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Indians' staff rolling, hands ball to Carmona vs. Orioles

Aug 11, 2008 - 1:23 PM Baltimore (56-60) at Cleveland (52-64) 7:05 pm. EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Suddenly, Cliff Lee isn't the only starter the Cleveland Indians can count on.

Fausto Carmona takes the hill Monday as the Indians aim to continue their string of stellar pitching performances in the opener a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles.

Lee tossed eight scoreless innings Sunday as the Indians completed a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays with a 4-0 victory. With an American League-leading 16 wins, Lee is responsible for 31 percent of Cleveland's victories - the highest mark in the majors.

But recently other members of the staff have been stepping up. Indians' starters allowed just four runs in 23 1/3 innings vs. Baltimore. Carmona (5-4, 4.46 ERA) is looking to shake off the rust and do his part to contribute A 19-game winner a season ago, Carmona has struggled since returning from a two-month stint on the disabled list.

He is 1-2 with a 10.66 ERA in three starts since recovering from a strained left hip. On Tuesday, the righthander allowed four runs and three hits in four innings of an 8-4 loss to Tampa Bay.

The Orioles counter with converted Dennis Sarfate (4-2, 4.58), who is making his third career start. Sarfate allowed five runs and six hits in three innings, but did not factor into the decision in a 6-5 loss to Anaheim last Monday.