While the Indians contemplate changes in the second half, Luis Valbuena, Matt LaPorta and Lou Marson are getting their chance now.
Indians starter Fausto Carmona gave up a two-run home run to Nick Swisher in the second inning Friday night at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.NEW YORK, New York -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians 2010 regular season. The Indians play the Yankees tonight in the first of four games at Yankee Stadium.
Pregame notes:
Game 46: Manager Manny Acta says the Indians are anticipating bringing some players to the big leagues after the All-Star break.
"It's not a secret that we have a few guys in Triple-A that we want to take a look at in the second half," he said. "We continue to monitor the progress of those guys with what's going on up here with our injuries.
"Some guys are going to get a chance right now."
Second baseman Luis Valbuena, first baseman/outfielder Matt LaPorta and catcher Lou Marson are getting their chance now. Valbuena, hitting .144, started at second base tonight against the Yankees.
LaPorta (.210, 1 HR, 5 RBI) and Marson (.200, 0, 3) did not start. They've had their share of offensive problems.
"We knew these three guys would struggle at some point, but we didn't anticipate them struggling at the same time," said Acta.
Acta said LaPorta will play two of the four games against the Yankees. Marson is the starting catcher except when Fausto Carmona starts. When he pitches, as he did tonight, Mike Redmond catches him.
As to who will get a look in the second half, Carlos Santana, for certain, is one of the players. Michael Brantley is another.
Reason why: Lots of discussion on why Trevor Crowe laid down a sacrifice bunt in the ninth inning Wednesday with runners on first and second, no one out and Chicago leading the Indians, 5-4.
After the bunt, White Sox closer Bobby Jenks intentionally walked Shin-Soo Choo, the Indians best hitter, to load the bases. Then he struck out Austin Kearns and retired Russell Branyan on a fly ball to left to end it.
The Indians entered the ninth trailing, 5-1, but they scored three runs as the first five batters reached base to make it a one-run game.
Acta had a choice -- let Crowe, with a limited track record, bat against a proven closer. Or let Kearns, one of the Indians most reliable hitters, bat. He was convinced the White Sox would not let Choo bat no matter what Crowe did.
Lineups: Indians (17-28): CF Trevor Crowe (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), DH Travis Hafner (L), LF Austin Kearns (R), 1B Russell Branyan (L), 3B Jhonny Peralta (R), 2B Luis Valbuena (L), C Mike Redmond (R), SS Jason Donald (R) RHP Fausto Carmona (4-2, 3.45).
Yankees (28-19): SS Derek Jeter (R), CF Curtis Granderson (L), 1B Mark Teixeira (S), 2B Robinson Cano (L), RF Nick Swisher (S), DH Juan Miranda (L), LF Brett Gardner (L), 3B Ramiro Pena (S), C Chad Moeller and RHP Phil Hughes (5-1, 2.72).
Umpires: H Kerwin Danley, 1B CB Bucknor, 2B Doug Eddings, 3B Dana DeMuth. DeMuth, crew chief.
Next: LHP David Huff (2-6, 5.25) vs. LHP CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.86) Saturday at 1:05 p.m.