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Indians-Blue Jays Preview

Jul 23, 2009 - 4:24 AM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Cleveland (37-57) at Toronto (46-48), 12:37 p.m. EDT

When Scott Richmond was placed on the disabled list earlier this month, left-hander Marc Rzepczynski wasn't even the Toronto Blue Jays' first choice of replacing the right-hander in the rotation.

But following Rzepczynski's last start, Toronto is starting to see the 23-year-old rookie as a more than viable option.

Coming off his first major league victory, Rzepczynski takes the mound Thursday afternoon at Rogers Centre where the Blue Jays go for their first series win at home against the Cleveland Indians since 2007.

After Richmond was sent to the disabled list July 4 with right shoulder tendinitis, Toronto was going to call up Brad Mills from Triple-A Las Vegas, but after the left-hander bruised his ribs during a start, the Blue Jays promoted Rzepczynski (1-1, 2.50 ERA) from Las Vegas on July 7.

Making his third career start Saturday, Rzepczynski yielded one run and four hits over six innings in a 6-2 victory over Boston.

"He just looks like he belongs here," said Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston, whose club has won three of four after dropping 14 of its previous 18. "He handles himself that way, and the fact that he doesn't get riled out there at all. He seems to be able to deal with pressure."

Toronto (47-48) put plenty of pressure on Cleveland in Wednesday's 10-6 victory by hitting a season-high five-home runs. It was the Blue Jays' most runs in a win since a previous 10-6 win over the Indians on May 5, and their most homers since hitting five in beating the New York Yankees 13-5 on July 23, 2006.

Blue Jays shortstop Marco Scutaro had his first multihomer game Wednesday after hitting one home run in his previous 69 contests. He hit a solo shot during the Blue Jays' five-run fifth, then added a three-run shot in the sixth to counter Cleveland second baseman Luis Valbuena's three-run homer in the top of the frame.

"This is my best year, I feel so far, just because of playing time," said Scutaro, one homer shy of his career-high nine set in 2005 with Oakland. "That's pretty much what I'm trying to focus on, being consistent. That's the toughest thing, especially hitting, because sometimes your swing's not there everyday."

Scutaro is batting .370 (10 for 27) with three home runs as the Blue Jays have won four of seven versus the Indians in 2009.

Toronto, which had lost six of eight to Cleveland at Rogers Centre prior to Wednesday, last won a series at home against the Indians from July 6-8, 2007.

Cleveland (37-58), meanwhile, has lost 22 of 30 and is looking to avoid its fourth straight series loss. Since taking two of three from Oakland from July 3-5, the last-place Indians have dropped series to the Chicago White Sox, Detroit and Seattle.

David Huff (4-4, 6.60) takes the mound in the series finale as he looks to improve to 3-0 in his last four starts away from Progressive Field. The 24-year-old rookie left-hander allowed three runs and seven hits over five innings in Friday's 6-2 loss to visiting Seattle.

"I was throwing strikes and getting ahead, but they were hitting the ball," Huff said following his 108-pitch outing. "You've got to give it to them."

Indians first baseman Ryan Garko went 3 for 3 on Wednesday. He is hitting .471 (8 for 17) against Toronto this season.