Brad Bergesen doesn't allow a hit until Luis Valbuena's RBI single for the Indians in the fifth inning.
David Huff was sent back down to Columbus on Tuesday after being unable to consistently get out big-league hitters in 2010.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Tribe hosts the Orioles tonight in the second of a three-game series at Progressive Field.
Pitching matchup: RHP Josh Tomlin (1-1, 2.79 ERA) vs. RHP Brad Bergesen (3-9, 6.26).
In-game updates: The Orioles led the Indians, 3-1, through six innings.
Baltimore scored an unearned run in the first. Brian Roberts led off with a single and was forced at second by Nick Markakis. Ty Wigginton singled. Both runners advanced on catcher Chris Gimenez's passed ball. With the infield back, Luke Scott delivered an RBI grounder to the right side.
With two outs in the fourth, Cesar Izturis singled to drive in Felix Pie for a 2-0 advantage.
Brian Roberts led off the fifth with a homer. It came on the 12th pitch of the at-bat.
Valby rules: Luis Valbuena had the Tribe's only hit -- an RBI single in the fifth.
Nice glove: Tomlin snared a Markakis liner in the third and doubled off Roberts at first.
Tomlin was replaced by Justin Germano to begin the sixth. Tomlin gave up 10 hits.
Pregame notes:
The Indians have optioned lefty David Huff to Class AAA Columbus and recalled reliever Jess Todd from Columbus.
Huff has gone 2-11 with a 6.21 ERA in 15 starts for Cleveland (79.2 IP, 101 H, 61 R / 55 ER, 37K). He was roughed up by the Twins on Sunday.
Huff's next scheduled start with the Tribe would have been Saturday. Right-hander Mitch Talbot is expected to be activated from the disabled list to face the Mariners that night.
Huff led the Indians with 11 victories last year as a rookie. He broke camp this season with the major-league club, struggled and was sent down in June. He returned Aug. 3 after going 6-0 with the Clippers.
The Tribe's bullpen was taxed Tuesday night in a 14-8 loss to Baltimore.
Todd, 24, will begin his second stint with the Indians, for whom he made five appearances from July 19-29 and allowed five runs in six innings. He pitched one inning and allowed one hit with one walk for the Clippers on Tuesday night. He has spent most of the season with the Clippers, going 4-2 with four saves and a 3.48ERA in 40 games.
The 25-man roster now stands at 25 and the 40-man is at 39. Right-hander Anthony Reyes is beginning a rehab assignment tonight with a start for Class AA Akron.
Cab ride: Until Tuesday night, White Sox lefty Mark Buehrle had made the undisputed best defensive play of the season. His between-the-legs flip to first base to get Tribe catcher Lou Marson on Opening Day set a standard seemingly impossible to match.
Buehrle no longer stands alone because of Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, whose multifaceted play against the Orioles had jaws dropping.
With one out in the fourth inning and Baltimore's Luke Scott on third, Felix Pie grounded sharply up the middle.
"Off the bat, I thought it was going to be a hit, for sure,'' Tribe second baseman Jason Donald said.
The ball struck pitcher Justin Masterson in the foot and caromed toward the hole at short.
"When the ball ricocheted off Masterson's leg, I thought it was going to be a hit, for sure,'' Donald said.
Cabrera, forced to stop his forward momentum, slipped to the ground. From the seat of his pants, he reached out and grabbed the ball. That, alone, would have qualified as a great play.
Cabrera made it a five-star special by looking back Scott and, while still seated, throwing to first to retire Pie.
"That's one of the best plays I've ever seen,'' Donald said. "I'm glad I got an up-close look. I went over to him and said, 'Man, that was unbelievable.'''
Among the Orioles personnel dazzled was bench coach Jeff Datz, who spent the previous eight seasons on the Indians' major-league staff in different capacities.
"The whole play was obviously very impressive,'' Datz said. "But to check the runner and throw from the seated position ... I mean ... wow. It was a great play from a special player. Cabby can do that.''
The Orioles won, 14-8.
Lineups: Orioles (39-74) -- 1. Brian Roberts 2b; 2. Nick Markakis rf; 3. Ty Wigginton 1b; 4. Luke Scott dh; 5. Adam Jones cf; 6. Felix Pie lf; 7. Matt Wieters c; 8. Cesar Izturis ss; 9. Josh Bell 3b; and Bergesen.
Indians (47-66) -- 1. Michael Brantley cf; 2. Asdrubal Cabrera ss; 3. Shin-Soo Choo rf; 4. Shelley Duncan dh; 5. Jordan Brown lf; 6. Matt LaPorta 1b; 7. Luis Valbuena 3b; 8. Jayson Nix 2b; 9. Chris Gimenez c; and Tomlin.