Choo rescues Tribe, but Seattle gets split

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Hours after shock waves from an earthquake quivered Progressive Field’s upper deck, Shin-Soo Choo rocked the ballpark by himself.

Choo’s three-run homer in the ninth inning Tuesday gave the Cleveland Indians yet another dramatic win, 7-5 over the Seattle Mariners in the first game of a day-night doubleheader that was briefly shaken by the major earthquake on the East Coast.

Choo, who nearly missed the game following the birth of his daughter, hit the first pitch from Mariners closer Brandon Lee (1-5) over the wall in left, helping the Indians end a four-game losing streak.

Seattle won the night game 12-7.

Choo was mobbed at home plate by his teammates, a fitting welcome for the versatile outfielder who has had a rough season on and off the field.

“As I rounded the bases, a lot of things were going through my mind,” said Choo, whose wife gave birth to 7-pound Abigail on Monday. “I thought about my family, my wife, my newborn daughter. I’m not an emotional person, but it was a great feeling.”

Chris Perez (3-6) got the win despite giving up a two-run double in the ninth to put the Mariners up 5-4.

If not for Choo’s heroics — Cleveland’s sixth walk-off homer and 15th win in its last at-bat at home this season — the Indians were in danger of dropping below .500 for the first time since April 3 and effectively kissing what has been an unexpected season of thrills goodbye.

Ezequiel Carrera opened the Indians’ ninth with a double, and then made a baserunning blunder that could have been costly. He hesitated going to third on Asdrubal Cabrera’s grounder to the right side, but second baseman Dustin Ackley’s throw to third was high and Carrera was safe.

Moments later, Choo was taking a trip around the bases to savor.

Shock waves from magnitude-5.9 earthquake centered in Virginia swayed the upper deck and press box for nearly one minute in the fourth inning.

The game was not interrupted, and the Indians reported no structural damage to the 43,000-seat ballpark.

Mariners manager Eric Wedge didn’t feel the temblor, and none of his players noticed any shaking.

“I didn’t feel anything, but I’m from California,” said Seattle rookie outfielder Trayvon Robinson.

Cleveland’s fading playoff hopes didn’t develop any more cracks.

Indians starter Justin Masterson deserved better than a no-decision. He was two outs from becoming the first Cleveland pitcher to go nine innings this season before Perez came on and gave up Robinson’s two-run double. Masterson allowed three runs, 10 hits and protected the Indians’ bullpen.

Mariners 12, Indians 7

Anthony Vasquez won his major league debut with a ton of run support and fellow rookie Dustin Ackley had three RBIs.

Vasquez (1-0) was one of five first-year players in Seattle’s starting lineup. The Mariners scored five runs in both the third and fourth. Ackley got all three RBIs off Zach McAllister (0-1).