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TB@CLE: Ubaldo mows down a season-high eight over six

When Ubaldo Jimenez made a name for himself in Colorado, he was known for his high-90s fastball. He could mix his breaking pitches at times, but the fastball was what set Jimenez apart.

Jimenez is still capable of throwing hard, but some mechanical changes have helped him use his offspeed stuff more consistently for Cleveland. He's become more of a pitcher since the changes, and he's had much more success.

Jimenez has a 2.93 ERA over his last seven starts. He'll try to stay hot when he takes the mound for the Indians on Saturday afternoon against Toronto.

Jimenez's slider was so good in his last start against the Rays that he said less than 50 percent of his pitches were fastballs. The right-hander allowed only two runs on five hits over six innings in that outing, while striking out eight and walking only one.

"In the first inning, I was able to locate [the slider] really good," Jimenez said afterward. "And then we just kept throwing it. If you're able to locate your breaking balls, why not throw it?"

That mentality seems to be working for Jimenez lately. He's lowered his ERA from 5.79 to 4.50 since May 27, going 3-3 during those seven starts. Jimenez is 8-7 on the season.

The Blue Jays will counter with left-hander Aaron Laffey, who is still searching for his first win this season. Laffey is 0-1 with a 2.67 ERA in three starts after pitching out of the bullpen to begin his stint in the big leagues.

Laffey allowed three runs over six innings in his last start against the White Sox, taking the loss. He was solid for the first four innings, but things got away from Laffey in the fifth when he allowed three runs on four hits. The defense didn't do him any favors -- the Blue Jays committed two errors in the frame -- but Laffey blamed himself for the struggles. His cutter started rising in the zone, and it hurt him.

"Regardless of what the pitch is, that's the difference between being down and being up," Laffey said afterward. "If you're down [in the zone], the hits don't happen."

Indians: Marson gets nod at catcher
• Backup catcher Lou Marson got the start on Friday night as regular catcher Carlos Santana moved to first base. Casey Kotchman started the game on the bench against lefty Ricky Romero.

"[Marson] has swung the bat well against left-handed pitching," said Indians manager Manny Acta. "That's what he has done throughout his career. He's swinging well right now."

Marson, who went 1-for-4 on Friday, is hitting .285 on the season.

• Left-handed reliever Rafael Perez is scheduled to make a rehab appearance for Double-A Akron on Saturday. Perez hasn't pitched since April 25 after injuring his left lat muscle.

Blue Jays: Left-hander Loup gets call
• The Blue Jays promoted left-hander Aaron Loup from Double-A New Hampshire prior to Friday's game against the Indians. Loup will fill the spot of Luis Perez, who was placed on the 60-day disabled list with an injured left elbow that likely will require Tommy John surgery.

The 24-year-old Loup posted a 2.78 ERA in 37 appearances for New Hampshire this season. He will be the 26th different pitcher Toronto has used this season.

"Kind of surprised," Loup said. "But kind of not surprised, because unfortunately Luis went down, so I just kind of thought I might have had a slight chance. A little, yeah shocked, excited, but overall ready to go."

• Right-hander Brandon Morrow threw a bullpen session on Friday afternoon for the first time since straining his left oblique muscle in June. Blue Jays manager John Farrell said Morrow didn't feel any lingering signs of the injury.

Worth noting
• Jimenez is 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA in two career starts against the Blue Jays.

• Blue Jays left fielder Rajai Davis is hitting .318 (27-for-85) with a home run and 18 RBIs in 28 career games against the Indians.

• Santana is hitting .340 (18-for-53) with two home runs and seven RBIs in 17 career games against Toronto.

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