Talbot tough for Cleveland
Associated Press
CLEVELAND
Mitch Talbot pitched more like a Cy Young winner than the actual Cy Young winner.
The Cleveland Indians’ right-hander quickly and efficiently outpitched Jake Peavy, a former NL winner of the award, in a 7-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.
“He struck out like 10 guys in the first three or four innings,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.
It only seemed that way.
Talbot (6-3) fanned only four over seven innings, but won for the third time in four starts.
“He was fantastic,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “That’s what makes baseball such a great game. On any given day a guy like Mitch can beat a guy like Peavy. Mitch deserves all the credit.”
Cleveland’s offense contributed early for change, too. The Indians had been outscored 120-85 over the first five innings this season before staking Talbot to a 6-0 lead.
Jason Donald and Shin-Soo Choo each homered in a three-run third inning off Peavy (3-4). They added a three-run sixth off the right-hander, who won the award in 2007 with the San Diego Padres.
Talbot allowed two runs and six hits to rebound from his worst start of the season, when he gave up eight hits and six runs over six innings in a 9-3 loss to Kansas City on Thursday.
“It’s fun to match up with Peavy because he works so quick,” Talbot said. “I like to work fast. It’s a fun challenge. He keeps me in rhythm.”
Talbot took a two-hit shutout into the seventh Tuesday before giving up four doubles.