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Carmona takes mound as Indians face Rangers

Apr 7, 2009 - 8:14 PM By Dan Pieringer Stats Writer

Cleveland (0-1) at Texas (1-0) 8:05 p.m. EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians had to like their chances to win their season opener with the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner starting and a healthy and dynamic offense backing him up.

The Indians, however, couldn't keep up with the Texas Rangers on the mound or at the plate.

The Rangers look to build on a strong performance across the board in their opener and start 2-0 for the first time since 2000 when they continue a three-game series against the Indians on Wednesday night.

Cleveland's Cliff Lee was the AL's best pitcher last season with a 22-3 record and a 2.54 ERA, but he was rocked for seven runs in five innings of a 9-1 loss at Texas in the season opener Monday.

Lee didn't get much help from his offense, which managed only five hits against Texas ace Kevin Millwood despite having Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner back after injury-plagued seasons in 2008. The Indians' Nos. 3 and 4 hitters combined to go 2-for-8 with one run scored.

As disappointing as that game was for the Indians, the Rangers are feeling pretty good after recording their highest run total in an opener since they beat the Chicago White Sox 10-4 in 2000. It was also the lowest run total they've allowed in an opener since a 4-0 win over Detroit on April 4, 1989.

"Certainly did what we wanted to do - pitched well, good defense and did what we do best, swing the bats," manager Ron Washington said. "It was a very good beginning."

Washington's club is in position to win its first two games for the first time since 2000. That would be a refreshing change of pace for a Texas team that's finished with a losing record in eight of the last nine seasons.

"There's that quiet confidence about this team. Not many people share that with us, but that's OK," Millwood said. "We believe in each other. That's how it felt before the game, during the game and after the game."

Texas had six players with at least two hits Monday, including second baseman Ian Kinsler who was 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Designated hitter Hank Blalock was 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia went 2-for-4 with a home run while driving in three.

"It was a good way to start," said Michael Young, the five-time All-Star shortstop who had two hits in his first career start at third base. "We know we have to have a lot of efforts like the one we had today in order to have the season we want to have."

The Rangers now get to face Indians right-hander Fausto Carmona, who's hoping to bounce back from a frustrating 2008 campaign. After going 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA in 2007, Carmona was 8-7 with a 5.44 ERA last year.

Indians manager Eric Wedge thinks Carmona worked out the kinks while going 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA in seven spring training appearances.

"The greatest thing a player can do is have an understanding of himself and what he needs to do to fix himself," Wedge told the Indians' official Web site. "I think that's what Fausto is learning."

Carmona is 2-3 with a 4.40 ERA in five career starts against the Rangers, who will counter with Vicente Padilla. The right-hander went 14-8 with a 4.74 ERA in 29 starts in 2008. In six career starts against the Indians, he's 2-2 with a 6.82 ERA.