Jake

Westbrook

Westbrook will return to start in Saturday’s doubleheader against the White Sox.

He walked just one and both runs came on a Magglio Ordonez homer in the sixth. Westbrook has had seven starts in which he’s given up at least six runs in the outing, but he’s yielded three runs or less in his remaining 17 starts.

''It puts me in a good frame of mind,’' he said. Nothing better than a little Michael W. Smith to get you all jacked up for a major-league baseball game.

It’s the second time in three starts he’s been lit up. This time, the offense failed to bail him out, although it probably should have overcome the early deficit. The Indians grounded into four double plays and committed five errors in a sloppy loss.

One-time Red Sox right-hander John Dopson was the last pitcher to do it, leading the Expos over the Braves on July 3, 1988. Westbrook only walked one, an intentional pass to David Ortiz in the second, and 12 of the 15 hits he allowed were singles. He likely would have been out of the game after seven innings had Eric Wedge had faith in anyone in his pen. The 118 pitches he threw were a season high.

Westbrook struck out seven and walked just one while scattering nine hits. Three double plays helped get him out of a few jams as he won for the second straight start. He’ll get the Twins and Devil Rays next week, so he’s a fine option in mixed leagues.

Westbrook struck out two and got 14 outs on grounders in the contest. He hasn’t allowed a run in two of his last three starts, but Westbrook’s middle outing involved seven earned runs in 5 1/3 innings of work. He’ll get the Athletics and White Sox again next week.

The White Sox scored six times in the ninth after Westbrook left, but the Indians held on to win 10-2. Westbrook outdueled Freddy Garcia for the third time this season and is 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA against the White Sox. It’s quite a change from last year, when he finished 0-4 with a 5.13 ERA in five starts against the club.

Westbrook handed a 2-1 lead off to Bob Wickman, but the closer blew the lead and took the loss in the 3-2 Brewers’ victory. Westbrook also struck out a season-high eight, so it was a shame he failed to pick up the win. He’s 6-3 with a 4.35 ERA overall.

Westbrook left with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth, and reliever Jason Davis immediately gave up a three-run triple to Curtis Granderson. Westbrook has now been charged with seven earned runs in two of his last three outings, with a complete game shutout in the middle. He’ll get the White Sox next time out.