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OAKLAND -- Over the course of a long season, teams need a jump-start every now and then. C.C. Sabathia's return from the disabled list on Tuesday was one of those sparks for the Cleveland Indians.

"That helps everybody," Indians first baseman Ben Broussard said before the Tribe took the field against the Oakland A's on Thursday afternoon. "That helps the pitching staff because he's the No. 1 guy and the matchups are better. He takes the pressure off them. Let's face it, when a guy gets hurt it makes you weaker."

Sabathia's outing not only ended a losing streak but boosted team morale heading into an eight-game, three-city road trip. The Indians opened the trip with a 14-3 win Wednesday.

"You don't expect that, but over the course of a season that's going to happen," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "[Sabathia] was definitely a boost to us as a club and to our starting pitchers. It's a comfort knowing he came back to make a start and will make another one in five days after we didn't have him for the month of April."

It always helps to have an offense which ranks at the top of the American League in average (.309) and runs (185) and is among the leaders in walks (103).

"Just an observation," A's manager Ken Macha said to no one in particular, "their No. 9 guy is hitting .361."

That would be outfielder Casey Blake, who was also tied for third on the team with 21 RBIs entering Thursday. He's off to a .538 start in May with a team-leading seven hits in his last three games.

"We don't have guys we have to depend on," said Broussard, who has a team-leading .405 average. "This has been a team effort. Even our No. 9 guy has a ton of RBIs. That shows a lot of balance. Right now when the pitchers are making mistakes, we're not missing them."

While Blake has batted ninth the majority of the season, Wedge said he would not hesitate to use him in other spots. He batted fifth for the first time on Wednesday and has also hit second and eighth.

"I don't think it's necessary to change the lineup right now but I am

comfortable using him as needed in different spots," Wedge said.
You know the Indians are a scary team to deal with right now without CC. Now hes back could they give the defending champs a scare for the division?