Thursday, July 29, 2004
Casey Blake had a two-run homer in the Tribe's 5-4 win over Detroit.
By KURT SNYDER
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CLEVELAND -- It was a night of firsts for the Cleveland Indians Wednesday night.
Scott Elarton picked up his first win since Sept. 19, 2003, and Bob Wickman registered his first save since July 20, 2002, as the Indians beat the Detroit Tigers 5-4 at Jacobs Field.
After Elarton (1-2, 5.61) battled through the seventh inning trailing 4-3, Casey Blake hit a two-run home run to left off Tigers left-hander Jamie Walker. Rafael Betancourt and Wickman then each pitched a 1-2-3 inning to give Elarton his first win in 17 starts this year. He was 0-2 in eight starts coming into the start as an Indian. He was 0-6 in eight starts with Colorado earlier this season.
"It's nice to get a number in that win column," Elarton said. "The biggest thing is [Eric Wedge] stuck with me and let me go back out there in the seventh."
Had faith
The Indians manager did stick with Elarton in that seventh inning even though Elarton had not gone more than six innings all year. With a man on first and two outs, Elarton struck out Tigers leadoff hitter Jason Smith. Smith had homered and singled in his two previous at-bats.
"I was really impressed with the way the ball came out of his hand in that seventh inning and with the way he got us through that seventh inning," Wedge said.
Elarton said Wickman tried to give him the game ball after the game, but he wanted Wickman to keep it.
Wickman had missed 11/2 seasons because of elbow surgery before returning July 6. After spending two weeks in a setup role, Wickman was moved into his closer role last week, and this was his first save opportunity.
He retired Rondell White on a grounder to Omar Vizquel on his first pitch. Then he retired Carlos Pena and Marcus Thames on grounders as well.
"I think it all worked up to it. I don't think many people realize a couple nights ago I pitched in a tie game against Kansas City," said Wickman. He pitched a scoreless inning in last Friday's 11-inning victory over the Royals.
Wednesday night was also Wickman's first appearances on back-to-back nights. He struck out the side in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 10-6 win. Wickman said he felt good, but he will have to see how his elbow bounces back.
Stepping stone
"That's the one stepping stone that everyone was looking at," he said. "The main thing will be how I feel tomorrow.
"I'm going to come in and probably play catch, work out and take the flight to Kansas City," he said, referring to today's day off before a three-game series with the Royals.
With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Victor Martinez singled to left before Blake worked Walker to a full count. Then Blake hit a fastball out to the front row of the left-field bleachers. Blake hit a home run in a similar situation off Walker to beat Detroit May 19, 2003.
"I helped the team win," Blake said. "That's what it's all about."
Blake had been in a slump before he had six hits in the series, including three last night.
"It's a matter of having confidence in yourself and relaxing."
The Indians are now 10-5 after the All-Star break and are 52-50 and 51/2 games behind Minnesota in the American League Central. This is the first time the Indians have been two games over .500 since April 2002.
"It was important for us to come back and do a better job after the All-Star break this year," Wedge said. "Last year, we didn't play particularly well after the All-Star break, and a lot of these young men were going through things for the first time. I'm pleased with the way we are playing here of late."
Scored early
The Indians began scoring early against Tigers left-handed starter Nate Robertson. In the first, Matt Lawton bounced a broken-bat single into left to score Vizquel from second. Vizquel had doubled when White could not make a catch on his sinking line drive to left. The Indians had a chance for a big inning, but three batters later, Lou Merloni hit into an inning-ending 5-3 double play.
The Indians then took a 2-0 lead when Blake singled Vizquel home from third with a line-drive single to right. Vizquel had reached on a throwing error by shortstop Carlos Guillen.
The Tigers got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth when Smith homered just to the right of center. It was the first hit off Elarton. Then the Tigers tied the game later in the inning when Dmitri Young hit a sacrifice fly to center after back-to-back singles by Guillen and Ivan Rodriguez.
The Tigers then took a 4-2 lead when Guillen hit a two-run home run to right.
The Indians trimmed the deficit to 4-3 in the sixth on the strength of two singles and two walks with two outs, setting up Blake's heroics in the seventh.
ksnyder@vindy.com