Rain postpones White Sox at Indians
CLEVELAND — David Huff lived up to the nickname he acquired in the Cleveland Indians' farm system. Yep, The Rain Man struck again.
The left-hander never got a chance to make his scheduled start against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night, which was postponed by rain without a pitch being thrown.
"I'm used to this," Huff said. "When I pitched at Triple-A in Buffalo a few years ago, they called me 'The Rain Man' because every time I was scheduled, we got postponed or I had to go out there in bad weather."
This time, Huff lost his chance completely. Indians manager Manny Acta said right-hander Justin Masterson will start the series finale Sunday against Chicago. Huff will be moved back in the rotation.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen will stick with Edwin Jackson, who was geared up to try to beat the Indians for the ninth consecutive time until the rains came. The right-hander is 8-1 in his career against Cleveland.
The teams and fans waited for exactly two hours before a decision was made. A makeup date was not announced. The White Sox return to Cleveland for a three-game series, scheduled for Sept. 20-22.
With radar showing a line of thunderstorms approaching, the infield was covered minutes before the scheduled 7:05 p.m. start, although it was not raining. There was a brief shower and some occasional drizzle, but for the most part fans sat in the stands watching other games or old cartoons on the giant videoboard.
"I couldn't sit still for a while, because I was pumped up to pitch," said Huff, who worked seven shutout innings Monday after being called up from Triple-A Columbus.
Notes: Indians rookie RHP Alex White reported no discomfort Saturday, one day after throwing a bullpen session. White, out since May 21 with a strained right middle finger, threw all his pitches and is scheduled to work a simulated game Monday. ... Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar left the team to go to Cooperstown, N.Y., for the Baseball Hall of Fame induction of his younger brother, Roberto. Minor league field coordinator Tom Wiedenbauer will coach first in his absence. ... The rainout was Cleveland's fourth, and third at home, this year.