UPDATED: Fausto Carmona recovers from a rough first inning to post another quality start as the Indians rally to defeat the Tigers at Progressive Field.
View full sizeIndians' outfielder Trevor Crowe hits a go-ahead two-out RBI single in the seventh inning.Updated at 7:53 p.m.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Credit Indians manager Manny Acta with a psychological save Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field.
Acta's visit to the mound in the third inning helped settle right-hander Fausto Carmona, who proceeded to post yet another quality start as the Tribe defeated the Tigers, 4-3.
Trevor Crowe hit a two-out single in the seventh to drive in Matt LaPorta for the go-ahead run.
The Indians are playing the second game a day-night doubleheader tonight. The four-game series wraps Sunday afternoon.
Carmona (9-7, 3.65 ERA) allowed three runs on six hits in seven-plus innings. In 15 of 19 starts, he has pitched at least six innings and given up no more than three earned runs.
Carmona, who had not worked since July 9 because of the All-Star break, needed help to secure victory No. 9. The Tribe's defense -- notably, third baseman Andy Marte -- and bullpen were superb. None of it might have mattered, though, had Acta not personally conveyed his message to a wobbling Carmona.
Detroit led, 3-0, when Johnny Damon walked to open the third. Acta typically does not go to the mound unless he's bringing the hook, but he made an exception here. Carmona, unable to command his pitches, had walked four and given up three hits.
"I could see he was a little agitated," Acta said. "I told him, 'You need to settle down. Forget about the three runs, calm yourself and throw strikes.' "
Carmona said Acta was not upset.
"He just wanted me to make good pitches," Carmona said. "I understood. He helped me a lot right there."
View full sizeIndians pitcher Fausto Carmona settled down after getting a visit from manager Manny Acta in the third inning, giving up three runs in seven innings and throwing 118 pitches.The pick-me-up was not immediately evident. Carmona promptly walked Magglio Ordonez, bringing triple-crown candidate Miguel Cabrera to the plate. Cabrera ripped one ticketed for the left-field corner until Marte, channeling Brooks Robinson, snared the ball with the backhand, spun and fired to second. Jayson Nix turned two.
Given the degree of difficulty, Marte's smoothness and the game situation, it ranks among the Tribe's top defensive plays this season.
"Andy saved the game for us with that double play," Acta said. "It could have been 5-0 with [Justin] Verlander on the mound, which is not a good situation."
Marte continued to fill in for Jhonny Peralta, who had a high fever Thursday. Peralta was better by Friday, but Marte played Friday night and both games Saturday.
The top of the third ended when dangerous Brennan Boesch grounded to short. From the fourth through the seventh, Carmona allowed two hits and walked one.
"It looked in the beginning like Fausto would unravel a little bit, but he kept his composure," Acta said. "He deserves the credit."
In line for the 4-3 victory and having thrown 116 pitches, Carmona came out for the eighth to face Damon. Carmona still felt strong, and Acta did not want to burn a lefty on Damon, who hits lefties well.
When Damon doubled to right on the 118th pitch, Acta called for Joe Smith. The sidearmer got Ordonez to bounce to Marte and struck out Cabrera.
"Smitty was huge," Acta said. "He was fantastic. You couldn't ask for a better outing."
Rafael Perez retired Boesch on a grounder to end the threat.
Chris Perez, resuming his role as substitute closer, worked the ninth and earned his eighth save. The potential tying run reached second with two outs before Ramon Santiago flied to left.
"The defense and bullpen were very important," Carmona said.
Carmona was fortunate Detroit did not do more damage in the first.
Leadoff batter Austin Jackson singled. After Damon popped out, right fielder Shelley Duncan made a full-extension diving catch near the line to deny Ordonez.
Jackson stole second with two outs. Cabrera and Boesch walked to load the bases.
Carlos Guillen bounced a single up the middle to drive in two. Brandon Inge followed with a double to left-center that could have accounted for two more. But Indians shortstop Jason Donald, relaying a throw from left fielder Crowe, erased Guillen at the plate. Catcher Carlos Santana did a superb job of blocking.
The Indians pulled within 3-2 in the third. Donald had an RBI double and Michael Brantley an RBI single. Tigers center fielder Jackson robbed LaPorta with a fantastic running catch in deep right-center for the third out.
The Tribe tied it in the sixth. With two outs, Duncan scored from third on Verlander's wild pitch.
Verlander gave up three runs on six hits in six innings of a no-decision. He walked five and struck out nine.
Crowe's RBI single came against Phil Coke.
Cabrera finished 0-for-3, snapping his hitting streak at 20 games. Tribe second baseman Nix also foiled him with a diving stop.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dmanoloff@plaind.com, 216-999-4664