The Korea Herald

피터빈트

Indians, Mariners split doubleheader

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Published : Aug. 24, 2011 - 18:24

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CLEVELAND (AP) ― Tremors from a major earthquake didn’t do any structural damage to Progressive Field.

However, the Indians’ playoff hopes developed a few more cracks.

Anthony Vasquez won his major league debut with a ton of run support and fellow rookie Dustin Ackley had three RBIs as the Seattle Mariners split a day-night doubleheader Tuesday, taking the second game 12-7 over the sinking Indians, who failed to build off an emotional win earlier.
Choo Shin-soo (left) of the Cleveland Indians is greeted by his teammates after hitting a three run walk-off home run at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, Tuesday. (AFP-Yonhap News) Choo Shin-soo (left) of the Cleveland Indians is greeted by his teammates after hitting a three run walk-off home run at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, Tuesday. (AFP-Yonhap News)

Vasquez (1-0) was one of five first-year players in Seattle’s starting lineup for Game 2, but whatever the Mariners lacked in experience, they made up for with quality swings while scoring five runs in both the third and fourth innings off Zach McAllister( (0-1), recalled between games by the Indians for the spot start.

“We got exactly what we didn’t need,” Acta said of McAllister, tagged for 10 runs and nine hits in 3 1-3 innings. “It’s disappointing, but that’s what you get when these kids come up. You never know what you are going to get. … We just didn’t pitch the way we’ve pitched all season.”

The Indians won the opener with typical dramatic flair ― a walk-off, three-run homer by Choo Shin-soo to snap a four-game losing streak and keep pace with the Tigers. However, Cleveland couldn’t keep its momentum, fell behind 10-2 in the fourth inning in the nightcap and are back to .500.

In the second game, Kusoke Fukudome and Choo hit solo homers and Jack Hannahan had a career-high four hits for Cleveland, which went 3 for 15 with runners in scoring position.

“We kept battling, but we were in too big a hole to get out of it,” Acta said.

Choo’s three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth in the opener gave the Indians a 7-5 win.

Choo’s shot into the seats in left field quaked the ballpark again, giving the Indians their sixth walk-off win by a homer and 15th victory in their final home at-bat this season. Choo almost didn’t play for the second straight game following the birth of his daughter, Abigail, but he arrived 90 minutes before the first pitch and hit the final one from Brandon League (1-5) over the wall.

The shot pumped up the Indians. It wasn’t long before they were deflated.