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Indians Tidbits...

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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Oakland 2, Cleveland 0</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Preview - Box Score - Recap </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
September 13, 2005
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Sep 12, 10:57 pm EDT</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>CLEVELAND (AP) -- Dan Haren walked over to the stereo, skipped to a CD track of his liking, pushed play and smiled. Soon, there were heads bobbing to the beat in every corner of Oakland's clubhouse.

Haren didn't mind taking over as DJ. Whatever the Athletics needed, he was more than willing to give them.
Haren limited baseball's hottest team to four singles in 6 2-3 innings and pushed Oakland closer in the AL playoff race as the A's beat Cleveland 2-0 Monday night, stopping the Indians' seven-game winning streak.

Haren (13-10) made sure the A's took the opener of a three-game series they can't afford to lose. Oakland, a major league-best 36-20 since the All-Star break, beat C.C. Sabathia (13-10) to pull within one game of the first-place Angels in the AL West and 1 1/2 games of the wild card-leading Indians.

``By far, it's the happiest I've been after a win all year,'' said Haren, who lasted just 2 2-3 innings in his previous start, a no-decision against Seattle. ``With Sabathia on the mound, I knew I had to step it up tonight. I'm happy for my team. That's the way I'm supposed to pitch because these games are so, so important.''

The A's made three errors but did just enough offensively to hand Sabathia his first loss since July 30. Jason Kendall hit an RBI single in the third off the left-hander, and Mark Kotsay delivered a sacrifice fly in the seventh against reliever Scott Sauerbeck.

<TABLE cellPadding=1 align=left border=0 hspace="10" vspace="5"><TBODY><TR><TD><!-- SpaceID=0 noconn 61 conts --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>``We had a little ragged play,'' Oakland manager Ken Macha said. ``But the pitching raised it up a little bit.''

Cleveland, 19-7 since Aug. 16, has a one-game edge over the New York Yankees, who open a three-game set on Tuesday at Tampa Bay.

Sabathia won his previous seven starts, but he wasn't as sharp this time and constantly had to work out of trouble because of five walks. He allowed one earned run and four hits in six innings.

``I didn't have the command I had in the last month or month and a half,'' he said. ``I had to battle the whole time I was out there. It seemed like I was in trouble every inning. I didn't pitch my game.''

Macha treated the game as if it were already October. In the eighth inning, he used four pitchers as Kiko Calero, Ricardo Rincon, Justin Duchscherer and Huston Street preserved the shutout.

After Rincon's one-out error, Duchscherer came in and struck out Coco Crisp, who came in batting an AL-best .341 against right-handers. Street worked a perfect ninth for his 21st save, completing the combined four-hitter.

``We used a lot of pitchers,'' Macha said. ``I needed to make sure we got 27 outs and the ballgame. If it takes 10 pitchers, then let's do it.'' <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Sep 12, 10:57 pm EDT</SMALL>
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The A's took a 2-0 lead in the seventh. They loaded the bases against reliever Arthur Rhodes when Dan Johnson walked, Mark Ellis doubled and Kendall was hit by a pitch.


Kotsay followed with his sacrifice fly off Sauerbeck to make it 2-0, and the A's reloaded the bases when Eric Chavez walked. But reliever Rafael Betancourt kept the Indians within two by striking out Jay Payton.

Sabathia got away with a walk in each of the first two innings, but the one-out pass he issued to No. 9 hitter Marco Scutaro cost him in the third. Scutaro stole second as Ellis struck out and scored on Kendall's hit.

The Indians' best scoring chance came in the fifth when they got Aaron Boone to third with one out against Haren. But Casey Blake pulled a grounder right at the bag, forcing Boone to stay at third, and Grady Sizemore flied out.

``The story for us was we were never able to get anything going,'' Indians manager Eric Wedge said. ``We swung at a lot of pitches that were out of the zone. He was throwing a sweeping breaking ball in there and did a good job with his fastball.''

<SMALL>Notes</SMALL>
The A's are 3-1 on a 10-game trip. ... The Indians didn't homer for the first time in 11 games. ... Since the All-Star break, Ellis is batting .357 (64-for-179). ... The Indians have the league leader in ERA (Kevin Millwood, 3.11) saves (Bob Wickman, 39) and winning percentage (Cliff Lee, .800). ... Chavez went 0-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts and is batting .183 (11-for-60) in his last 15 games. ... Crisp was selected the AL's top player last week, beating out five other Indians who were nominated for the award after Cleveland went 7-0. ... The A's stopped a four-game losing streak and won for just the third time in 13 games at Jacobs Field.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Cleveland 5, Oakland 2</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Preview - Box Score - Recap </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
September 13, 2005
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Sep 13, 10:35 pm EDT</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>CLEVELAND (AP) -- As the ball sliced through the thick summer air, Ben Broussard's mind cleared. For a moment, he forgot about his two errors and the batting slump that wouldn't go away.
And when Broussard's second homer of the game finally cleared the right-field wall, landing in the first row of seats, Cleveland's first baseman allowed himself a brief moment to celebrate.

The Indians may remember it a lot longer.

Broussard's tiebreaking three-run shot in the eighth inning, sent Cleveland to a 5-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night and kept the Indians in control of the AL wild-card race.

Cleveland was down 2-0 in the seventh when Broussard hit a two-run shot, and it was 2-2 when he delivered the Indians' biggest homer of a season that's getting more special by the day.
``I haven't had a lot of hits in September,'' said Broussard, who was in a 1-for-23 slump before homering in the seventh. ``But right now, all I'm worried about is right now. I just want to get to the postseason.''

The comeback allowed the Indians to maintain their one-game lead over the New York Yankees for the wild card, and Cleveland moved 2 1/2 games ahead of the Athletics.


``It's probably our biggest win to date,'' Indians starter Kevin Millwood said. ``This is fun, man. Everybody around here is having a good time.''

Millwood (8-11), who hasn't gotten any run support all season, didn't get any runs until the seventh. He allowed one run and seven hits while lowering his league-leading ERA to 3.02.

The Indians turned a season-high five double plays, including a comical one in the ninth when rotund closer Bob Wickman tumbled over the bag while attempting to catch the return throw at first.

Wickman hit the ground, bounced and blocked the throw with his body before alertly touching the base to get Oakland's Dan Johnson, who had missed the base as he ran by.

``It didn't look too good,'' said Wickman, who finished for his 40th save.
With the score tied 2-2 in the eighth, Travis Hafner singled with one out off Justin Duchscherer (6-4) and Victor Martinez singled. One out later, Broussard hit a towering shot to right that didn't seem to want to come down.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Sep 13, 10:24 pm EDT</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Right fielder Nick Swisher parked under it on the warning track, and leaped at the wall. But the ball barely cleared his glove, landing in the first row.

``I didn't know if it was out,'' Broussard said. ``I was looking at the ball, and then watching him. He looked like he had it, but I'm glad he didn't catch it. It was a wall scraper for sure. But at this point in the season, who cares. Whatever it takes.''

Duchscherer felt he made a quality pitch to Broussard.
``I went to the bread and butter, my cutter,'' he said. ``He didn't hit it as good as he can, but he got enough of it.''

Broussard had tied it in the seventh with a shot to dead center off reliever Jay Witasick.

The homer snapped a 17-inning scoreless drought for the Indians, who were beaten 2-0 on four hits by Dan Haren and four Oakland relievers in the series opener and couldn't do anything for six innings against A's starter Kirk Saarloos.

The right-hander shut out the Indians on three hits and was leading 2-0 when A's manager Ken Macha decided to go to his bullpen.

``We got through last night 2-0, but we couldn't hold 2-0 tonight,'' Macha said.
The game was delayed for 21 minutes in the sixth when a computer system shut down and caused several of the toothbrush-shaped light towers above Jacobs Field to go dark.

With Oakland's Marco Scutaro at the plate, halogen bulbs in the towers went black, darkening large areas of the ballpark. Umpire crew chief Randy Marsh cleared the field until the lights warmed up again.

That wasn't the only blown fuse, either.

Cleveland manager Eric Wedge was ejected in the fifth by plate umpire Larry Vanover for arguing balls and strikes.

<SMALL>Notes</SMALL> The Indians have won eight of nine and have won 19 of their last 25. ... Broussard's errors snapped his streak of 65 straight games without one. ... Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Before the game, Smith visited with Swisher, the A's right fielder who played baseball for the Buckeyes from 2000-02. ... While the crowd waited for the lights to come on, fans watched other major league games on the giant scoreboard as Bruce Springsteen's ``Dancing In The Dark'' and The Doors' ``Light My Fire'' played through the ballpark's speakers.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Cleveland 6, Oakland 4</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Preview - Box Score - Recap </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
September 15, 2005
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Sep 14, 11:13 pm EDT</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>CLEVELAND (AP) -- Jake Westbrook took an unconventional route to his career-high 15th victory, just like the one the Cleveland Indians may follow to the AL playoffs.

In April, Westbrook went 0-5, losing two complete games. By the middle of June, things weren't much better as the Cleveland right-hander was 2-9.

It was no different for the Indians, who were 9-14 after the first month and were going nowhere.

``I guess it's kind of a not-give-up attitude,'' Westbrook said. ``We've bounced back.''

Westbrook (15-14) pushed his record over .500 for the first time this season on Wednesday night as Ronnie Belliard's three-run homer sent the wild card-leading Indians to a 6-4 win over the Oakland Athletics.
Belliard's shot in the seventh on Barry Zito's 122nd and final pitch allowed Cleveland to remain one game up on the New York Yankees for the wild card, and the Indians extended their lead over the A's to 3 1/2 games.

With Chicago's loss at Kansas City, the Indians also moved within five games of first in the AL Central, the closest they've been in the division since April 21.

``We can't worry about that until the end,'' Westbrook said.

Belliard fell behind 0-2 in the count before pulling a pitch from Zito (13-12) over the wall in left. The Indians went on to their ninth win in 10 games and are a major league-best 30-11 since July 31.

Nick Swisher hit a three-run homer for the A's, who with a win would have moved into a tie with the Los Angeles Angels atop the AL West. Oakland opens a four-game series in Boston on Thursday.

``We're still focused on the division,'' said A's manager Ken Macha. ``We knew this would be a difficult road trip.''

Westbrook didn't give up a hit until the sixth and allowed just two in seven strong innings. The right-hander, who opened the season 1-7, is 9-2 in 11 starts since July 21 and already has one more win than he had in 2004, when he made the All-Star team.

``I'm pretty proud of that,'' Westbrook said. ``To have a 2-9 record and come back and be 15-14. You can't ever hang your head.''
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Sep 14, 11:05 pm EDT</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Bob Wickman gave up a one-out homer to Mark Kotsay and walked Scott Hatteberg with two outs in the ninth before striking out Dan Johnson for his league-leading 41st save.

The Indians wasted several scoring chances against Zito, who was hurt by five walks and struggled with plate umpire Randy Marsh's tight strike zone.

With the score tied 3-3, Jhonny Peralta opened the seventh with a single and Zito walked Travis Hafner. The lefty struck out Victor Martinez, and with Belliard due up, Macha came out to visit Zito.

``Barry's our ace,'' Macha said. ``The guy we pin all our hopes on. He's got the right to determine the outcome of the game.''

Macha stuck with Zito, who made Belliard chase the first two pitches out of the zone. But he hung a breaking ball on his next pitch and Belliard made him pay.
``That was a pitch that was going to bounce in the dirt, you can't guard against that,'' Zito said. ``He was sitting curveball and he got the barrel out.''

Westbrook took a no-hit bid into the sixth but Marco Scutaro followed a leadoff walk to Jay Payton by dropping a soft liner to center. Swisher followed his 18th homer to tie it 3-3.

Helped by four walks from Zito, 11 of the first 22 Indians reached base but Cleveland didn't score until there was one out in the fifth. Martinez's sacrifice fly made it 1-0, Belliard hit an RBI single, and the Indians went ahead 3-0 when Eric Chavez booted Jose Hernandez's grounder to third.

Westbrook wasn't fazed by the A's or a 49-minute rain delay in the middle of the second inning. The right-hander retired the first 12 before giving up a leadoff walk to Chavez in the fourth.

But Westbrook got out of the inning on a seldom-seen double play. Hatteberg hit a low liner to second baseman Belliard, who couldn't handle it near his ankles but threw to first baseman Hernandez.

Hernandez caught the ball, and alertly tagged Chavez, who had scampered back and was standing on first. However, according to the rules, he must advance and was called out by first base umpire Jim Wolf. Hernandez then stepped on the bag to force Hatteberg.

Macha argued that Belliard intentionally dropped the ball, which would have permitted Chavez to stay at first.

``I thought he dropped it on purpose,'' Macha said. ``The guy caught everything against us and was all over the field.''

<SMALL>Notes</SMALL> Westbrook's nine wins since the All-Star break ties him with Houston's Andy Pettitte for the most in the majors... Zito has thrown a major league-high 3,488 pitches. ... Indians RHP Matt Miller, on the DL with elbow tendinitis, went home to Hattiesburg, Miss., last weekend. His house endured Hurricane Katrina's wrath, while others weren't as lucky. ``I feel sorry for the people on the (Gulf) coast,'' he said. ``The town I live in, I've never seen anything like it. Buts it's 10 times worse on the coast.'' ... A's SS Bobby Crosby resumed hitting off a tee as he recovers from a broken left ankle.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Blown Chances Keep Kinston From Repeat

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Slocum, right, seeks more runs than Pesco got.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: Sep 15, 2005

Kinston's reign as champions of the Carolina League is over after a 2-0 defeat at home to the Frederick Keys in the fifth and final game of the 2005 championship series Thursday night.
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The Indians, who stormed back from an 0-2 deficit in 2004 to win the championship, tried to do it again this year. After winning two straight to tie the series, they got only six hits off four Frederick pitchers and frittered away several good scoring chances in Game 5.

** In the first inning, Argenis Reyes drew a leadoff walk, but was promptly picked off first base. Brian Barton then singled and Rodney Choy Foo was hit by a pitch. Both advanced on a groundout by Stephen Head, but were stranded when Mike Conroy flew out to left.

** In the second, Ryan Goleski doubled and Dave Wallace was hit by a pitch. Goleski advanced, but Wallace was cut down trying for second on a passed ball by the catcher. Brandon Pinckney and Reyes then grounded out to end that threat.

** In the third, two walks around a single by Conroy loaded the bases with two outs, but Wallace lined out to right.

** In the fourth, Luis Cotto reached on an error and Barton was hit by a pitch with two outs, but this time Choy Foo struck out to end it.

** Head doubled to open the fifth and Wallace drew a two-out walk, but Pinckney fanned to end that chance.

** A last-gasp chance in the ninth went awry, too. Barton doubled with one out and advanced to third on a two-out wild pitch with Head at the plate. But the first-year phenom, who was one of the most productive offensive players all year in the Indians' farm system, struck out to end the game.

The Keys locked it away with a two-run second inning off Nick Pesco, who allowed two runs, seven hits and one walk over 5 1/3 innings, striking out six. Aaron Laffey (two innings), Kyle Collins (one-third), Jesus Soto (one inning) and Tony Sipp (one-third) didn't allow a hit the rest of the way. Winning pitcher Brian Finch and three relievers combined for 12 strikeouts.

SOUTHERN DIVISION FINALS
First half champ Kinston vs. second half champ Winston-Salem
Sept. 7: Kinston 3, at Winston-Salem 1
Sept. 8: Kinston 8, Winston-Salem 1

CAROLINA LEAGUE MILLS CUP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Sept. 10: Frederick 3, Kinston 2
Sept. 11: Frederick 6, Kinston 2
Sept. 12: Kinston 3, Frederick 0
Sept. 13: Kinston 4, Frederick 3
Sept. 14: Frederick at Kinston rained out
Sept. 15: Frederick 2, at Kinston 0

CLASS AA AKRON and Portland prepared for Game 3 of the Eastern League championship series, which is tied 1-1 after the opening two games in Maine. The clubs had the day off Thursday and the series now shifts to Canal Park in Akron. Major-league veteran Wade Miller, who was 4-4 with a 4.95 ERA for the Boston Red Sox before going on the disabled list Aug. 9 with a sore right shoulder, is scheduled to make his second rehab start for the Sea Dogs against Aeros right-hander Brian Slocum (7-5, 4.40 ERA).

South Champion Akron vs. Second-Place Altoona
Sept. 7: Akron 11, Altoona 7
Sept. 8: Akron 6, Altoona 4
Sept. 9: Altoona 3, Akron 0
Sept. 10: Altoona 6, Akron 3
Sept. 11: Akron 6, Altoona 4

EASTERN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Sept. 13: Portland 6, Akron 4
Sept. 14: Akron 4, at Portland 3
Sept. 16: Portland at Akron
Sept. 17: Portland at Akron
Sept. 18: Portland at Akron (if necessary)

CLASS AAA BUFFALO was eliminated from the International League playoffs Sunday night by losing for the third straight home game after taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

North Champion Buffalo vs. Wild Card Indianapolis
Sept. 7: Buffalo 5, at Indianapolis 1
Sept. 8: Buffalo 6, at Indianapolis 5
Sept. 9: Indianapolis 5, at Buffalo 2
Sept. 10: Indianapolis 4, at Buffalo 1
Sept. 11: Indianapolis 6, at Buffalo 4

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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" type="block" width="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Cleveland 3, Kansas City 1</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" type="block" width="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Preview - Box Score - Recap </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>September 16, 2005
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Sep 16, 10:11 pm EDT</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>CLEVELAND (AP) -- Win after win, the Cleveland Indians stay atop the AL wild-card race while trying to close even more on the Chicago White Sox.
Casey Blake and Grady Sizemore hit consecutive fifth-inning homers in a 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night that kept Cleveland a half-game ahead of the New York Yankees in the wild-card chase.
Scott Elarton (10-7) gave up one run and five hits in 7 2-3 innings as the Indians won for the 10th time in 11 games to remain 4 1/2 games back of first-place Chicago in the AL Central.

``It's hard not to look at the standings, but you know what's going on,'' said Blake, whose two-run homer put Cleveland ahead 2-1. ``We expect to win every game, but we can't afford to start looking at other teams.''

Cleveland is a major-league best 31-11 since July 31, cutting a division deficit that was 15 games on Aug. 1. The Indians open a three-game series at Chicago on Monday and conclude the regular season with three games against the White Sox at Jacobs Field.
``Anything is doable,'' Blake said. ``It's pretty amazing that the lead has diminished like that.''

got the final out of the eighth inning, and Bob Wickman worked the ninth for his AL-leading 42nd save in 47 chances, completing a six-hitter.


Kansas City won two of three from Chicago before coming to Cleveland. The Royals lost their 97th game, seven shy of the team record set last season.

Elarton held the Royals hitless until Aaron Guiel singled to start the fourth. Guiel was quickly erased on a double play, one of four turned by the Indians.

``Go figure,'' Kansas City manager Buddy Bell said. ``You hit into four double plays, that's not good.''

Kansas City's only run was a two-out homer by Mark Teahen in the fifth -- the 29th long ball allowed by the right-hander this year.

``I have no idea why I was getting double plays,'' said Elarton, who was the beneficiary of three while he was on the mound. ``Defense is a good feeling behind you.''

Elarton became the fourth Cleveland starter with 10 or more wins, joining Cliff Lee (16-4), Jake Westbrook (15-14) and C.C. Sabathia (13-10).

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Sep 16, 10:05 pm EDT</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>``Reaching 10 is nice, but it is much more exciting to be in the race,'' said Elarton, who had not won more than four in a season at the major league level since going 17-7 for Houston in 2000.

Before the game, manager Eric Wedge said he would not skip Elarton or any other starter in order to get a certain matchup down the stretch as Cleveland seeks to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Cleveland starters are 10-2 with a 1.83 ERA in the last 15 games.

``All five starters have been as consistent as you can be,'' Wedge said. ``And that's the way we'll play it out.''

After Teahen's fourth homer gave Kansas City a 1-0 lead, Aaron Boone drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fifth against Jimmy Gobble (1-1) and Blake snapped a personal 0-for-13 skid with his 21st homer for a 2-1 lead.

Sizemore then pulled a 2-0 pitch into the Royals bullpen for his 20th homer and his third straight hit off the left-hander.

``The more I play, the better I feel,'' said Sizemore, who has hit .325 (49-for-151) with eight homers and 28 RBIs over his last 37 games. He joined Roberto Alomar (2001) as the only Indians with 20 homers, doubles and steals along with 10 triples in a season.

Cleveland loaded the bases later in the inning against reliever Kyle Snyder, who got out of the jam by getting Jose Hernandez to hit into a double play.

Gobble gave up three runs and five hits in four-plus innings, striking out six.

<SMALL>Notes</SMALL> Hernandez was part of all four double plays as he replaced Ronnie Belliard at second base. Belliard sat out with an abdominal strain. ... Sizemore was thrown out trying for his 21st stolen base in the seventh, but became the seventh Indians player with 20 steals and 20 homers in a season, joining Alomar, Matt Lawton, Albert Belle, Joe Carter, Bobby Bonds and Toby Harrah. ... Kansas City lost 104 last season and 100 in 2002. The Royals also lost 97 in 2001, 1999 and 1970. ... The Indians have homered in 13 of 14 games, hitting 26 over the fence in that span.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Tribe Edges Royals, Close In On Sox

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Victor Martinez, Bob Wickman ... another win.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: Sep 18, 2005

The Indians' wild ride atop the wild-card race has put them right back into the AL Central Division pennant chase, too. Cleveland held off the Kansas City Royals, 5-4, Saturday night for its 11th win in 12 games -- moving within 3 1/2 games of the formerly thought-to-be unreachable Chicago White Sox.
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Cliff Lee (17-4) got his eighth straight win, Bob Wickman earned his 43rd save in typical "Wicky's Wild Ride" fashion, Victor Martinez had three hits and Coco Crisp hit a two-run homer for the 1-thru-9 (and then some) Indians.

Cleveland has cut 11 1/2 games off Chicago's lead since Aug. 1 and by winning for the 12th time in 15 games in September, stayed a half-game ahead of the vaunted New York Yankees in the wild card race.

The wild-card scenario could become the White Sox's concern should the Indians remain this hot through a three-game series in Chicago that starts Monday. And the final three games of the year at Jacobs Field against Chicago loom larger by the minute.

Lee (17-4) gave up four runs and five hits over seven innings after being given a 5-0 lead in the first inning. He allowed a solo homer to John Buck in the third and a three-run shot to Emil Brown in the sixth before turning it over to the bullpen.

Bobby Howry pitched a 1-2-3 eighth and Wickman worked into -- and out of -- trouble in the ninth. The right-hander walked Mike Sweeney to open the inning and allowed a one-out single to Angel Berroa before coming back to get Mark Teahen on a weak groundout and fanning Justin Huber to end it.

Cleveland's start was even more impressive. Grady Sizemore walked off Runelvys Hernandez (8-12), who then gave up a two-run homer to Crisp, his 14th. Jhonny Peralta doubled and went to third on a single by Travis Hafner. Martinez singled home one run and Ben Broussard and Ramon Vazquez followed with run-scoring groundouts.

Vazquez played second base in place of Ron Belliard, who missed his second straight game with an abdominal strain.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Aeros Win Another Eastern League Title

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Jake Dittler ... seven shutout innings.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: Sep 18, 2005

Jake Dittler pitched seven shutout innings, Nate Panther went 4-for-4 and Ryan Mulhern drove in two runs to lead Akron to a 4-1 triumph over Portland as the Aeros claimed the Class AA Eastern League championship on Saturday night.
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"Our pitching staff carried us throughout the year and showed again what it can do in the final series," Aeros manager Torey Lovullo told reporters after winning the best-of-five finals in four games. "We shut down a good Portland offense. I'm really proud of these guys. It's the same type of feeling I had last year. These guys are all winners."

Lovullo managed many of the same players to the Class A Carolina League championship with Kinston in 2004.

Panther, who hit only .246 with 12 homers at Kinston this season before being promoted to Akron on Aug. 11, was named MVP Eastern League playoffs after hitting .380 (12-for-31 with two doubles, two triples, one homer and five RBI in eight games.

"It's a great honor," said Panther. "I think everyone on our team should get the MVP, especially the pitching staff. They came out and threw well and gave us the chance to win."

Akron won its second championship in three years. The Aeros won their first EL title in 2003.

Dittler, who went 10-9 with a 3.64 ERA during the regular season, gave up five hits and two walks over seven superb innings in the title game, striking out five. Chris Cooper struck out one in a perfect eighth and Edward Mujica wrapped it up, though he gave up one run on two hits in the ninth.

Eider Torres opened the Akron third with a bunt single and went to third on a ground single to right by Panther. After Brad Snyder struck out, Mulhern lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Torres for a 1-0 lead.

Portland put together its only threat against Dittler in the fourth on a pair of two-out singles and walk, but the Akron right-hander struck out the final batter of the inning to retain his shutout.

Another sacrifice fly, by Ivan Ochoa, in the bottom half put Akron ahead 2-0. In the fifth, Panther singled and scored on a double by Mulhern, who then scored on another double by Shaun Larkin.

The championship was particularly satisfying for players who were on the Akron roster earlier in the season when a franchise-record 12-game losing streak sent the Aeros tumbling out of first place in late June. But Akron came back to easily win the regular-season title in the Southern Division, then eliminated Altoona in a five-game series to earn the right to face Portland. The Aeros split two games in Maine, then swept two straight from the Sea Dogs at Canal Park in Akron -- allowing only one run over the final 24 innings.

South Champion Akron vs. Second-Place Altoona
Sept. 7: Akron 11, Altoona 7
Sept. 8: Akron 6, Altoona 4
Sept. 9: Altoona 3, Akron 0
Sept. 10: Altoona 6, Akron 3
Sept. 11: Akron 6, Altoona 4

EASTERN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Sept. 13: Portland 6, Akron 4
Sept. 14: Akron 4, at Portland 3
Sept. 16: Akron 2, Portland 0
Sept. 17: Akron 4, Portland 1

CLASS A KINSTON saw its reign as Carolina League champions end with a 2-0 defeat at home to Frederick in the fifth and final game of the 2005 championship series on Thursday night. The Indians, who had rallied from an 0-2 deficit to win the final three games and the 2004 title, came up one game short this year. The Keys locked it away with a two-run second inning off Nick Pesco, who allowed two runs, seven hits and one walk over 5 1/3 innings, striking out six. Aaron Laffey (two innings), Kyle Collins (one-third), Jesus Soto (one inning) and Tony Sipp (one-third) didn't allow a hit the rest of the way. Winning pitcher Brian Finch and three relievers combined for 12 strikeouts.

SOUTHERN DIVISION FINALS
First half champ Kinston vs. second half champ Winston-Salem
Sept. 7: Kinston 3, at Winston-Salem 1
Sept. 8: Kinston 8, Winston-Salem 1

CAROLINA LEAGUE MILLS CUP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Sept. 10: Frederick 3, Kinston 2
Sept. 11: Frederick 6, Kinston 2
Sept. 12: Kinston 3, Frederick 0
Sept. 13: Kinston 4, Frederick 3
Sept. 14: Frederick at Kinston rained out
Sept. 15: Frederick 2, at Kinston 0

CLASS AAA BUFFALO was eliminated from the International League playoffs Sunday night by losing for the third straight home game after taking a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five series in the first round. The Bisons were the defending champions.

North Champion Buffalo vs. Wild Card Indianapolis
Sept. 7: Buffalo 5, at Indianapolis 1
Sept. 8: Buffalo 6, at Indianapolis 5
Sept. 9: Indianapolis 5, at Buffalo 2
Sept. 10: Indianapolis 4, at Buffalo 1
Sept. 11: Indianapolis 6, at Buffalo 4
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The Tribe is a bunch of babies

I don't think these kids are old enuf to understand they should be tense... they think this game is just for fun... I heard they have the only morning training table that serves pablum for breakfast...

Today.. I think a couple of these guys matched HRs and age...
HR: CLE - J Peralta (22), T Hafner (26)

damn.. I hope this is another duplication of the early 90s... and a huge run for years to come...

The babies are smelling the milk formula today... it's 11-0 ... the kids are getting restless... go Tribe
 
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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Tribe Keeps Rolling - Right Into Chicago

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Travis Hafner watches his two-run homer.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr Indians Ink
Date: Sep 18, 2005

As usual, it's tough to pick one outstanding play from many as the key to another Indians victory. They did plenty right in an 11-0 thrashing of the Kansas City Royals at Jacobs Field that gave Cleveland a little breathing room in the AL wild-card race and kept the heat on the first-place Chicago White Sox in the Central Division, too.
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Was it C.C. Sabathia's five-hit pitching over eight scoreless innings?

Travis Hafner's two-run homer in the first inning that sparked the rout?

Jhonny Peralta's three-run homer that capped a six-run fourth?

Ben Broussard's two-run homer that finished off the scoring?

Or the sensational defensive plays turned in by third baseman Aaron Boone and rookie outfielder Franklin Gutierrez?

For those of you who chose "all of the above," go to the head of the wild-card chase, where the Indians have opened a 1 1/2 game lead on the New York Yankees.

As for the Indians, they are off to Chicago to play the White Sox in a key three-game series. Cleveland has trimmed 11 1/2 games off Chicago's once-invincible lead since Aug. 1 and now trail by only 3 1/2 games in the AL Central.

"Nobody expected us to be here, except us," said Sabathia (14-10), who gave up only five measly singles in eight superb innings. The left-hander struck out eight without a walk to improve to 8-1 since Aug. 5 -- which more than coincidentally coincides with Cleveland's mad dash after the White Sox.

"The pressure's not on us," said Sabathia. "The pressure is on the other teams. They don't have that comfort zone any more."

That's because Cleveland has won five straight, 12 of 13 and have compiled a 33-11 record since July 31 -- the best mark over that span of all major-league teams.

"It's definitely a surprise to see us that close to Chicago after the way the first half went," said Boone, "but it's a good surprise. We realize these games now have a lot more at stake and it is a lot of fun."

Coco Crisp, who had three of Cleveland's 16 hits as the Indians completed a three-game demolition of the Royals, said it is so much fun that he doesn't have time to worry about the circumstances.

"We're just going to play one game at a time and I know you hear that line all the time, but think about it," said Crisp. "You can't win three games in one day and make up everything all at once. You just focus on what you can do. You can't get three hits with one swing of the bat. It's the same thing in playing a team -- focus on winning one game, then the next."

The Indians have thoroughly bought into manager Eric Wedge's philosophy, parrotting his words that preach staying on an even keel.

But the laid-back approach belies an intense will to win.

"They're in first place and we're second," said Hafner when asked about the upcoming series with the White Sox. "Let's go out and play and see who has the best team."
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yahoo.com

9/19/05

I didn't realize that Chicago has won 10 of 13 meetings so far this year....:(


Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Cleveland (87-62) at Chi White Sox (90-58)</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Preview - Box Score - Recap</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=ysptblclbg3 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2 height=5><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Game Info: 8:05 pm EDT Mon Sep 19, 2005
TV: FSOH, WCIU
</TD><TD noWrap align=right>Add to Calendar
Buy Tickets
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2 colSpan=2 height=1><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR><TR class=yspwhitebg><TD colSpan=2 height=15><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width=190 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=ysptblclbg1><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=yspsctbg><TD class=ysptblhdr height=18>Starting Pitchers</TD></TR><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3 height=3><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspscores noWrap align=middle width="35%">
K. Millwood
Cle
</TD><TD align=middle width="30%">vs.</TD><TD class=yspscores noWrap align=middle width="35%">
F. García
CWS
</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3 height=3><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2 colSpan=3><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 vAlign=top><TD class=yspscores align=middle>8-11</TD><TD class=yspscores align=middle>Record</TD><TD class=yspscores align=middle>12-8</TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 vAlign=top><TD class=yspscores align=middle>3.02</TD><TD class=yspscores align=middle>ERA</TD><TD class=yspscores align=middle>3.96</TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 vAlign=top><TD class=yspscores align=middle>130</TD><TD class=yspscores align=middle>K</TD><TD class=yspscores align=middle>136</TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 vAlign=top><TD class=yspscores align=middle>50</TD><TD class=yspscores align=middle>BB</TD><TD class=yspscores align=middle>56</TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 vAlign=top><TD class=yspscores align=middle>19</TD><TD class=yspscores align=middle>HR</TD><TD class=yspscores align=middle>24</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The Cleveland Indians are leading the AL wild-card race. However, they still have their eyes set on the AL Central title.


The surging Indians look to cut further into the first-place Chicago White Sox's division lead when the rivals begin a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field.

Cleveland leads the wild-card race by 1 1/2 games over the New York Yankees. The Indians, who have won 12 out of 13, have pulled within 3 1/2 games of the first-place White Sox after trailing by 15 games on Aug. 1.

``They're in first place and we're in second,'' Cleveland designated hitter Travis Hafner said. ``Let's go out there and see who has the best team.''

Chicago has won 10 of 13 meetings with Cleveland -- a big reason why it has been atop the division the entire season. The teams have not met since the White Sox swept a four-game series at Jacobs Field from July 14-17 by limiting the Indians to a total of six runs.

Times have changed for Chicago, which is just 22-23 since Aug. 1. The White Sox enter with a bit of confidence after capturing the deciding game of a three-game series at Minnesota with Sunday's 2-1 victory.

``We're going through a tough time right now,'' Chicago outfielder Jermaine Dye said, ``but a win is a win and we'll take it.''

It was just Chicago's third win in the last 10 games. The White Sox managed only four runs and 18 hits over the weekend at Minnesota.

``The way we win ballgames over here is to score just enough runs to stay ahead of the other team and beat them,'' Chicago infielder Geoff Blum said.
Cleveland is clearly headed in the opposite direction, going a major-league best 33-11 since July 31. The Indians completed a 9-1 homestand by routing Kansas City 11-0 on Sunday.

``We realize there is more at stake, but I promise you we'll go there with the same attitude,'' Cleveland third baseman Aaron Boone said. ``That's just the way this team is.''

Left fielder Coco Crisp capped a scorching homestand with three hits on Sunday. Crisp batted .375 (15-for-40) and scored nine runs over the last 10 games.
``Why change anything now?'' Crisp said. ``We want to win every game, not just three in Chicago. But we're not going to get all worried about it.''

Chicago starter Freddy Garcia is 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA in three starts against Cleveland this season. Garcia has struggled recently, going 1-2 with a 7.23 ERA over his last four starts.

The 29-year-old right-hander is just 3-5 with a 4.56 ERA in 14 starts at home, where he has surrendered 15 of his 24 homers this season. Garcia will be opposed by Kevin Millwood, who is 0-2 despite a 1.29 ERA in three starts against Chicago this season. Millwood is 1-1 with a 1.2 ERA over his last four outings.
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