Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Miley makes first start in Cleveland, opposes Carrasco

Wade Miley came into the season having pitched in 27 of the 30 Major League parks, but he's added Safeco Field to that list and now the 30-year-old Mariners southpaw will make his Progressive Field debut in Cleveland on Tuesday.
Miley faces Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco in the opener of a three-game series, with neither veteran having much experience against their opponent.
Carrasco, 29, has started against the Mariners just once, back in 2011 in his first full season. Carrasco threw six innings and allowed just one run on four hits in a 12-3 victory at Safeco. He also threw one-third of an inning of relief in a game against Seattle in '14.
The 6-foot-4 Venezuelan is 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts this year and is coming off a strong eight-inning outing at Tampa Bay when he allowed four hits with one run and eight strikeouts in a 4-1 win.
Miley has also made just one start against the Indians in his six years in the Majors, taking a no-decision in 2014 while with the D-backs when he allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits in a four-inning outing. The lefty from Louisiana is still looking for his first win with Seattle after going 0-1 with an 8.25 ERA in two starts against the Rangers.
The only park remaining on Miley's bucket list following Tuesday will be Target Field in Minnesota, which the Mariners visit in their final road trip this year in late September.
Miley will be the seventh left-handed starter the Indians have faced in their first 11 games this season. Heading into Sunday, Cleveland was batting .214 against southpaws with a .586 OPS. Outfielders Marlon Byrd and Collin Cowgill, who were added to help against lefty pitching, were a combined 1-for-19 against southpaws through the Tribe's first 10 games.
Three things to know about this game
• Manny Acta, who managed the Indians from 2010-12, returns as the Mariners' third-base coach under new skipper Scott Servais. Acta drew high praise for sending shortstop Ketel Marte home for a key run in a 3-2 victory at Yankee Stadium on Saturday when Marte scored from first on a single to center by Robinson Cano.
• Cano, who has five homers in Seattle's first 12 games, is one of the few Mariners with any history against Carrasco. The six-time All-Star second baseman has fared well in three games against the right-hander, hitting .556 (5-for-9) with two doubles, a home run and four RBIs.
• Indians reliever Bryan Shaw allowed nine runs through his first 3 1/3 innings, but manager Terry Francona has no plans of removing him from the setup role. Shaw's velocity is up from a year ago, but his command has been an issue. For now, he will continue to be the main bridge to closer Cody Allen.

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