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Indians target ninth straight win in Anaheim

Apr 12, 2011 - 2:53 PM (Sports Network) - Things didn't look good for the Cleveland Indians and starter Fausto Carmona at the start of the season. Both have turned things around in a hurry.

Carmona looks to build off his excellent start last time out and the Indians go for a ninth straight victory as they continue their three-game road series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Cleveland was tagged for 23 runs in losing back-to-back games to start the season. Indians pitching has allowed just 14 runs since, winning eight straight for the first time since a 10-game run from Aug. 17-27, 2008 and helping the Tribe to their best start since going 11-1 in 2002.

Carmona may be the best example of the turnaround this season. The right- hander was drilled for 10 runs over just three innings of a loss to the White Sox on April 1, but rebounded with seven scoreless innings versus the Red Sox on Thursday. Carmona worked around two hits and a pair of walks while striking out four, but got a no-decision in his team's 1-0 victory.

The 27-year-old is winless in seven career games and four starts versus the Angels, going 0-2 despite a 2.05 earned run average.

The Indians picked up the second shutout of their winning streak last night, blanking the Angels, 4-0. Mitch Talbot gave up five hits over eight-plus innings, while Vinnie Pestano closed out the ninth.

The offense came in the form of the longball, with Asdrubal Cabrera ripping a solo homer in the first and Matt LaPorta adding a three-run shot in the second.

"Getting runs early helped," Talbot said. "I was a little more aggressive after that. I was locating my fastball and I am thrilled going eight shutout innings, but I really wanted to finish because my parents were here."

With Dan Haren having his start pushed back until tonight due to a relief appearance in Saturday's 14-inning win over Toronto, Tyler Chatwood make his major league debut on Monday and took the loss. He yielded four runs on four hits over four innings as Los Angeles lost for the second time in six games.

"(Chatwood) got into a lot of hitting counts," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He just couldn't get it in the zone and it hurt him in the second inning."

With an extra day of rest, Haren will try to continue his excellent start. The right-hander has a 1.15 ERA over 15 2/3 innings, striking out 13 batters without a walk. He picked up his first victory of the season last Wednesday at Tampa Bay, yielding a run on four hits over 7 2/3 innings before picking up his second win over the weekend against the Blue Jays.

The 30-year-old righty is 2-2 with a 4.93 ERA in seven career starts against the Indians.

Cleveland won the 2010 season series by a slim 5-4 margin, with the clubs splitting six games at Angels Stadium.