An eight-run explosion!

As I try to forget about the Cavaliers ...

Heading into the ninth inning last night, the punchless Indians seemed about ready to putter their way to a 2-0 loss, with both Orioles runs coming off solo home runs by Ty Wigginton off Tribe starter Mitch Talbot. It looked like Talbot, who had given up two runs on five hits in eight innings of work, would be the hard-luck loser.

Enter Baltimore's 28-year-old rookie closer, Alfredo Simon. Entering last night's game, Simon was 5-for-5 in save opportunities and had not given up a run in his 8 1/3 major league innings since getting called up in late April. Simon got the first hitter, Trevor Crowe, on a pop foul to the third-base side. (More on Crowe later.) That was the only out Simon would record in this one. Asdrubal Cabrera singled to right, Mark Grudzielanek drew a walk, and Shin-Soo Choo followed with an RBI single that put the tying run at second. Then Simon made a mistake up in the zone to Austin Kearns, who was previously 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Kearns deposited it in the left field stands, giving the Indians a 4-2 lead.

Tribe manager Manny Acta got closer Kerry Wood warming up to protect the lead in the bottom of the ninth, as Orioles skipper Dave Trembley pulled Simon in favor of Cla Meredith. Meredith was only slightly better than Simon, walking Travis Hafner, giving up a single to Jhonny Peralta, then striking out Russell Branyan for the second out of the inning. Mike Redmond followed with a two-run double, then Crowe swatted a home run to right that gave the Tribe an eight-run inning and a six-run advantage. Cabrera flied out to end the inning.

Crowe, who had JUST been called up from Columbus the same day, would follow his offensive heroics with a sterling defensive play in the bottom of the ninth. Acta had chosen to go with Tony Sipp instead of Wood, saving Wood in case of a closer game today or later in the week, and Nick Markakis opened the inning with a double off Sipp. The next hitter, Miguel Tejada, sent a liner toward shallow center, where Crowe was playing deep. Crowe got a great jump on the ball, took off on a full sprint toward the infield, and made the play with a diving catch that saved a run.

And that, my friends, is why the Orioles are one of baseball's worst teams.

Talbot wins third straight; offense comes alive

Mitch Talbot is supposed to be the Indians' fifth starter this year. That's where he falls in the rotation, anyway. But after going 6 1/3 and giving up just one run in last night's 9-2 win over the Angels, Tabot is now 3-1 with a 2.05 ERA. He stopped the Indians' losing streak at two games, and his ERA is best among all five Tribe starters — and eighth-best in the American League. Those three wins he's got already this year are the first three of his major-league career. The kid's off to a great start.

The offense also came alive last night, pounding out 18 hits, including three from Austin Kearns, one of which left the yard. Kearns racked up five RBIs in this one, doubling his season total. Asdrubal Cabrera also had four hits.

The Indians and Angels play the rubber match tonight, and it actually starts at 7:05 Eastern, which gives working Clevelanders a chance to watch it. Jake Westbrook will try to turn around his poor start, facing off against Ervin Santana. At my house, we'll be watching American Idol for part of that time, but you can bet we'll be checking in. (For anyone who cares, I think Big Mike is toast.)