Crockett more 'comfortable' in second stint with Tribe

BOSTON -- Kyle Crockett found out around midnight on Friday morning that he was leaving Triple-A and going back to the big leagues. The rookie caught an early-morning flight in Ohio, missed a connection in Washington and arrived at Fenway Park shortly before Cleveland's game.

By the third inning, Crockett was back on the mound.

"It's all worth it to be up here," Crockett said with a smile on Saturday. "It was an early morning and a late night, and it's hard to sleep when you're that excited."

The 23-year-old Crockett was pressed into duty in the third inning of Friday's 10-3 loss after starter Justin Masterson labored in a two-plus-inning effort. The young lefty took over and allowed a two-run double to Mike Napoli -- both runs were charged to Masterson -- but he recovered to log 1 2/3 innings to help Cleveland's bullpen.

Between two stints with the Tribe this year, Crockett has a 1.50 ERA in six innings (four appearances).

"I thought he showed very good poise in a tough situation," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "I thought he made one bad pitch to Napoli. Other than that, I thought he was tremendous."

Crockett -- Cleveland's No. 15 prospect -- was originally called up from Double-A Akron on May 16, becoming the first player from any team's 2013 Draft class to reach the Majors. In 21 appearances combined between Double-A and Triple-A this season, the left-hander had a 0.74 ERA with 23 strikeouts, three walks and a .172 opponents' average in 24 1/3 innings.

"I'm a lot more comfortable," Crockett said of being called up the second time. "It's the same game. These guys, you just know that they're better hitters and better players. You just have to do what you do. Hopefully I can just stick to what I've been doing and keep getting the job done."