Guillen, Lopez homer as Mariners down <h3>SEATTLE 4, CLEVELAND 2</h3>By Paul Lowenberg PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer SEATTLE (Ticker) -- For the second night in a row, the SeattleMariners spoiled the Cleveland Indians' opportunity to take thetop spot in the American League. Jose Guillen and Jose Lopez each hit two-run homers and ChaSeung Baek hurled six solid innings as the Mariners defeated theIndians, 4-1, on Thursday night to earn a split in theirfour-game series. With the loss, Cleveland (94-65) missed the chance to claim thebest record in the AL and remained tied with the Boston Red Sox(94-65), who hold the tiebreaker should the clubs finish in atie. Guillen was able to get the Mariners off to a quick start,blasting a two-run shot - his 23rd homer of the season - offIndians starter Paul Byrd in the first inning. After Ibanezsingled with two outs in the first, Guillen sent Byrd's 1-2offering over the center field wall to grab an early 2-0 edge. Seattle struck again in the fourth frame when Lopez smashed his10th homer of the year into the left field bullpen. Afterrookie Jeff Clement singled with two outs in the inning, Lopezhit just his second blast since the All-Star break for a 4-1lead. Baek (4-3), who may be in line for a starting role next season,allowed just one run and scattered seven hits with no walks andtwo strikeouts. It was Baek's first major league win since May31. The 27-year-old Korean-born righthander was making his 12thstart of the year, but first since he went on the 15-daydisabled list on June 17 with an inflamed shoulder. Sean Green threw two scoreless innings and Brandon Morrowretired the first two batters of the ninth frame before GeorgeSherrill came in to log his third save. Mariners catcher KenjiJohjima picked off Indians leadoff hitter Grady Sizemore to endthe game. Byrd (15-8) suffered his second consecutive loss, giving up 11hits and four runs over 6 1/3 innings. He departed with one outin the seventh after Willie Bloomquist and Adrian Beltresingled. But Cliff Lee made his fourth relief appearance of theyear and got Raul Ibanez to ground out then fanned Guillen toend the threat. Cleveland got on the scoreboard in the second when Kenny Loftonbelted an RBI triple off the center field wall to cut theMariners advantage to 2-1.
Guillen, Lopez homer as Mariners down Indians <h3>SEATTLE 4, CLEVELAND 2</h3>By Paul Lowenberg PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer SEATTLE (Ticker) -- For the second night in a row, the SeattleMariners spoiled the Cleveland Indians' opportunity to take thetop spot in the American League. Jose Guillen and Jose Lopez each hit two-run homers and ChaSeung Baek hurled six solid innings as the Mariners defeated theIndians, 4-2, on Thursday night to earn a split in theirfour-game series. With the loss, Cleveland (94-65) missed the chance to claim thebest record in the AL and remained tied with the Boston Red Sox(94-65), who hold the tiebreaker should the clubs finish in atie. "I don't think it's good when a team plays games for a week thatdon't count and then go into the playoffs," losing pitcher PaulByrd (15-8) said. "I think it's good that these games meanthings. We're trying to get everybody ready to go for theplayoffs, and yet win games at the same time." "It presents some interesting dilemmas as to who to play," Byrdadded. "But we do have to get guys ready and we do have to wingames. It's still a lot of fun right now, the games still countand I think that it's a good thing that they matter before wehead into the playoffs." Guillen was able to get the Mariners off to a quick start,blasting a two-run shot - his 23rd homer of the season - offIndians starter Paul Byrd in the first inning. After Ibanezsingled with two outs in the first, Guillen sent Byrd's 1-2offering over the center field wall to grab an early 2-0 edge. "I know we are not going anywhere but it's better to startwinning some games and finish strong and show the fans we reallycare and will have a great team for next year," Guillen said. Seattle struck again in the fourth frame when Lopez smashed his10th homer of the year into the left field bullpen. Afterrookie Jeff Clement singled with two outs in the inning, Lopezhit just his second blast since the All-Star break for a 4-1lead. Baek (4-3), who may be in line for a starting role next season,allowed just one run and scattered seven hits with no walks andtwo strikeouts. It was Baek's first major league win since May31. The 27-year-old Korean-born righthander was making his 12thstart of the year, but first since he went on the 15-daydisabled list on June 17 with an inflamed shoulder. "Baek did a heck of a job," Mariners manager John McLaren said."He was sharp. Good changeup. Good control and command outthere. He'll get a good look next Spring for sure." Sean Green threw two scoreless innings but the Mariners had toweather an Indians' threat in the ninth before George Sherrillcame on to preserve the victory with his third save. Brandon Morrow started the ninth by striking out Casey Blake,but Kenny Lofton and Kelly Shoppach had back-to-back doubles tomake the score 4-2. Morrow struck out pinch hitter Ryan Garko,but Sherrill took over and hit Grady Sizemore to put runners atfirst and second. The rally died when Mariners catcher KenjiJohjima picked Sizemore off first to end the game. Byrd suffered his second consecutive loss, giving up 11 hits andfour runs over 6 1/3 innings. He departed with one out in theseventh after Willie Bloomquist and Adrian Beltre singled. ButCliff Lee made his fourth relief appearance of the year and gotRaul Ibanez to ground out then fanned Guillen to end the threat. "Byrdie threw the ball well today, but a couple of big ballshurt him," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. "He did a goodjob of battling and got us deep into the ballgame, and Cliff Leecame in and picked him up. I was really impressed with the wayhe threw the ball today." Cleveland got on the scoreboard in the second when Kenny Loftonbelted an RBI triple off the center field wall to cut theMariners advantage to 2-1.
Guillen, Lopez homer as Mariners down Indians <h3>SEATTLE 4, CLEVELAND 2</h3>By Paul Lowenberg PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer SEATTLE (Ticker) -- For the second night in a row, the SeattleMariners spoiled the Cleveland Indians' opportunity to take thetop spot in the American League. Jose Guillen and Jose Lopez each hit two-run homers and ChaSeung Baek hurled six solid innings as the Mariners defeated theIndians, 4-2, on Thursday night to earn a split in theirfour-game series. With the loss, Cleveland (94-65) missed the chance to claim thebest record in the AL and remained tied with the Boston Red Sox(94-65), who hold the tiebreaker should the clubs finish in atie. "I don't think it's good when a team plays games for a week thatdon't count and then go into the playoffs," losing pitcher PaulByrd (15-8) said. "I think it's good that these games meanthings. We're trying to get everybody ready to go for theplayoffs, and yet win games at the same time." "It presents some interesting dilemmas as to who to play," Byrdadded. "But we do have to get guys ready and we do have to wingames. It's still a lot of fun right now, the games still countand I think that it's a good thing that they matter before wehead into the playoffs." Guillen was able to get the Mariners off to a quick start,blasting a two-run shot - his 23rd homer of the season - offIndians starter Paul Byrd in the first inning. After Ibanezsingled with two outs in the first, Guillen sent Byrd's 1-2offering over the center field wall to grab an early 2-0 edge. "I know we are not going anywhere but it's better to startwinning some games and finish strong and show the fans we reallycare and will have a great team for next year," Guillen said. Seattle struck again in the fourth frame when Lopez smashed his10th homer of the year into the left field bullpen. Afterrookie Jeff Clement singled with two outs in the inning, Lopezhit just his second blast since the All-Star break for a 4-1lead. Baek (4-3), who may be in line for a starting role next season,allowed just one run and scattered seven hits with no walks andtwo strikeouts. It was Baek's first major league win since May31. The 27-year-old Korean-born righthander was making his 12thstart of the year, but first since he went on the 15-daydisabled list on June 17 with an inflamed shoulder. "Baek did a heck of a job," Mariners manager John McLaren said."He was sharp. Good changeup. Good control and command outthere. He'll get a good look next Spring for sure." Sean Green threw two scoreless innings but the Mariners had toweather an Indians' threat in the ninth before George Sherrillcame on to preserve the victory with his third save. Brandon Morrow started the ninth by striking out Casey Blake,but Kenny Lofton and Kelly Shoppach had back-to-back doubles tomake the score 4-2. Morrow struck out pinch hitter Ryan Garko,but Sherrill took over and hit Grady Sizemore to put runners atfirst and second. The rally died when Mariners catcher KenjiJohjima picked Sizemore off first to end the game. Byrd suffered his second consecutive loss, giving up 11 hits andfour runs over 6 1/3 innings. He departed with one out in theseventh after Willie Bloomquist and Adrian Beltre singled. ButCliff Lee made his fourth relief appearance of the year and gotRaul Ibanez to ground out then fanned Guillen to end the threat. "Byrdie threw the ball well today, but a couple of big ballshurt him," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. "He did a goodjob of battling and got us deep into the ballgame, and Cliff Leecame in and picked him up. I was really impressed with the wayhe threw the ball today." Cleveland got on the scoreboard in the second when Kenny Loftonbelted an RBI triple off the center field wall to cut theMariners advantage to 2-1.
