No pitching staff in the American League has walked more batters than the Indians'. Cleveland's team total of 487 is 10 more than any other team in the league. Thursday in Detroit, four Indians pitchers combined to walk eight batters, and it cost them a game. Two of the eight batters who walked eventually ended up scoring, and that was the difference in the Indians' 4-3 loss. A lack of control has been a problem for Cleveland pitchers all season. Both starting pitchers and relievers have been plagued by walks.
The pitchers' inability to throw strikes was particularly pronounced Thursday. Indians pitchers only gave up five hits in 10 innings, but Detroit kept getting extra baserunners thanks to walks.
Right-hander Fausto Carmona had a decent outing, allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings. But Carmona walked five, which led to a couple of runs.
Carmona has struggled with his control ever since his 19-win season in 2007. He had trouble throwing strikes last year, in what was a disappointing season for him. And he was banished to the minor leagues for a month in the middle of this season, in part to work on his control.
Carmona's command had been a little better since his return from the minors, but Thursday his wildness contributed to another Indians defeat.
TIGERS 4, INDIANS 3 (10 innings): Indians pitchers walked eight batters, which led to another loss as Detroit swept the three-game series. Fausto Carmona walked five in six-plus innings. Rafael Perez (4-3) walked two in one-third of an inning and took the loss. Shin-Soo Choo had a two-run double, and Kelly Shoppach had two hits to lead Cleveland's offense.
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