The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Carrasco cheered in return from leukemia
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. » This was no ordinary outing for Carlos Carrasco, and everyone at Tropicana Field knew it.
The popular Indians pitcher nicknamed Cookie made his return to the mound from leukemia Sept. 1 and was applauded by both teams in a touching scene during Tampa Bay’s 8-2 victory that completed a three-game sweep.
Carrasco entered in the seventh inning for his first major
league appearance since being diagnosed with a treatable form of leukemia in June. The right-hander received a standing ovation from the crowd, and players from both sides cheered while standing in front of their respective dugouts.
“Even the other team came out. My teammates, that was great because they have supported me from Day One to now,” Carrasco said. “It’s unbelievable.”
Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor went to the mound and hugged an emotional Carrasco, who was activated before the game following several minor league rehab outings.
“He told me, ‘Welcome back, Cookie,’” Carrasco said. “‘This is you. This is you right here. We are behind you. Just go and throw the ball.’”
Normally a starter, Carrasco is expected to pitch in relief for the Indians as they chase a playoff spot down the stretch. He worked one inning and gave up two hits, including Travis d’Arnaud’s runscoring single.
“It was a lot to think about,” Carrasco said. “I was trying to hold the game right there, but in the end I gave up one run. But I’m healthy and it was go to the next pitch and go from there.”
Lindor gave Carrasco the game ball from the third out of the seventh, a grounder by Joey Wendle, as the Indians headed off the field.
“Certainly, you saw the respect and the admiration that his teammates have for him,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash, a former Cleveland coach. “Anytime you deal with a guy that has an illness and is able to recover and get back on the field like that, it’s pretty special.”
Charlie Morton earned his 14th win and d’Arnaud had two RBI off the bench as Tampa Bay swept a critical series between postseason contenders. The Rays hold the first AL wild card by a half-game over the Indians, who are a half-game up on Oakland for the second
spot.
“Naturally, we’re going to pay attention a little bit to what Oakland is doing and what Cleveland is doing, but at the same time I think we’ve got to keep focus on what we’re doing, what we can control,” Morton said.
Morton (14-6) allowed one run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out eight, walked three and threw a season-high 108 pitches.
Nate Lowe hit a two-run homer for the Rays.
Tampa Bay went up 4-1 in the fifth on d’Arnaud’s pinch-hit RBI double that drove in Eric Sogard. In 74 games with the Rays since being acquired from the Dodgers on May 10, d’Arnaud has 54 RBIs.
Indians starter Adam Plutko (6-4) allowed four runs and six hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Trainer’s room
INDIANS » 2B Jason Kipnis, who left in the seventh inning Aug. 31 due to right wrist discomfort, didn’t play and will have his status reevaluated by doctors Sept. 2. ... Otero (right shoulder inflammation) was reinstated from the injured list.
Up next
INDIANS » RHP Aaron Civale (2-4) will face White Sox LHP Ross Detwiler (24) on Sept. 2.