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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Scoreboard watching is temporarily on hold for
the Cleveland Indians. They're back to reading MRI results and X-rays. And holding their breath.
Bartolo Colon took a shutout into the sixth before leaving with
a stiff right shoulder, and Baltimore rallied against Cleveland's
overworked bullpen for an 8-6 victory Saturday.
Delino DeShields was credited with a two-run single -- on a ball
shortstop Omar Vizquel should have fielded --_ in Baltimore's
four-run seventh as the Orioles snapped an eight-game losing streak
at Jacobs Field.
But for the Indians, who remain one game ahead of Boston in the
AL wild card race, Sunday could be a big day in determining their
playoff chances.
Colon, their top starter, will undergo an MRI exam Sunday
morning to see if there is anything more seriously wrong than a
strain.
"He said it was sore," Indians manager Charlie Manuel said.
"He said something to me before, but the last couple of starts he
didn't say anything about it." Colon was unavailable for comment following the game.
Kenny Lofton scored for the 17th straight game and drove in a
run for the Indians. Lofton is one game shy of tying the major league record held by
Red Rolfe, who scored in 18 straight games for the 1939 New York
Yankees. Ted Kluszewski holds the NL record by scoring in 17 games
in a row for the 1954 Cincinnati Reds.
Jeff Conine went 3-for-5, drove in two runs and made two errors
at third base for the Orioles. "I'm glad I knocked in as many as I let in," Conine said. "I
just missed those balls. They were easy plays."
Colon, unbeaten in his last seven starts, rarely reached the
mid-90s on the radar gun -- his usual range -- and left rubbing his
right shoulder in the sixth.
The right-hander departed with the Indians leading 2-0, but
relievers Chris Nichting and Steve Karsay couldn't protect it.
"That turned the game around," Manuel said of Colon's exit.
Karsay (4-7) gave up three runs in the seventh and saw his ERA
balloon to 24.00 in his last five outings.
"It's coming down to crunch time, we've only got 30 games
left," Karsay said. "And I need to figure it out and figure it
out quick."
Pat Rapp (7-10) got his first win in five starts since July 21,
allowing three runs and five hits in six innings.
Karsay opened the seventh by hitting Fernando Lunar, and Brady
Anderson singled with one out. Jerry Hairston followed with a
single to load the bases.
DeShields hit a grounder just to the left of second base that
Vizquel tried to catch and shovel in one motion, but the ball got
under his glove, allowing two runs to score.
"I've seen him do it before," Manuel said. "I think he was
thinking of getting two."
Steve Reed came on and Albert Belle hit an RBI single before
Conine's RBI double put the Orioles ahead 6-3.
The Indians have used 31 pitchers this season because of
injuries, and some haven't pitched in games as important as the
ones Cleveland's playing right now.
"My bullpen needs to relax and have some fun," Manuel said.
"Some of them might be getting a little tight. I don't think
they're tired."
The Indians closed to 6-5 in the eighth on Travis Fryman's
two-out, two-run double off Mike Trombley, but first baseman Chris
Richard made a diving catch on pinch-hitter Bill Selby's liner with
two on to end the inning.
Baltimore added two runs in the ninth on Conine's RBI double and
Mark Lewis' run-scoring single.
But the Indians got an RBI single from Manny Ramirez in the
ninth and had runners at second and third when rookie Ryan
Kohlmeier got David Segui to ground to second for his eighth save.
"Ryan struggled with his command, then got out of it," said
Orioles manager Mike Hargrove, who got his first win against his
former team in Cleveland. "We got eight runs and you never know if
that will be enough against them."
Colon managed to avoid trouble in the first four innings thanks
to three double plays. But he walked Hairston to open the sixth and fell behind
DeShields before stepping off the mound. Manuel came out with a
trainer, and soon Cleveland's entire infield joined them to check
on Colon's condition.
Colon had to leave an Aug. 23 start in the fifth because of
tendinitis in his knee and was on the DL earlier this season with a
pulled rib muscle.
Game notes
Rock legend Alice Cooper threw out the ceremonial first
pitch. Cooper was in town for a concert Saturday night. ... Air
Force Thunderbirds from the Cleveland Air Show buzzed the ballpark
several times, once emptying the Orioles' dugout which came out for
a look. ... Chris Nichting was the 31st pitcher used by the Indians
this season, extending their major league record. ... Baltimore
committed its 100th error when 3B Conine let Wil Cordero's grounder
go through his legs in the fourth. The Orioles hadn't had 100
errors since 1993.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Baltimore Clubhouse
Cleveland Clubhouse
The Iron Man returns: Ripken singles in first at-bat off DL
RECAPS
Seattle 4
Boston 1
Baltimore 8
Cleveland 6
Oakland 8
Toronto 0
Kansas City 7
Tampa Bay 5
NY Yankees 13
Minnesota 4
Detroit 5
Texas 3
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Florida 10
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Philadelphia 0
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