Indians demote 1B LaPorta

CLEVELAND (AP) — First baseman Matt LaPorta has been sent to the minors by the Cleveland Indians.

LaPorta, considered the key part of the blockbuster trade that sent Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers in July 2007, was sent to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

Cleveland recalled right-hander Jeanmar Gomez to start the second game of a four-game series against the Oakland Athletics.

LaPorta has been a disappointment in Cleveland. He has spent the entire season with the Indians, hitting .238 with 11 homers and 44 RBIs in 97 games.

Others acquired by Cleveland for Sabathia were outfielder Michael Brantley, currently on the 60-day disabled list with a wrist injury, left-hander Zach Jackson and minor-league right-hander Rob Bryson.

Gomez is 0-2 with a 5.70 ERA in five games over two stints earlier this year with Cleveland.