Cleveland @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 14, 2012 ) Cleveland 6, LA Angels 9
The Los Angeles Angels attempt to win their first series since late July when they host the Cleveland Indians in the rubber game of their three-game series. Los Angeles has not captured a series since taking two of three against Kansas City from July 23-25, going 0-4-1 over its last five sets. The Angels halted their three-game losing streak Tuesday as they held on for a 9-6 triumph, giving Zack Greinke his first win in four starts with the club after being acquired from Milwaukee.
Los Angeles, which had lost nine of its previous 12 contests, trails Texas by seven games in the American League West but is just 2 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot. The Indians fell to 1-1 on their nine-game road trip. They had won four of their previous six games.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Roberto Hernandez (NR) vs. Angels RH Ervin Santana (5-10, 5.82)
Formerly known as Fausto Carmona, Hernandez makes his first start since Sept. 25 following legal issues relating to identity fraud and a suspension. The 31-year-old Dominican made four rehab starts in the minors, going 2-1 with a 4.07 ERA while recording 20 strikeouts and just four walks in 24 1/3 innings. Hernandez has yet to defeat the Angels, going 0-3 despite registering a 1.58 ERA in 10 career games - including seven starts.
Santana is coming off a no-decision against Seattle on Friday in which he surrendered five runs over 6 1/3 innings. The enigmatic 29-year-old had allowed three runs in each of his previous two starts after a stretch of four outings during which he yielded 23 runs over 14 frames. Santana fell to 1-8 in 13 career outings against the Indians when he was tagged for eight runs while recording only four outs at Cleveland on July 4.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels OF Mark Trumbo has homered just twice in his last 21 games while 1B Albert Pujols has gone deep in each of the first two contests against the Indians.
2. Cleveland LHP Chris Seddon returned to the bullpen after starting against Boston on Friday and allowed a run and five hits over 2 1/3 innings on Tuesday.
3. Pujols is fifth in the AL with 82 RBIs and ninth with 26 home runs.