Chris Perez has quite an adventure in 9th inning

GOODYEAR, ARIZ. -- It wasn't a meltdown or a choke job. It had nothing to do with an apparent argument between Indians closer Chris Perez and catcher Carlos Santana in the ninth inning of Monday's 4-3 Cactus League victory over the Cubs.

Perez said it was more about a hot day and an early lunch.

"I got light-headed," said Perez. "The last batter I faced [Darwin Barney], I almost passed out. I walked him and I couldn't stand up anymore."

Perez squatted on the back side of the mound and vomited before leaving the game.

"I threw up, but it was only water," he said. "I was light-headed and I was seeing stars. Just some low blood sugar. . . . My arm is OK."

He said it used to happen to him when he was growing up and playing baseball in the Florida heat.

"I just didn't have enough food in me," said Perez. "I ate lunch early. I didn't even eat a protein bar."

Perez entered the ninth with a 4-1 lead looking for an easy three-run save. He retired the first batter, but hit Tyler Colvin and walked Aramis Ramirez. When Carlos Pena doubled past first to make it 4-2, Perez did not appear happy with Santana as he gestured at him near the plate.

After Pena's double, Perez and Santana talked on the mound. Perez was screaming into his glove, Santana was talking and the crowd was screaming.

"We were just trying to get on the same page," said Perez. "He hasn't caught me all spring. It was our first time. With the game on the line, we were trying to get our pitches in the right sequences."

Perez struck out Alfonso Soriano, but threw a run-scoring wild pitch to make it 4-3 before walking Barney. Vinnie Pestano relieved and earned the save.

When asked if the discussion between Perez and Santana was about Perez not feeling well, manager Manny Acta said, "That's not what it was about." He would not elaborate, "No, gossip," he said.

Perez said he was trying to change the pitch sequence with Pena on second so he could not steal Santana's signs.

"It's hard to talk when everybody is yelling," said Perez. "It looks like we're screaming, but we're just trying to talk. . . . The language was a little different. It's fine. It shouldn't be a problem."

Perez said he talked to Santana after the game.

"It shouldn't be as problem the rest of the year," said Perez.



(cleveland.com)