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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Chuck Finley hasn't been Cleveland's missing
piece. Just the most important one.
Finley pitched a solid 7 2/3 innings to win his third straight
start and Jacob Cruz made two nice catches in center field Saturday
as Cleveland won its second in a row over Boston with a 3-2 victory
over the Red Sox.
|  | | Manny Ramirez slides home safely with the Indians' first run of the game Saturday. |
Skeptics wondered why the Indians would risk signing the
37-year-old Finley to a $27 million, three-year contract. Cleveland
figured the risk was worth it if the left-hander could bring them a
World Series title.
And so far, Finley has been worth every nickel.
"He has pitched his butt off," Indians manager Charlie Manuel
said. "He has been everything we wanted when we got him. He's been
our best pitcher."
Mixing a fastball with some nasty off-speed stuff, Finley (3-0)
had the Red Sox off-balance all afternoon. He allowed five hits,
got 12 groundball outs and allowed only one fly ball -- a drive to
deep center by Nomar Garciaparra in the sixth that Cruz ran down on
the warning track.
Finley struck out seven, walked two and has given up just two
earned runs in his last 24 2/3 innings.
"He has done a great job for us so far," David Justice said.
"I respect any pitcher who's got game. He makes us a better
team."
Finley, who spent his first 14 seasons with the Angels, was
courted by several teams during the offseason. But he finally chose
Cleveland for a chance to pitch in front of a sellout crowd at home
every time out and for a shot at winning a World Series ring.
"I'm happy where I'm at," said Finley, who has been thrust
into the role of No. 1 starter while Bartolo Colon is on the
disabled list. "I'm not a big talker. I just go out there and do
my thing."
Finley's presence makes the Indians even more dangerous in
October.
"He takes the pressure off their other guys," said Boston's
Carl Everett. "They are that much tougher with him out there."
Finley left with two outs in the eighth, one batter after Jose
Offerman's fielder's choice grounder brought the Red Sox within
3-2.
Paul Shuey came in and walked Garciaparra before Mike Stanley,
who homered earlier, followed with a drive to deep center that Cruz
caught just before crashing into the wall.
Cruz had to be helped off the field and was replaced in the
ninth by David Justice, who switched from left to center. It was
the first time Justice played center since Single-A ball years 14
ago.
Cruz left the ballpark on crutches and was scheduled to have an
MRI Saturday afternoon. Manuel said the Indians' trainers told him
there could be a tear in Cruz's left knee. A team spokesman said Cruz
heard his knee pop.
Cruz's playing status complicates Cleveland's current outfield
situation. Kenny Lofton was sidelined for the second straight game
with soreness in his left biceps and could end up on the DL as
well.
Manuel said the Indians would likely recall outfielders Jolbert
Cabrera and Mark Whiten from Triple-A Buffalo if both Cruz and
Lofton are out.
Cleveland's full-time closer's job may soon belong to Steve
Karsay, who pitched the ninth for his fourth save and second in two
days.
Cleveland took a 3-1 lead in the fifth, scoring the go-ahead run
against Ramon Martinez (1-2) on a rare error by Darren Lewis in
right.
Lewis, who has highest career fielding percentage among
outfielders with at least 1,000 games played, lost Cruz's sacrifice
fly in the sun and let it drop for a two-base error.
"There was nothing I could do," Lewis said.
Richie Sexson singled leading off and went to third on Einar
Diaz's double. Cruz followed with a towering fly toward Lewis, who
despite wearing sunglasses and using his glove as a shield, still
couldn't find the ball and Sexson scored.
"I tried to stay with it as long as I could," said Lewis. "I
just couldn't get an angle on it. It was one of those things."
Omar Vizquel's sac fly made it 3-1.
Stanley, who hits Finley better than any Boston starter, homered
into the Indians' bullpen in the first to give the Red Sox a 1-0
lead.
Game notes
Garciaparra's hitting streak ended at 14 games. ... Better
known for their hitting prowess, Cleveland's six outfielders have
not committed an error this season. ... Karsay has not allowed a
run in his last nine games and has not walked a batter this season.
... With 10 strikeouts in his last start, Finley became the first
Indians pitcher since Sam McDowell in 1970 to strike out 10 or more
in three straight starts. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, no
Indians pitcher since 1950 has accomplished the feat four times.
Bob Feller, Cleveland's career strikeout leader, never did it.
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Baseball Scoreboard
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Cleveland Clubhouse
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Cleveland 3
Boston 2
Chi. White Sox 2
Detroit 1
Toronto 6
NY Yankees 2
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