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Indians hope Carmona returns to form vs. Angels

Aug 16, 2008 - 10:10 AM LA Angels (75-55) at Cleveland (55-66) 3:55 p.m. EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim look to avoid losing three straight for the first time since June when they take on the Cleveland Indians on Saturday.

After a 12-inning loss against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, American League Cy Young favorite Cliff Lee pitched a complete game in the Indians' 3-2 win in the series opener.

The Angels send John Lackey (9-2, 3.15) to the mound, attempting to prevent the first three-game losing skid since June 25-28, only the second time on the season Los Angeles had lost more than two straight.

Lackey has won three straight decisions, but was not the pitcher of record in either of his last two starts, both against the New York Yankees. The righthander has been stellar on the road, going 4-0 in his last six starts. He has not lost a start away from Angel Stadium since May 25.

Mark Teixeira has a seven-game hitting streak, including five multi-hit games and back-to-back three-hit efforts in his last two games.

The Indians counter with righthander Fausto Carmona (5-4, 4.91). The 24-year-old has struggled since returning from the disabled list on July 26, posting a 1-2 record in four starts with a 10.42 ERA.

Carmona has struggled with his command in both stints with the Indians this season, walking 51 batters in 77 innings, compard to just 35 strikeouts.

After storming onto the scene last season with a 19-8 record and 3.06 ERA, Carmona has failed to duplicate that success. He was 4-1 before being pulled during a start on May 23 and missing more than two months with a sprained left hip.