LaPorta underwent hip and toe surgeries during the off-season. Now, after a recent stint at Columbus and with the chance to play every day, LaPorta looks healthy and has his power swing back - as evidenced by homers in three straight games.
View full sizeMatt LaPorta connects for a 3-run homer. It was the 3rd consecutive game in which LaPorta has hit a home run.Cleveland, Ohio -- When a struggling Matt LaPorta was optioned to Class AAA Columbus on June 7, he did not make a conscious decision to tinker with his swing.
But changes occurred, regardless -- likely the result of his body's healing process simply taking its course.
The payoff has been a strong start to first baseman LaPorta's second stint with the Tribe. He is 5-for-17 with three homers in five games since being recalled June 27. He homered in his third straight game Thursday afternoon as part of the Tribe's 6-1 victory over Toronto.
LaPorta was hitting .218 with one homer in 35 games when the Indians sent him down. At least one scout wondered if LaPorta was favoring his hip, which had required surgery in the off-season. LaPorta also underwent surgery on his left big toe.
LaPorta, a 6-2, 210-pounder, acknowledged he might have relied too much on his torso and not enough on his lower half during the swing.
"I wanted to be ready for the start of the season and I just found a way to get it done -- but it wasn't the way I've always swung," he said. "I probably compensated, even if I didn't think I was. I'm getting back to where I've been in the past: using the legs and staying on the backside more. The swings are more comfortable."
LaPorta appears to be moving better each day. The hip and toe surgeries were performed Oct. 14.
"Getting back to 100 percent from those takes time, but I feel good," he said.
Tribe manager Manny Acta said LaPorta is doing a better job of hitting the ball in front of the plate.
"That's easy to say, though, when a guy's got three homers in three days," Acta said.
Acta views LaPorta's second stint as a fresh start.
"He went down to Columbus and got his confidence back," Acta said. "And now he doesn't have to worry about his name being in the lineup."
LaPorta was promoted when the Tribe traded first baseman Russell Branyan to Seattle.
"Knowing you're going to be in the lineup definitely helps you relax a little more, but you still have to produce," he said.
On the board: Frank Herrmann earned his first major-league save Thursday. He relieved starter Justin Masterson with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning of a 6-1 game.
Herrmann got Jose Molina to ground into a double play on his fifth pitch.
"I didn't know it was a save situation until after the fact, when somebody told me," Herrmann said. "All I was thinking about was getting two outs, and if I could save Justin some runs, that would be ideal."
After the game, Tribe home clubhouse manager Tony Amato presented Herrmann with a game ball and the lineup card. Reliever Chris Perez thought it was a bit much and barked at Amato.
"Frank Herrmann pitches to one batter and gets a game ball and the lineup card?" Perez said with a chuckle. "Justin Masterson pitched 8 1/3 innings, was great, and what does he get? Give Frank the ball, but not the ball and the lineup card."
Herrmann, a Harvard graduate, said: "I'd have to agree with Chris. What did I throw -- five pitches? I'm still keeping both, though."
It's all good: Tribe shortstop Jason Donald seemingly hurt Masterson's bid for a shutout in the ninth.
Jose Bautista led off the ninth inning with a double. Vernon Wells flied out, with Bautista remaining at second. Adam Lind grounded to Donald, who, instead of making the routine play at first for the second out, threw to third baseman Andy Marte. Bautista easily beat the tag.
Aaron Hill followed with an RBI single. Lyle Overbay singled to load the bases, prompting Acta to hook Masterson for Herrmann.
Masterson had no problem with Donald's decision.
"Jason's made a lot of great plays, and he's out there working hard for you," Masterson said. "He's a smart player, he just hesitated. He's not the reason the next two guys got hits."
Scoring change: In a scoring change from Wednesday's game, credit Austin Kearns with a single and take away an error from Blue Jays third baseman John McDonald.