Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos “Cookie” Carrasco was unable to get out of the first inning in Friday’s 8-1 loss in Kansas City.
The last thing the Cleveland Indians needed with Jefry Rodriguez making his debut Saturday was a short outing from Carlos Carrasco. Unfortunately that is just what they got. Carrasco was only able to go 2/3 of an inning in Friday’s loss. Cookie allowed six runs on six hits while only striking out one. Carrasco’s velocity on his fastball was down and his breaking pitches did not break. Just about everything was over the heart of the plate and Kansas City made him pay. With Carrasco’s short outing the Indians bullpen is in a rough spot.
After Carrasco’s exit the Indians went with a parade of bullpen arms. Nick Wittgren, Tyler Olson, Dan Otero, Oliver Perez, Jon Edwards and Neil Ramirez all followed Carrasco. Olson was the only reliever to allow a run. An unearned run did come across to score with Perez on the mound in the sixth inning.
Cleveland’s extensive bullpen usage in the first game of the series does not bode well for the rest of the weekend. Since Jefry Rodriguez is starting Saturday there was already the chance that the bullpen would see extensive work. Now if Rodriguez struggles, Cleveland will be in an even worse spot,
The Indians offense only scored one run on the day. The run came courtesy of a Tyler Naquin solo shot in the top of the second. This was Naquin’s first of the season. Outside of Naquin’s home run, there was not a lot to write home about. Leonys Martin went 1-2 with two walks. Carlos Santana was 0-1 with three walks. Jose Ramirez was 1-4 with a double. Hanley Ramirez is 1-4.
