In Seattle, Indians wallop Mariners to complete ‘homestand’

SEATTLE (AP) — Those memories of players wearing parkas and groundkeepers shoveling snow off the Jacobs Field grass can finally be put away.

A full 2,400 miles from home, the Cleveland Indians finished off their home-opening series nearly six months after it was snowed out.

Playing a “home” game in their third stadium this season, the Indians used a big third inning to back Fausto Carmona in Cleveland’s 12-4 win over the Seattle Mariners in the opening game of an odd doubleheader Wednesday night.

Cleveland was the home team for the first game in just the second doubleheader in Safeco Field history. The twinbill was the final makeup the teams were forced to play after their four-game series in April in Cleveland was snowed out.

The second game wasn’t completed in time for today’s edition.

Big inning

Luis Rivas homered and tripled in the third inning, as the Indians sent 13 batters to the plate, all of which either scored or drove in a run in the inning.

Carmona didn’t need that much offensive help and looked postseason ready. The righty likely wrapped up the AL ERA title, despite giving up a first-inning two-run homer to Seattle’s Jose Guillen — the first homer Carmona allowed since Aug. 21.

Other than Guillen’s 22nd homer, Carmona was strong, improving to 19-8 in what was his last start before the playoffs. He pitched seven innings, giving up three runs and seven hits with four strikeouts. He retired 15 straight batters at one point before Wladimir Balentien’s first career homer in the seventh.

“We feel ready to start the playoffs,” Carmona said. “[I] feel great about what has happened this season.”

On a clear, crisp day, a few thousand fans took advantage of the doubleheader and used their tickets for Wednesday’s nightcap to attend the afternoon matinee. A number were Indians’ fans and they had plenty to cheer in the third.

Rivas started the inning lining his first homer in more than two years off the left field foul pole, in just his second at-bat since being brought up on Sept. 1.

It only got worse for Seattle starter Ryan Feierabend (1-6), who gave up five hits to the next seven batters, including an RBI double to Ryan Garko and RBI single by Jason Michaels.

Casey Blake finally ended Feierabend’s afternoon with a bloop double just inside the right-field line.

Tuesday

Kenny Lofton’s sacrifice fly in the 12th inning gave Cleveland a 4-3 victory.

Asdrubal Cabrera opened the 12th with a four-pitch walk from Brandon Morrow (3-4).

Ryan Rowland-Smith took over and his first move was a wild pickoff throw to first. The ball rolled up the right-field line and Cabrera easily reached third.

Lofton followed with a sacrifice fly on the first pitch. Tom Mastny (7-2) gave up two hits and a walk in a scoreless inning to pick up the win. Rafael Betancourt earned his third save — and second in two games — with a routine 12th.