This hasn't been the kind of follow-up year Fausto Carmona was looking for, but he appears to be intent on finishing strong. Carmona pitched six strong innings Friday night to get the win in the Indians' 7-5 victory over Texas.
Carmona allowed just one unearned run in his six innings of work, improving his record to 6-5. That's a far cry from his 2007 season, when he was 19-8 in helping lead the Indians to a division title. Carmona's encore to that season was sabotaged this year by a strained hip that caused him to spend about two months on the disabled list.
Only now is he rounding into the shape he was in before he got injured. The Indians are going to be counting on Carmona even more in the coming seasons, especially with ace CC Sabathia having been traded.
The 24-year-old Carmona will now team with Cliff Lee as the two workhorses at the top of the Indians' starting rotation. The two pitchers figure to be at the top of the rotation when the Indians open the 2009 season. So it's important that Carmona finish this season strong to answer any lingering questions about the condition of his hip.
INDIANS 7, RANGERS 5: RHP Fausto Carmona held Texas to one unearned run over six innings Friday to get the victory, the Indians' fifth win in a row. OF Ben Francisco had three hits and 1B Ryan Garko mashed a two-run double to lead an 11-hit Indians attack.
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