With Jason Donald out at least a week, the Indians recalled infielder Drew Sutton from Class AAA Columbus. Sutton will miss his teammates, but not the bus rides.
UPDATED: 11:34 p.m.
Indians catcher Lou Marson absorbed this collision with Los Angeles' Torii Hunter and held onto the ball for the out in the sixth inning of Tuesday night's game at Progressive Field. Hunter attempted to score from first on a double to left field by Hideki Matsui.INDIANS CHATTER
Clubhouse confidential: Infielder Drew Sutton walked into Progressive Field for the first time Monday since he was 17.
“That’s when the Indians had Robby Alomar, Omar Vizquel, Jim Thome and all those guys,” said Sutton, recalled from Class AAA Columbus. “We were in Cleveland for a summer league World Series and went to a game.
“One of my buddies ran on the field that night. They put him in the lockup at the ballpark. They tackled him and pummeled him a little.”
Asked if he went out on the field, Sutton laughed and said, “No, when you do that, you’re in for some pain.”
Good cause: The Indians, American Red Cross, Cleveland Clinic and WTAM AM/1100 are sponsoring a blood drive Wednesday at the Gateway Plaza between Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena from noon to 8 p.m.
All those who donate blood will receive a free T-shirt and seat cushion. They will also have a chance to win autographed Indians memorabilia, tickets or a chance to watch batting practice.
Stat of the day: Michael Brantley extended his hitting streak to 14 games in the first inning Tuesday. It’s the longest streak by an Indians rookie, according to Elias, since Cory Snyder hit in 14 straight in September 1986.
— Paul Hoynes
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Drew Sutton was sorry to leave his teammates at Class AAA Columbus just before they opened the Governor's Cup Finals on Tuesday night against Durham at Huntington Park.
The Indians recalled Sutton, a utility infielder, because Jason Donald will miss at least a week with a bruised tendon in his right index finger.
"It's sad to be leaving there, but it's awesome to be here, too," said Sutton. "We were all hoping to get called up at the end of the playoffs and I had to leave them, so it was a little bittersweet.
"But they have some tough travel days. In the first round we had an overnight bus trip to Scranton. We got in about 9 a.m. and had a 6 p.m. game. I think they're going to have some of the same kind of travel with Durham.
"I'm not going to miss that."
Manager Manny Acta said Luis Valbuena will fill in for Donald at second base. Sutton will see some action there as well.
As for Donald, Acta said, "There's not a fracture, but he'll be out a minimum of a week."
Donald was injured attempting a squeeze bunt Saturday against the Twins. The squeeze worked, with Travis Hafner sliding home with what should have been the winning run. Plate umpire Brian Gorman didn't see it that way, calling Donald out because he said the bunted ball hit him in front of the plate.
Replays showed that Donald was not hit in front of the plate, but Gorman thought so when Donald waved his hand in pain from being hit bunting the ball. The Indians lost the game, 1-0, in 12 innings.
"When I was walking back to the plate," said Donald, "I could feel and hear my finger popping. That's never happened to me before. I didn't know if the bone was going to be sticking out when I took off my batting glove or what."
Sutton, 27, has spent most of this season at Class AAA Louisville and Columbus. He's hitting .273 (98-for-359) with 24 doubles, one triple, five homers and 42 RBI in 113 games.
The Indians claimed the switch-hitter on waivers from Cincinnati after he spent two games with the Reds on May 27-28.
Thumbs up: Hall of Famer Bob Feller, diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in August, was at Tuesday's game.
"Everything is positive," said Feller, 91. "I go in for my second round of chemotherapy next week at the Cleveland Clinic. I've got a good doctor and I'm at one of the best hospitals in the world."
Dr. Bill Wilder, former team physician for the Indians, is advising Feller.
Testing, testing: Mitch Talbot (right shoulder) was scheduled to be examined Tuesday night. If he can't make his next scheduled start this weekend in Kansas City, Justin Masterson could replace him.
Masterson relieved Talbot on Sunday in the first inning and pitched seven innings against the Twins. If Masterson fills in for Talbot, it would probably be his last appearance of the season because the Indians don't want Masterson -- who has thrown 173 innings -- surpassing 180.