Cleveland-Seattle: Indians Lose 7-2 to Mariners

By Dave Wiley

It took three pitchers an out apiece to get Cleveland out of a rocky ninth, and they lost 7-2 to the Seattle Mariners at Progressive field.  Hard to believe the game was all even at two at the bottom of the eighth.

Seattle broke out for five runs in the ninth, spoiling a good starting outing by Cleveland’s Fausto Carmona, and making Joe Borowski not look so bad when new closer Rafael Betancourt gave up three runs on three hits in a third of an inning.  It was the Indians third loss in the last three days. 

In the first of a three game set, the Seattle Mariners racked up seven runs on fifteen hits in the win.  The Indians committed two errors, and could only muster two runs on eight hits in defeat. 

The Indians opened the scoring in the bottom of the first.  Grady Sizemore returned to the lineup in grand fashion with a double to center.  David Dellucci doubled as well, and just like that, Cleveland had a 1-0 lead with nobody out.  While Cleveland could not push any more runs across the plate, it was a promising start to the game. 

Seattle evened things up in the top of the third.  With two out, Raul Ibanez reached first on a Cabrera throwing error.  That error proved costly, since the Tribe should have been out of the inning.  Adrian Beltre singled.  Jose Vidro followed with a double, and Ibanez crossed home for the unearned run.  Carmona got former Indian Richie Sexson to ground out to end the inning.

In the fifth, the same group gave Seattle a one run lead.  Jose Lopez doubled with one out.  Beltre walked, and Vidro doubled in his second RBI of the game, hitting Lopez around. 

Other than that earned run, Carmona went six and two thirds with a pitch count of 103, struck out two and walked four, but left on the short end of a 2-1 game.

The Tribe took Carmona off the hook for the loss in the bottom of the eighth.  Once again it was the re-inserted Grady Sizemore crossing the plate.  He led off the inning with a walk.  David Dellucci, who’s bat has been on fire, singled Sizemore to third.  That chased Seattle starter Carlos Silva.  Author Rhodescame on in relief, earning himself a BS (blown save) on a Travis Hafner groundout that scored Sizemore.  Martinez popped out, and Lowe came on, replacing Rhodes and striking out Johnny Peralta.

Rafael Betancourt came on in the top of the ninth.  Lopez got on with an infield single.  Ibanez singled to right, putting runners on first and second and setting up the costly matchup between Betancourt and Beltre.  Beltre pounded the 0-1 pitch into the seats in right, blowing the game open with the three run dinger.  Betancourt did get Vidro to flyout and recorded an out before his departure. 

Breslow was the new guinea pig / relief pitcher for the Indians.  He immediately gave up a double to Sexson.  Cairo came on to pinch run for Sexson and stole third.  Bloomquist pinch hit, walked and stole second.  Johjima popped out, giving Breslow his only out of the inning.  Yuniesky Betancourt singled to left, scoring both runners and chasing Breslow.  I guess in a way it was good Seattle Betancourt didn’t hit off of Cleveland Betancourt, giving Indians Betancourt a five spot for the inning.  Two Indians pitchers, five runs, two outs.  Mastny came on to get his out, but watched Lopez reach first on a Peralta throwing error.  HOLY MOLY!!  Would this inning ever go away?  Mastny registered a strikeout on Ibanez to FINALLY end the top of the ninth.

While the Indians made some noise on the base paths in the bottom of the ninth, they’d dug to deep a hole, and didn’t end up scoring anyway.  7-2 was the final score.

Mark Lowe got the win.  Rafael Betancourt took the loss. 

7:05 EST pits Seattle’s Jarrod Washburn against Cleveland’s Cliff Lee.  Lee enters the game with a 4-0 record and a .26 ERA. Washburn is 1-3 on the season with a 4.05 ERA.