Pavano solid in Clippers' rehab start

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Pavano solid in Clippers' rehab start
08/26/2006 1:18 AM ET
By Marissa Rega / Special to MLB.com

Carl Pavano gave up two runs in six innings Friday night as the Columbus Clippers cruised past the Indianapolis Indians, 8-2, at Cooper Stadium.
Pavano (1-0) allowed eight hits and a walk while striking out five in his first rehab start with the Clippers. The veteran right-hander hasn't pitched in the Major Leagues since June 27, 2005, but he's 1-1 with a 3.24 ERA in four starts during his most recent rehab assignment with Class A Advanced Tampa, Double-A Trenton and the Clippers.
Pavano underwent surgery earlier this season to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow, and also was slowed by shoulder, back and buttocks ailments.
New York Yankees manager Joe Torre said the former 18-game winner could be ready to come off the disabled list this week after throwing 61 of 89 pitches for strikes.
"It's not out of the question at all, since September will be rolling around in a few days," Torre said. "He seems to be feeling good about himself."
Torre also said he liked what he saw from Pavano when he threw bullpen sessions with the big league club last month.
"There was a lot of life leaving his hand, and we didn't see that consistently last year," Torre explained. "We certainly know why we wanted to sign him, so hopefully that will be the guy we see next month."
Danny Garcia's RBI single sparked a five-run second for Columbus. After Frank Menechino walked, Bubba Crosby and Andy Cannizaro hit back-to-back two-run doubles to give the Clippers a 5-0 lead.
Mitch Jones cranked a two-run homer, his third in five games, and Ben Davis added an RBI single in the fifth for Columbus (65-69).
Indianapolis starter Sean Burnett (8-10) yielded eight runs on nine hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
Mike Edwards hit an RBI double and Raul Gonzalez smacked a run-scoring single in the third for the Indians (72-62), who fell one game behind first-place Toledo in the International League West Division.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.