Fausto Carmona
Encyclopedia
Fausto C. Carmona is a right-handed pitcher
for the Cleveland Indians
of Major League Baseball
. Carmona made his major league debut with the Indians on April 15, 2006. He was initially used as a starting pitcher
, but later in the season was turned into a reliever
, and now is a starting pitcher again.
He is known for his hard sinker
and exhibiting good control of his pitches. He did not throw exceptionally hard when he first debuted in the minor league
s at age 18, but has since developed a fastball
that can reach 97 mph. He also throws a slider
and a changeup
, but relies mostly on his hard sinker to get many ground ball outs.
Carmona was the first non-rehab start player and full-time roster member of the Lake County Captains
to play a game in the big leagues.
On April 10, , the Cleveland Indians signed Carmona to a four-year $15 million contract extension through 2011 with three individual club options through 2014. If the deal maxes out, Carmona will make $43 million, with the potential to make another $5 million in escalators.
On April 1, 2011, Fausto Carmona made his first opening day start for the Cleveland Indians. However, it did not go very well, as Carmona became the first starting pitcher to allow 10 runs in a team's first game in over 60 years.
Award").
at Comerica Park
. He pitched 6 innings giving up one earned run
and striking out
four. He won the game, his only win of the season.
On July 20, 2006, the Indians all-time saves leader Bob Wickman
was traded to the Atlanta Braves
and Carmona was forced into the role of the team closer
despite never having recorded a major league save.
In the span of seven days (from July 30 through August 5), Carmona recorded four losses and three blown saves for the Indians, including walk-off home run
s surrendered to Boston's
David Ortiz
and Detroit's Iván Rodríguez
. Carmona lost the closer's role to Tom Mastny
soon thereafter.
After the disastrous closer experiment, Carmona was demoted to the Buffalo Bisons
, the Indians' Class Triple-A
affiliate, where he was placed back in a starter's role. He was promoted to Cleveland again in September, and finished the season as a starter. Carmona ended the 2006 season with a record of 1–10 and a 5.42 ERA.
. However, after Cliff Lee
went down with an abdominal strain in spring training
that would force him to miss at least the first three weeks of the season, the Indians gave Carmona the opportunity to start in Lee's place. In his first start of the season on April 13, the Chicago White Sox
battered him for six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.
Carmona quickly rebounded, holding the New York Yankees
' potent offense to just 2 ER in 6 IP in his next start. He received a no decision, however, when Joe Borowski
allowed six runs in the ninth inning to give the Yankees the win. Carmona settled into a groove and won his next five starts, allowing just 5 ER over 39 IP. In the streak, Carmona beat two-time American League
Cy Young Award
winner Johan Santana
of the Minnesota Twins
twice and in one of his starts against the Twins, center fielder
Torii Hunter
was quoted saying, "I can't wait until we face normal pitchers. This guy's sinker is practically unhittable." The first victory came on April 24 in Minnesota, when Carmona allowed just 2 ER over 7 2/3 IP. The second start came at home on May 17, when Carmona tossed his first career complete game
shutout
, scattering just four hits
along the way.
On July 25, Carmona tossed eight shutout innings against the Boston Red Sox
in a 1–0 Indians win. The victory capped a 5–0 July for Carmona. Carmona went on to go 19–8 with a 3.06 ERA and 215 innings pitched for the 2007.
Carmona received serious consideration for the AL Cy Young award, along with teammate CC Sabathia, Boston's Josh Beckett
and the Angels'
John Lackey
. True to his dominant 2007 regular season form, Carmona, in his 1st career postseason game in Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS
against the Yankees and Andy Pettitte
, allowed 1 earned run on 3 hits over 9 innings in an extra-inning win for Cleveland. He finished fourth in the 2007 Cy Young vote.
On October 20, Carmona was battered by the Red Sox in Game 6 of the 2007 ALCS
, surrendering seven runs in two plus innings. He was knocked out of the game in the third inning of the Indians' 12–2 loss to the Sox at Fenway Park
.
for 2 months before making his return to the starting rotation on July 26.
On September 19 against Detroit
, Carmona hit Gary Sheffield with a pitch. The two exchanged words as Sheffield walked to first base with his bat tucked under this arm. Before the next pitch, Carmona made a pick-off throw to first base. Sheffield again started exchanging words with Carmona, and this time charged the mound
inducing a bench-clearing brawl
. Carmona was seen landing several punches to Sheffield's head, which left him bloodied. Carmona and Sheffield were both ejected, along with Indians catcher Víctor Martínez and Tigers second baseman Plácido Polanco
In front of a sellout crowd of 41,721 fans at Cleveland's ballpark Progressive Field, Carmona started the 2011 season for the Indians. Carmona would be dueling Chicago's Ace, Mark Buehrle, who made his ninth consecutive opening day start. Fausto posted the worst opening day start in Major League history, as he became the first starting pitcher to allow 10 runs in a team's first game. Carmona was the losing pitcher as he threw 88 pitches over 3.0 innings, allowed 11 hits, surrendered 2 home runs, walked 1, had 10 earned run
s and left the game with an earned run average
of 30.00. When pulled from the game, he was greeted with boos by fans who are unsure what to expect in 2011 from a team that lost 93 games last season. The last pitcher to allow 10-plus runs in an opener was Early Wynn
of the Washington Senators who accomplished the feat on April 19, 1948. In that game Wynn surrendered 12 runs but managed to pitch 8 1/3 innings.
On June 10, 2011, Carmona hit New York Yankees
first baseman Mark Teixeira
after giving up a solo home run to Curtis Granderson
. Benches emptied, but no punches were thrown.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. Carmona made his major league debut with the Indians on April 15, 2006. He was initially used as a starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
, but later in the season was turned into a reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
, and now is a starting pitcher again.
He is known for his hard sinker
Sinker (baseball)
In baseball, a sinker , is a type of fastball pitch which has significant downward and horizontal movement. The sinker is known for inducing a lot of ground balls...
and exhibiting good control of his pitches. He did not throw exceptionally hard when he first debuted in the minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
s at age 18, but has since developed a fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
that can reach 97 mph. He also throws a slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
and a changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
, but relies mostly on his hard sinker to get many ground ball outs.
Carmona was the first non-rehab start player and full-time roster member of the Lake County Captains
Lake County Captains
The Lake County Captains are a minor league baseball team in Eastlake, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. The team, a Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, plays in the Midwest League....
to play a game in the big leagues.
On April 10, , the Cleveland Indians signed Carmona to a four-year $15 million contract extension through 2011 with three individual club options through 2014. If the deal maxes out, Carmona will make $43 million, with the potential to make another $5 million in escalators.
On April 1, 2011, Fausto Carmona made his first opening day start for the Cleveland Indians. However, it did not go very well, as Carmona became the first starting pitcher to allow 10 runs in a team's first game in over 60 years.
Minor leagues
He was named the Indians' 2003 Minor League Player of the Year (receiving the "Lou BoudreauLou Boudreau
Louis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
Award").
2006 season
On April 15, 2006, Carmona made his debut when he started the game against the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
at Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
. He pitched 6 innings giving up one earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
and striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
four. He won the game, his only win of the season.
On July 20, 2006, the Indians all-time saves leader Bob Wickman
Bob Wickman
Robert Joe Wickman is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wickman played for the New York Yankees , Milwaukee Brewers , Cleveland Indians , Atlanta Braves , and Arizona Diamondbacks . He batted and threw right-handed...
was traded to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
and Carmona was forced into the role of the team closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
despite never having recorded a major league save.
In the span of seven days (from July 30 through August 5), Carmona recorded four losses and three blown saves for the Indians, including walk-off home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s surrendered to Boston's
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
David Ortiz
David Ortiz
David Américo Ortiz Arias , known as David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. Previously, Ortiz played with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox...
and Detroit's Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
. Carmona lost the closer's role to Tom Mastny
Tom Mastny
Thomas Raymond Mastny is a Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who plays in the Florida Marlins organization. He is pitching with Class AAA New Orleans Zephyrs. He stands 6 feet, 6 inches in height and weighs 220 pounds...
soon thereafter.
After the disastrous closer experiment, Carmona was demoted to the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
, the Indians' Class Triple-A
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
affiliate, where he was placed back in a starter's role. He was promoted to Cleveland again in September, and finished the season as a starter. Carmona ended the 2006 season with a record of 1–10 and a 5.42 ERA.
2007 season
In , Carmona was originally slated to be the Indians' spot starter and to start the season at the team's minor league affiliate, Triple-A BuffaloBuffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
. However, after Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
went down with an abdominal strain in spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
that would force him to miss at least the first three weeks of the season, the Indians gave Carmona the opportunity to start in Lee's place. In his first start of the season on April 13, the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
battered him for six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.
Carmona quickly rebounded, holding the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
' potent offense to just 2 ER in 6 IP in his next start. He received a no decision, however, when Joe Borowski
Joe Borowski (baseball player)
Joseph Thomas Borowski is a sports broadcaster for the Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as a former professional baseball right-handed relief pitcher...
allowed six runs in the ninth inning to give the Yankees the win. Carmona settled into a groove and won his next five starts, allowing just 5 ER over 39 IP. In the streak, Carmona beat two-time American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
winner Johan Santana
Johan Santana
Johan Alexander Santana Araque is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who is currently playing for the New York Mets. He is a native of Venezuela....
of the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
twice and in one of his starts against the Twins, center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
Torii Hunter
Torii Hunter
Torii Kedar Hunter is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.Hunter has taken away many home runs throughout his 13-year major league career by "climbing the fence" in the outfield. He has won nine consecutive Gold Glove Awards as an outfielder.Hunter resides...
was quoted saying, "I can't wait until we face normal pitchers. This guy's sinker is practically unhittable." The first victory came on April 24 in Minnesota, when Carmona allowed just 2 ER over 7 2/3 IP. The second start came at home on May 17, when Carmona tossed his first career complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
, scattering just four hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
along the way.
On July 25, Carmona tossed eight shutout innings against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in a 1–0 Indians win. The victory capped a 5–0 July for Carmona. Carmona went on to go 19–8 with a 3.06 ERA and 215 innings pitched for the 2007.
Carmona received serious consideration for the AL Cy Young award, along with teammate CC Sabathia, Boston's Josh Beckett
Josh Beckett
Joshua Patrick Beckett is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. During his career in the playoffs, he won the 2003 World Series MVP Award with the Florida Marlins, and received the 2007 ALCS MVP award with the Red Sox.-Florida Marlins :A...
and the Angels'
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
John Lackey
John Lackey
John Derran Lackey is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Lackey was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 1999 and helped the franchise win its first World Series title in 2002, which was his first season in the major leagues...
. True to his dominant 2007 regular season form, Carmona, in his 1st career postseason game in Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS
American League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series...
against the Yankees and Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...
, allowed 1 earned run on 3 hits over 9 innings in an extra-inning win for Cleveland. He finished fourth in the 2007 Cy Young vote.
On October 20, Carmona was battered by the Red Sox in Game 6 of the 2007 ALCS
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
, surrendering seven runs in two plus innings. He was knocked out of the game in the third inning of the Indians' 12–2 loss to the Sox at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
.
2008 season
Carmona started the 2008 season off strong before going down on May 24 with a left hip strain after running to cover first base. He stayed on the disabled listDisabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
for 2 months before making his return to the starting rotation on July 26.
On September 19 against Detroit
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, Carmona hit Gary Sheffield with a pitch. The two exchanged words as Sheffield walked to first base with his bat tucked under this arm. Before the next pitch, Carmona made a pick-off throw to first base. Sheffield again started exchanging words with Carmona, and this time charged the mound
Charging the mound
In baseball, charging the mound is when a batter assaults the pitcher, usually the result of being hit by a pitch or nearly being hit by a pitch. The first incidence of a professional charging of the mound has not been identified but the practice certainly dates back to the game's early days...
inducing a bench-clearing brawl
Bench-clearing brawl
A bench-clearing brawl, sometimes known as a basebrawl or a rhubarb, is a form of ritualistic fighting that occurs in sports, most notably baseball and ice hockey, in which every player on both teams leave their dugouts, bullpens, or benches and charge the playing area in order to fight one...
. Carmona was seen landing several punches to Sheffield's head, which left him bloodied. Carmona and Sheffield were both ejected, along with Indians catcher Víctor Martínez and Tigers second baseman Plácido Polanco
Plácido Polanco
Plácido Enrique Polanco is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies and has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. He is a third baseman, but in the past has played second base and shortstop...
2009 season
Carmona had a sub par season, starting 24 games for Cleveland, going 5–12 with 6.32 ERA. He struck out 79 batters in 125.1 innings. The Indians finished the year 4th in the AL Central with 65–97 record.2010 season
Carmona improved dramatically from 2009 and was honored with his 1st All Star selection. As of August 3, he had an 11–8 record with a 3.78 ERA, while striking out 77 batters in 138 innings. He has been the lone bright spot in the Cleveland starting rotation.2011 season
On February 28, 2011, Indians Manager Manny Acta announced that Carmona had been selected as his starter for Cleveland's season opener against the Chicago White Sox. The April 1st start would be his first on opening day.In front of a sellout crowd of 41,721 fans at Cleveland's ballpark Progressive Field, Carmona started the 2011 season for the Indians. Carmona would be dueling Chicago's Ace, Mark Buehrle, who made his ninth consecutive opening day start. Fausto posted the worst opening day start in Major League history, as he became the first starting pitcher to allow 10 runs in a team's first game. Carmona was the losing pitcher as he threw 88 pitches over 3.0 innings, allowed 11 hits, surrendered 2 home runs, walked 1, had 10 earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
s and left the game with an earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 30.00. When pulled from the game, he was greeted with boos by fans who are unsure what to expect in 2011 from a team that lost 93 games last season. The last pitcher to allow 10-plus runs in an opener was Early Wynn
Early Wynn
Early Wynn Jr. , nicknamed "Gus", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 25-year baseball career, he pitched for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox...
of the Washington Senators who accomplished the feat on April 19, 1948. In that game Wynn surrendered 12 runs but managed to pitch 8 1/3 innings.
On June 10, 2011, Carmona hit New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
first baseman Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...
after giving up a solo home run to Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
. Benches emptied, but no punches were thrown.