Indians lose game, but tie in shoving match

By Paul Hoynes

Cleveland Plain Dealer

BOSTON

It was a long day’s journey into night for Jensen Lewis and the Indians on Tuesday.

He started the eighth inning of the Indians’ 3-1 loss to the Red Sox and started a benches-clearing shoving match at the mound by throwing a fastball behind Adrian Beltre.

After the field was finally cleared, Lewis, third base coach Steve Smith and Boston’s starting pitcher Josh Beckett were ejected by plate umpire Tim Welke.

The confrontation started brewing early. Who knows, it may have even gone back to the seventh inning of Monday’s game when Boston outfielder Ryan Kalish slid into Tribe catcher Carlos Santana at the plate. Santana, the Indians’ top prospect, injured his left knee and may need surgery.

Beckett, who has been on the disabled list most of the season, hit Shelley Duncan in the first. He hit Shin-Soo Choo in the right knee in the third.

In the seventh, Tribe reliever Justin Germano threw behind David Ortiz’s legs with two out.

Lewis threw one pitch and the game turned into a rugby match on the mound.

“It was a fastball in,” said Lewis.

At the end of the shoving match, Smith and Boston pitching coach John Farrell exchanged words. Then Boston manager Terry Francona tried to go after Smith, but was restrained by an umpire.

The Indians’ only run came on Lou Marson’s leadoff homer in the third. Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon allowed one hit the rest of the way, with Papelbon earning his 25th save by working the ninth.

David Huff, just back from Class AAA Columbus along with Marson, took the loss. Huff allowed three runs and seven hits in 51/3 innings.

“Huff was OK,” said manager Manny Acta. “There was a lot of pitches for 51/3.”