Comeback Kids walk off in first place


Last night the Indians might have once again shown that in 2007, indeed the magic is back at Jacobs Field.

Kelly Shoppach, who won it on a pinch-hit homer with two out in the ninth inning, said the seeds for Tuesday’s Indians victory were sown early in the game.

“I thought when we scored three off [Dan] Haren, and got him out of the game, we
had a chance,” said Shoppach.

The Indians got down 5-3 in the top of the 9th on a two run homerun by the A’s outfielder Shannon Stewart, but they still had one at bat left as a team. One bullett left in the gun to fire.

The Indians tied the game at 5-5 with a 2-run double from Travis Hafner, scoring Ben Francisco to tie the game. This was the second night in a row that the resurgent Hafner got the big hit, as he homered in the first game of the series. Kelly Shoppach then came to the plate a few hitters later and launched the game winning 3 run homerun.

The Indians, who have won six of their past nine games, moved into a first-place tie with Detroit in the American League Central. The Tigers have lost two straight against the Texas Rangers.

The come from behind win was the 49th 9th-inning come from behind win in the history of Jacobs Field. Grady Sizemore also hit his 13th homerun of the season, collecting 2 more hits and 3 more runs for his career tallies.

Tonight, I will be attending the game at Jacobs Field. Rafael Carmona takes the hill against Lenny DiNardo. Full coverage to follow. It’s nice to see the Indians be playing ball in first as the fireflies come out in full swing and baseball marches on towards July.