2IP, 14H, 4R/ER, 5BB, 18K).  He has limited right-handed hitters to a .138 average (4-for-29).

Wood, who last pitched on July 11 at Tampa Bay, has gone 1-4 with a 6.30 ERA and eight saves in 23 appearances (20.0IP, 21H, 14ER, 11BB, 18K). He is on the DL for the second time this season; he broke camp on the sideline because of a strained right lat muscle.

Over his last six outings since June 27, Wood has allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings (1.72ERA, 5.1IP, 4H, 1R/ER, 7K).
 
The Indians have five players on the major-league disabled list (Anthony Reyes, Grady Sizemore, Asdrubal Cabrera, Shin-Soo Choo and Wood).

Still waiting: The Indians are deciding between David Huff, Josh Tomlin and Jeanmar Gomez for a spot start Sunday against the Tigers.

Lineups:

Tigers (48-39) -- 1. Austin Jackson cf; 2. Johnny Damon dh; 3. Magglio Ordonez rf; 4. Miguel Cabrera 1b; 5. Brennan Boesch lf; 6. Carlos Guillen 2b; 7. Brandon Inge 3b; 8. Alex Avila c; 9. Ramon Santiago ss; and Verlander.

Indians (35-54) -- 1. Michael Brantley cf; 2. Jayson Nix 2b; 3. Carlos Santana c; 4. Travis Hafner dh; 5. Matt LaPorta 1b; 6. Shelley Duncan rf; 7. Trevor Crowe lf; 8. Andy Marte 3b; 9. Jason Donald ss; and Carmona.

Umpires: P -- James Hoye; 1b -- Todd Tichenor; 2b -- Mike Muchlinski; 3b -- Jerry Layne.