Indians Optimistic On Injured Santana

The Indians are optimistic today that Carlos Santana did not sustain severe damage to his left knee in a home-plate collision in Boston. Santana sprawled in agony after tagging out Ryan Kalish of the Red Sox, who crashed into him trying to score. The rookie catcher's left leg was spread awkwardly as he blocked the plate. The leg bent backwards and Santana's shoe flew off as Kalish slid into him.

"He tested well with the trainers, meaning they don't feel he has any serious damage -- his ACL or anything like that," manager Manny Acta said. "He is leaving Tuesday for Cleveland to get an MRI."

With one out in the seventh and Kalish on second base, Red Sox pinch hitter Daniel Nava lined a single to right. Shin-Soo Choo came up with the ball and showed off his throwing arm by firing the ball home, where Santana was waiting. Kalish bowled over Santana on a clean play, but the catcher held the ball. After the umpire signaled out, Cleveland's prize rookie tried to get up. He couldn't.

Teammates along with trainers from both the Indians and Red Sox rushed out to attend to Santana, who laid prone on the ground for several minutes, then sat up for several more. He winced as the medical staff applied an orange air cast on his leg and then lifted him into a cart to be taken from the field.

Santana was not hospitalized. Kalish said he he felt bad about the play and called the Indians' clubhouse to talk to the fallen catcher.

"Obviously, I feel bad," Kalish told reporters. "He's blocking the plate and I thought I had enough time to get in there with my foot. He says he's doing a lot better than he thought and I feel awful. You can't feel good about something like that.

"I just told him, 'Hey man, I'm thinking about you,' I'm sorry about what happened obviously. It's part of the game."

Chris Gimenez replaced Santana. The Indians will need to call up another catcher, most likely Lou Marson from Columbus, should Santana be sidelined for an extended period.

Cleveland won, 6-5, as Shelley Duncan had a career-high four hits. Duncan and Choo each had two RBI as the Indians took a 6-1 lead off John Lackey.

Fausto Carmona (11-8) gave up two runs (one earned) over seven innings. The right-hander allowed eight hits and only one walk, striking out five.

The bullpen nearly blew it before Chris Perez came on to earn his third save in three days.

Rafael Perez allowed two hits and two runs in one-third of an inning. The runs against him came on a home run by Adrian Beltre against Cleveland rookie Frank Herrmann. It was Beltre's second of the game and 19th of the season.

Perez (2.08 ERA) allowed one hit in the ninth and got his 13th save.

Cleveland is expected to recall left-hander David Huff from Columbus to start tonight at Fenway Park.