Brian

Sikorski

We assume Eric Wedge would have played it differently if Jason Davis and Rafael Betancourt hadn’t worked in the first game, but Sikorski got to pitch with a lead in the ninth tonight. He entered with the Indians a run down, two on and two out in the eighth. After he struck out Mark Grudzielanek to end the rally, the Indians came back with two in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-5 lead. Sikorski walked Mike Sweeney to start the ninth, but he then fanned Mark Teahen. Out No. 2 came when pinch-runner Reggie Sanders was caught stealing. Emil Brown went on to deliver a double, but Ryan Shealy popped out to end it. We’re skeptical that Sikorski will be much of a candidate for saves the rest of the way, but it can’t be ruled out.

Although it comes a little later the expected, Sikorski, who signed a major league deal with the Padres in the offseason after five years in Japan, is getting an opportunity to return to the majors. He had a 3.14 ERA and a 44/7 K/BB ratio in 28 2/3 innings as a reliever for Portland. The Padres will use him in middle relief.

Sikorski entered in a 5-3 game to start the ninth, but trouble began immediately when Travis Lee doubled and Dioner Navarro singled to begin the inning. Greg Norton then struck out as a pinch-hitter, but Sikorski gave up an RBI single to Rocco Baldelli and was pulled from the game. With the tying run on third and one out, Jason Davis entered and walked Ben Zobrist before yielding a two-run single to Carl Crawford to end the game. The closing situation is obviously quite wide open in Cleveland right now, but Davis probably remains the favorite for saves even after tonight.

Sikorski, who pitched in 10 games for the Rangers in 2000, had a 3.29 ERA in 87 2/3 IP of relief work for Rakuten last season. Overall, he had a 3.51 ERA in 386 2/3 IP in Japan. The Padres will try him as a replacement for Akinori Otsuka.

Only $200,000 is guaranteed. If he makes the team, he’ll get the full $500,000 and a chance to make $250,000 in bonuses. The Padres hope he can adequately replace Akinori Otsuka, but he probably won’t be more than a middle reliever.

Sikorski, who was guaranteed $200,000 of his $500,000 salary after being signed in December, posted a 5.19 ERA this spring. The big issue was that he walked eight in 8 2/3 innings. His departure makes it more likely that Stephen Andrade and Brian Sweeney will have jobs.

Sikorski, released on Monday after he failed to win a bullpen job, will head to Triple-A Portland and try to work his way back to the majors from there.

The 31-year-old Sikorski was designated for assignment yesterday after giving up nine runs in 14 1/3 innings for San Diego. At best, he’ll be an adequate middle reliever for Cleveland. Either Rafael Perez or Edward Mujica could be sent down to make room for him.

Sikorski pitched 14 1/3 innings in his month and a half with the Padres, giving up nine runs. Four of those came in his last outing Saturday.

Sikorski spent five years in Japan before giving MLB another try last season. Since things didn’t work out for him with the Padres and Indians, he’ll go back to Japan and get a couple of more nice paychecks before he hangs ‘em up.