NewsTribe's Garko ready for expanded role
Oakland (33-44) at Cleveland (31-49), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
07/01/09 10:25 PM ET
CLEVELAND -- Manager Eric Wedge said he's going to make an effort to get Ryan Garko into the Indians' lineup more consistently going forward. That's music to the ears of Garko, who has never started more than four games in a row this season and has started four consecutively just six times. Garko is hoping to remain in the lineup Friday, when the Indians open up a three-game, holiday weekend set against the A's at Progressive Field. "I want to play every day," Garko said. "I certainly think I can handle it. I've handled it in the past." Though Garko had an inconsistent season in 2008, he nonetheless led the club with 90 RBIs. But he's found himself in a dogfight for at-bats in '09 because of Wedge's efforts to make backup catcher Kelly Shoppach a quasi-regular, thus ensuring Victor Martinez sees about half of his time at the first-base position that was once Garko's domain. Wedge has given Garko the occasional start in the corner outfield to keep his bat in the lineup, but that's obviously not an arrangement that gives the Tribe its strongest defensive outlook. But Shoppach has made it more and more difficult for Wedge to give him regular starts through his propensity for strikeouts and his struggle with throws from behind the plate, and that benefits Garko's playing time. The trade of Mark DeRosa to the Cardinals has loosened up the lineup a bit as well. Now, it's up to Garko to make the most of what is expected to be an opportunity more conducive to big league success. "It's hard to get hot when you don't play every day," he said. "When you're hot and you sit a day, you kind of lose it. And when you're not swinging well, you're searching for it either way." Garko, who entered Wednesday batting .260 with a .799 OPS in 169 at-bats, said he's tried to adjust to the life of a part-time player behind the scenes. "You have to learn when to do extra work and when to back off," he said. "We've tried all kinds of stuff." Garko said he feels like he's put up a consistent approach at the plate, but without consistent plate appearances, he hasn't found a groove. "I still consider myself an everyday player," he said. "If I'm given at-bats, I'm going to produce runs." If Wedge follows through with his efforts, then Garko should have a chance to back up that claim. Pitching matchupCLE: LHP David Huff (3-3, 6.26 ERA)
Huff had shown some sort of improvement pretty much every time he took the mound in his first eight starts in the big leagues, but he took his first step back against the Reds on Sunday. In five innings of work, Huff allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits with a walk and three strikeouts. He did not have the command that had made him so effective in some of the outings that preceded this one. OAK: RHP Trevor Cahill (5-6, 4.23 ERA)
After pitching like a 10-year veteran his last time out with seven innings of one-run ball, Cahill let his youth show last Saturday. Colorado tagged Cahill, who is 21, for four home runs. The right-hander gave up seven runs on eight hits, needing 82 pitches to get through 3 2/3 innings. It was the first time an Oakland pitcher had allowed four home runs in a game since Barry Zito was dealt the same hand in a 14-0 loss to the Rangers on Aug. 9, 2006. Tidbits
Wedge said he received positive reports about Fausto Carmona's second Minor League outing Tuesday night. Carmona, pitching for Double-A Akron, allowed just a run on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts over seven innings. "The progress has been pretty consistent with him," Wedge said. But the Indians remain mum on Carmona's timetable. All that's certain is he will definitely get at least one more start in the Minors. ... Rafael Betancourt (strained right groin) threw a two-inning, 35-pitch simulated session Wednesday. "I feel pain-free," Betancourt said. "I feel good right now." If Betancourt still feels good Thursday morning, he'll likely join Aaron Laffey in a rehab appearance at Triple-A Columbus on Friday. ... The Double-A Akron Aeros had five players picked to play in the the Eastern League All-Star Game, which takes place July 15 in Trenton, N.J. Infielder Beau Mills and right-hander Hector Rondon were fan ballot selections, while catcher Carlos Santana, outfielder Nick Weglarz and right-hander Vinnie Pestano were also tabbed to represent the Southern Team. ... Friday's postgame fireworks display will be a musical tribute to the late Michael Jackson. Tickets
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• Saturday: Athletics (Vin Mazzaro, 2-3, 2.95) at Indians (Carl Pavano, 6-7, 5.56), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Athletics (Brett Anderson, 4-7, 5.45) at Indians (Cliff Lee, 4-7, 3.39), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day
Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
