He's trying to fix it, but as with most facets of the 2008 Indians, it's a work in progress.

"I've just got to stop worrying about my swing and just get back to competing and grinding out at-bats," Garko said. "That's the kind of player I was when I first got called up and I just need to get back to it."

The Indians certainly don't expect the Garko who came up midway through the 2006 season and averaged nearly an RBI a game -- 45 over 50 games. But manager Eric Wedge definitely expects more than what he's gotten from his everyday first baseman so far this season -- batting .244 with eight homers and 50 RBIs.

More importantly, though, Wedge wants to have confidence that Garko, who isn't in the everyday lineup for his defense, can deliver more often than not in clutch situations.

"He needs to be a run producer," Wedge said. "When he gets up there in those RBI opportunities, he needs to come through for us."

If anything serves as the best representation of the Indians' struggles, it's been Garko. A dependable power source in 2007, delivering 21 homers and 61 RBIs, the 27-year-old righty has had a number of puzzling at-bats this season.

From June 9 to July 12, Garko went without an extra-base hit, as he often flailed with a definitive uppercut. Since the 12th, though, he has been much better, notching six extra-base hits (four doubles and two homers) to go with a .297 average and 10 RBIs.

Without having to look over his shoulder now that Casey Blake is gone, Garko hopes the comfort that comes with knowing he will be in the lineup on most days rubs off on his slumping bat.

"It helps physically and mentally just to be in there to keep your timing and get consistent at-bats," Garko said. "I take at-bats anyway I can get them and try to make the most of them and continue to try to play and get better."

It all starts with remembering what he did in the past, but still keeping a clear head when he steps into the batter's box.

"I just have to stay positive and stay confident," Garko said. "I haven't had a ton of success but I have a little bit of a track record that I can fall back on."

Pitching matchup
CLE: RHP Fausto Carmona (4-3, 4.33 ERA)
The only thing Carmona can take away from his first start back from the disabled list was that he didn't go back on the DL. Carmona was out of control from the start and never got settled in a shellacking at the hands of the Twins on Saturday. Carmona lasted 2 1/3 innings, allowing nine runs on seven hits in an atrocious welcome back to the big leagues. Luckily, Carmona will have two things working in his favor on Thursday. It will be daytime and he will be facing the Tigers. Carmona is 11-4 lifetime when the lights are off and is 4-2 with a 3.05 ERA all-time against Detroit.

DET: RHP Justin Verlander (8-10, 4.29 ERA)
Verlander had one of the shortest outings of his career his last time out. He lasted only four innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits to give him double-digit losses for the first time in his career. It also marked the first time Verlander went just four innings since Aug. 22 against the Indians. The star righty's impressive stretch came to an end. He yielded more than three earned runs in a start for the first time since May 31. He had allowed two earned runs or fewer in his last eight starts. In his last two starts against the Tribe, Verlander has given up a combined five earned runs on seven hits.

Tidbits
The Tribe has homered in 22 of its past 25 games. ... Cliff Lee's five-inning effort Wednesday was his shortest since June 9 and raised his ERA (2.58) by .29 points. It lifted his home ERA (2.42) by .71 points ... Kelly Shoppach became the second Indian this season to notch four extra-base hits in a single game. Jhonny Peralta was the other. Shoppach ended with a record-tying five extra-base hits, including two home runs.

Tickets
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On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
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On radio
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Up next
• Friday: Indians (Jeremy Sowers, 1-5, 5.86) at Twins (Nick Blackburn, 7-6, 3.69), 8:10 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Indians (Paul Byrd, 5-10, 4.93) at Twins (Kevin Slowey, 7-7, 4.00), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Indians (Matt Ginter, 1-2, 4.20) at Twins (Glen Perkins, 8-3, 4.20), 2:10 p.m. ET