Rain leads to doubleheader for Tribe

5/12/2008

CLEVELAND Postponed by rain yesterday, the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians are scheduled to play the first traditional doubleheader at Progressive Field in more than 10 years.

Right-handers A.J. Burnett of Toronto and Cleveland s Fausto Carmona, who were yesterday s scheduled starters, are set to pitch the first game today at4:05 p.m.

Indians left-hander Cliff Lee, off to an impressive start this season at 6-0 with a microscopic 0.81 ERA, will face Shaun Marcum in the nightcap that will start 30 minutes after the end of the opener.

The Indians have played only four traditional doubleheaders at home since their ballpark opened in 1994 and none since Aug. 13, 1997, against Detroit. In recent years, the Indians have rescheduled postponed games on open dates or as part of day-night doubleheaders.

Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said the rainout means the club likely will have to call up a pitcher from the minors on Friday so the five-man rotation can continue to work on regular rest.

We re thinking about what we re going to do, Wedge said. That would ve been Carmona s day, but not now.

With left-hander Aaron Laffey already up from Triple-A Buffalo and in the rotation in place of right-hander Jake Westbrook, lefty Jeremy Sowers could get the call.

Sowers made a spot start against the New York Yankees on April 26 before going back to Buffalo. Westbrook has been sidelined since April 22 with a strained muscle in his left rib cage.

Burnett (3-3) will start on five days rest, not the right-hander s favorite routine. He s 42-36 with a 3.43 ERA on normal rest and 30-33 with a 4.33 ERA in any other situation when starting.

The postponement allows Cleveland outfielder Jason Tyner a chance to get settled. Tyner was added to the Indians roster when right-handed pitcher Tom Mastny was sent back to Buffalo after Cleveland s 12-0 win Saturday night.

This was a messed-up day, but I m real happy to be here, said Tyner, who signed a minor league contract in February. This was a surprise a good surprise. I m eager to help out wherever they want me.

Wedge said having the 31-year-old on the team will enable him to make late moves.

He s another left-handed bat, gives us some speed on the bases and in the field and some lineup flexibility, Wedge said.

Tyner hit .234 (22-for-94) with one homer and seven RBIs in 31 games at Buffalo.

He batted .370 (10-for-27) over his last eight games. In parts of seven seasons in the majors, Tyner has a .275 average.