The Indians began a seven-game road trip Friday by finally getting a look at the Carl Pavano they hoped to see this year, after signing him over the winter as a free agent to a one-year $1.5 million contract. Pavano pitched into the eighth inning to get his first win for the Indians, a 6-5 victory over Detroit.
In 7 1/3 innings, Pavano held the Tigers to two earned runs on five hits, with no walks and three strikeouts. That was a far cry from the numbers Pavano put up in his first four starts, in which he had a record of 0-3 and a 9.50 ERA. Pavano's statistics in those first four starts were seriously tainted by his first start of the season, versus Texas, in which he was charged with nine runs in just one inning of work. He has gotten progressively better since that start, capped by his win Friday night in Detroit.
The Indians need a solid season from Pavano. Although they only signed him to a one-year contract worth just $1.5 million, the Indians are counting heavily on him to be one of the leaders of their rotation.
Pavano is the Indians' No. 3 starter, and the Indians would like to see him reach double-figures in wins while bringing some veteran presence to a starting rotation whose only other real veteran is Cliff Lee. Friday's victory was a step in the right direction for the 33-year-old right-hander.
INDIANS 6, TIGERS 5: RHP Carl Pavano pitched into the eighth inning to earn his first victory as a member of the Indians, and OF David Dellucci had a four hit night in his first game after being activated off the DL. SS Jhonny Peralta hit his first home run of the season, and the 86th of his career, breaking Woodie Held's club record for career home runs by a shortstop.
