The Streak Continues

The Indians made it 6 in a row with a tense 6 to 5 victory sealed with a walk-off walk to Kenny Lofton. The Indians almost blew this game. The Indians went out to a 3-0 lead, which they squandered, letting Seattle come back to take a 4-3 lead. The Indians then came back to take a 5-4 lead before watching Seattle tie it 5-5 in the top off the ninth off a clearly tired Joe Knows Closing. Seattle fans could only watch in terror as Victor Martinez singled and O' Flaherty hit Garko with a pitch. Then Rick White (remember him, Indians fans?) walked Gutierrez, got Peralta to line out and then walked Kenny Lofton on 6 straight balls (with K-Love swinging at 2 of them to add to the drama). So, instead of a save, Joe Knows Closing gets a win. Go figure.

Some observations about the game:

• Rafael Perez is human: After coming on to relieve Laffey in the seventh with 2 on, he gave up two straight hits to give Seattle a 4-3 lead.
• Rafael Perez also continues to be a freak: The next inning he struck out the side in order.
• How in the world is Rick White still employed? Why the Mariners believed that he is capable of pitching high leverage situations, let alone low leverage ones is beyond me. The amount of hatred for Rick White still lingers from his time in Cleveland. My gosh, even Tom Hamilton, who likes everyone, dislikes Rick White, and you could tell from the way he called the game last night. And if Hammy dislikes Rick White, it's nothing compared to the profane hatred of Mariners fans.
• Indians fans in the blogosphere are a generally a pessimistic lot, although generally pretty good natured. We know disappointment, and we've come to learn to expect it. Mariners fans, on the other hand, are just bitter as hell, and profane as well.
• I almost feel sorry for the Mariners. After getting thoroughly beat down by the Angels (at home!), they had to fly crosscountry to make up a game against a hot team without a day off. Then I think back to April and the Mariners yukking it up in the dugout while swiping a victory from the Indians after 4 and 2/3 innings of baseball during the infamous Snow Game Home Opener. And how, in the midst of the pennant race, we're going to have to make up one of our home games in their stadium. Then I don't feel sorry for those punks at all.
• Cliff who?
• Eric Wedge got himself tossed by arguing a non-balk call in the 4th inning. It was clearly a balk, but according to baseball rules, arguing a balk call is an automatic ejection. It was nice to see Wedgie show some spunk, but that left Jeff Datz to run the rest of the game. The thought of Jeff Datz running the rest of the game may be one reason that Wedge doesn't get himself thrown out of more games.
• Adam Jones looks like he's going to be a hoss for Seattle. He clubbed the first of what promises to be many major league home runs last night.
• There was great joy in Cleveland when Ichiro struck out in the seventh inning last night with runners on first and second. Ichiro, you may remember, said this recently: "To tell the truth, I'm not excited to go to Cleveland, but we have to. If I ever saw myself saying I'm excited going to Cleveland, I'd punch myself in the face, because I'm lying." He heard it from the crowd all night.
• It's highly unlikely the Tribe will do anything today at the waiver wire deadline, but you never know. It's also highly unlikely we see anyone up from Buffalo tomorrow with the Bisons in the middle of a pennant race and the big club clearly not needing much help. Maybe it will finally be Matt Miller Time. Or maybe Lee comes up to work in the bullpen.

Mojo Watch

Cleveland Indians: The fact that they keep winning games like last night's is an indication that they've still got Full Elvis.

Next up: the White Sox, who, speaking of profanity laced tirades, recently got the what for from Ozzie Being Ozzie. We'll see if it motivates them at all. Buehrle vs. Carmona. Beuhrle has a history of being either nearly unhittable or getting totally thrashed by the Tribe. Let's hope it's that latter tonight.