Ryan Garko is returning to his Anaheim roots this week, as the Indians open a three-game set with the Angels on Monday night.

But he's not planning a return to "The Jungle."

Last fall, Garko and teammates C.C. Sabathia, Joe Borowski and Ben Francisco made a memorable, in-studio appearance on Jim Rome's nationally syndicated radio show, which is broadcast from Los Angeles. Garko, in fact, is a regular call-in guest on the program he used to listen to in high school.

So why not pop in on the program to get a little of what Rome refers to as "Jungle Karma" -- i.e., the good fortune on the field that seems to follow those who appear on the show?

"I'll go in later in the season," Garko said. "I want to save the karma for when we need it."

What the Indians have needed most in this young season is some hits, especially with starting catcher and cleanup hitter Victor Martinez out with a hamstring strain. Garko has done his share at the plate, notching a hit in five of the first six games.

But Garko hasn't provided any help behind the plate. The Indians haven't needed his services as the emergency catcher behind backup Kelly Shoppach, though Garko did catch his first bullpen session in a long while last week.

He wouldn't mind getting another opportunity to catch some day.

"I've caught the last 14 years and played first the last two, so I still feel real comfortable doing it," Garko said. "I guess the window's closing a bit, because Vic's coming back soon. But it's still something I think I could do, if given the chance."

Shortly after Martinez, who has a good chance of returning to the lineup Monday, signed a long-term contract extension with the Indians in 2005, Garko made the full-time conversion to first base.

"I didn't want to be a backup catcher," Garko said. "I wanted to get at-bats, so I was all for it. I missed catching, but the best way for me to make the big leagues was to not be catching."

Garko is still a work in progress at first, though he's made marked defensive improvements with his footwork and timing. And at the plate last season -- his first full campaign in the bigs -- he learned some important lessons about the grind of 162 games.

Not catching helps him endure that grind.

"It's just weird how much your approach changes when you don't have to carry the burden of handling a pitching staff," he said. "It took a while to get used to. I liked catching, because you didn't worry much about hitting. But I think [playing first] has helped my legs. Last year, in September and even in the playoffs, I felt I was still driving the ball and my legs felt great. Whereas a couple years ago, when I caught, it [took] its toll on you."

Indeed, preserving the legs is just as important as preserving the "Jungle Karma."

Pitching matchup
CLE: RHP Fausto Carmona (1-0, 1.29 ERA)
Carmona might have a target on his back after his breakout, 19-win season. But he also still has a devastating sinkerball -- and that latter quality reigned supreme in a victory over the White Sox on a bitterly cold Wednesday night at Progressive Field. With the temperatures in the low 30s, Carmona did his part to chill the Sox bats for seven innings in which he gave up just a run on four hits with four walks and four strikeouts. He induced three double plays and 16 ground-ball outs.

LAA: LHP Joe Saunders (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
In the best of his 34 career starts, Saunders dominated the Twins for eight innings at the Metrodome his last time out, yielding four hits and a walk while striking out four. Putting all four of his pitches where he wanted in any count, he needed only 80 deliveries, 52 for strikes, to get through eight innings. He wanted to finish what would have been his first complete game and first shutout, but Francisco Rodriguez closed for the save. Saunders has won both his career starts against the Indians, registering a 1.32 ERA.

Tidbits
Martinez will start Monday's game if he responds well to pregame batting practice and running drills. Martinez has been out of the lineup since straining his left hamstring on Opening Day. ... The Indians scored six total runs in the three games in Oakland. ... Franklin Gutierrez is 0-for-his-last-15.

Tickets
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On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
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On radio
• WTAM 1100

Up next
• Tuesday: Indians (Jake Westbrook, 0-1, 2.45) at Angels (Ervin Santana, 1-0, 3.00), 10:05 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Indians (Paul Byrd, 0-1, 6.23) at Angels (Dustin Moseley, 1-0, 9.00), 3:35 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Off-day