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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Triple steal lifts Indians to a win

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Cleveland's Franklin Gutierrez hit a first-inning grand slam off Chicago's Mark Buehrle to spark an 8-2 victory last night.

RON SCHWANE | Associated Press

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CLEVELAND — After completing a rare unassisted triple play a few weeks ago, the Cleveland Indians pulled off an even stranger feat with a triple steal.

The Indians accomplished the feat in an 8-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox last night.

In the sixth inning with the bases loaded and Ben Francisco batting, White Sox pitcher Ehren Wasserman faked a throw to third and threw to first, which caught Jamey Carroll off the bag. First baseman Paul Konerko got Carroll in a brief rundown. David Dellucci broke from third and Konerko's throw to catcher Toby Hall was in the dirt, allowing Dellucci to score. Dellucci, Carroll and Grady Sizemore, who was on second when the play began, were given stolen bases.

The odd play didn't result in good reviews from either team.

"Those are not plays we practice in spring training," Indians manager Eric Wedge said.

"It was crazy," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We really did a lot wrong. You can name it and name it. It's a good thing it was one game."

The last triple steal came on Oct. 1, 1987, by Atlanta against Houston according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Yesterday, Franklin Gutierrez hit a grand slam in the first inning to give Cleveland all the runs it would need. Gutierrez continues to thrive on Mark Buehrle.

"I know this guy," said Gutierrez, who hit a three-run homer off Buehrle on opening day and is batting .417 (5 for 12) with two homers and seven RBIs in his career against the left-hander. "I know what he can throw. I was relaxed and looking for a good pitch to hit."

While Gutierrez celebrated his first career grand slam, Buehrle, who fell to 2-6 and has lost six of his last seven decisions, had a different viewpoint of the results.

"I can't fall behind in the count in the first inning like that," he said. "I get two outs, with just one run across, and then I walk a guy, give up a hit, walk a guy, and then you saw what happened."

Buehrle allowed one run and two hits in seven innings against the Indians last week.

"Sometimes, this game stinks," he said. "It's frustrating. You give up two hits in one game, then can't get anybody out."

Buehrle allowed seven runs in five innings. He was pulled after back-to-back doubles by Jhonny Peralta and Ryan Garko in the sixth inning.

RANGERS 12, RAYS 6

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Josh Hamilton, a former No. 1 overall pick for Tampa Bay, hit a grand slam and matched his career high with five RBIs, and Vicente Padilla (7-2) allowed five runs and seven hits in six innings to win his fifth straight decision for Texas.

Padilla walked four and struck out a season-high 10 in stopping Tampa Bay's four-game winning streak.

TWINS 4, ROYALS 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Michael Cuddyer singled home Joe Mauer in the top of the 12th inning, helping Minnesota send Kansas City to its ninth straight defeat.

The Royals had tied it at 3 in the ninth on Mark Teahen's three-run, inside-the-park homer off Joe Nathan, who blew his first save in 14 opportunities.

ANGELS 3, TIGERS 2

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Gary Matthews Jr. hit an RBI single off Aquilino Lopez with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift Ervin Santana and Los Angeles over Detroit.

Santana (7-2) held Detroit to two runs and three hits, including Miguel Cabrera's two-run homer in the second inning. The Angels right-hander pitched his second complete game of the season and third of his career, striking out seven and walking none.

ATHLETICS 3, BLUE JAYS 1

OAKLAND, Calif. — Greg Smith (3-4) ended a five-start winless stretch, scattering six hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings, Jack Hannahan had an RBI double and Bobby Crosby also drove in a run to lift Oakland over Toronto.

Designated hitter Frank Thomas, released by the Blue Jays last month before he rejoined the A's, left the game in the fifth inning with a slight strain of his right quadriceps muscle.

RED SOX 4, MARINERS 3

SEATTLE — Jose Lopez lined a single past diving third baseman Mike Lowell to score Wladimir Balentien with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to help Seattle beat Boston and end a season-high seven-game losing streak.

Daisuke Matsuzaka left the game before the bottom of the fifth after allowing three runs on four hits through four innings. Then, after two warmup pitches before the bottom of the fifth, he appeared to briefly grab his lower back. He was relieved by David Aardsma.