Game 119: Aug 16, 1999 (W: 13-5)
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My Commentary

Oh my!  I was watching this game at home, and I thought Rick Helling was pitching well - I thought it was going to be another great Helling game.  Helling pitched well the first two innings, but then had a meltdown in the third, allowing five runs.  That was a shame, as I really thought he looked sharp in the first couple of innings, even though he allowed a few walks.  He bounced back for a good fourth, but was pulled early in the fifth in place of Mike Munoz, who along with Zimmerman & Venafro shut down the Indians after the third. 

Now, our offense.  :)  Jeez!  We went up 2-0 (on a Pudge solo home run in the 1st and a gift error by Vizquel), and I thought that was an OK start.  We then let them tie the game in the third, and I thought... "OK - these are the Indians, you don't keep them down very much".  But then I look up, and we're down 3.  I thought we were screwed.

However, in the sixth, Royce Clayton had a solo home run - showing some more power to left field (most of his homers have seen to have been to right).   Not long after that in the top of the 7th, unlikely home run hitter Mark McLemore belted a ball over the wall to bring the score to 5-4.  My wife, who was watching with me mentioned the "John Blake peck-away theory".  :)   

Anyways, it got much much better after that.  After a Pudge single and Juan single, Lee Stevens belted another single bringing in Pudge to tie the game.   A pitching change by Cleveland brought up Rafael Palmeiro who hit the first pinch hit home run for the Rangers all season, a 3 run shot, giving us an 8-5 lead.  In the 8th, Lee Stevens again batted in Pudge, giving us a 4 run lead, and then Jon Shave, playing for Luis Alicea (who was already playing for Todd Zeile, who had food poisioning) who had moved to second to replace Mark McLemore (who had moved to right to replace Roberto Kelly who was pinch hit for by Raffy) drove in two runs with a double.  Shave doesn't get to play much, it was really nice to see him get into the fray here.

That wasn't all.  In the 9th, Tom Goodwin singled, and Pudge hit yet ANOTHER home run, a two run shot.  That gave him 2 for the game.  We had a total of 5 home runs this game.  Two by Pudge, and one each by Raffy, Royce, & Mac.   What a game.  I didn't expect to do well here, and we blow them out 13-5.  I felt bad for Helling, other than the one meltdown inning, we had great pitching tonight.  That's 23 runs we scored in the last two games.  Let's hope we can keep this up for the next few (at least).

-- Joe Siegler

Game Recap

CLEVELAND (TICKER) -- Ivan Rodriguez and the Texas Rangers sent a message to the Cleveland Indians.

Rodriguez had his second straight two-homer game and pinch-hitter Rafael Palmeiro's three-run blast keyed a five-run seventh inning as the Rangers rallied past the Indians, 13-5, in a possible postseason preview.

"It's a big series because we struggled in Chicago and we are trying to turn it around," Palmeiro said. "We're not worried about Cleveland, we're worried about our own division. Oakland is playing really well."

Rodriguez also homered twice in Sunday's 10-0 rout of the Chicago White Sox. Tonight, he went 4-for-6 with a solo shot in the first inning and a two-run homer in the ninth.

"We've got a couple of guys, especially Pudge Rodriguez, who are swinging the bat really well," Texas manager Johnny Oates said. "He's really in a good groove."

In between, the Rangers got hits from nine different players and five scoreless innings from their vaunted bullpen. They have won two in a row after losing four straight.

"That's the way we've got to play the rest of the year. Hopefully, we won't kill the bullpen," Oates said. "I do not hesitate to go to those guys. That's one of our strengths."

Cleveland relievers surrendered eight runs in three innings to spoil the return of Carlos Baerga. The popular infielder, who played for the Indians from 1990-96, was re-acquired this afternoon from San Diego. He started at third base and went 2-for-4, but Cleveland had a six-game winning streak stopped.

The Indians took a 5-3 lead into the seventh, but Mark McLemore led off against starter Dave Burba with his fifth home run. Rodriguez followed with a single before Ricky Rincon relieved and struck out Rusty Greer.

Singles by Juan Gonzalez and Lee Stevens forged a 5-5 tie and brought on Steve Reed. Palmeiro batted for Roberto Kelly and homered for the second time in as many career at-bats against Reed, putting Texas in front for good, 8-5.

"I went back to see if I could swing the bat, but I got word that I was on deck and I wasn't even loose," Palmeiro said. "I was looking for a pitch that was up so I could hit a fly ball with a runner on third base. I think the pitch was a slider."

Asked about Palmeiro's success against him, Reed said, "It's just one of those coincidences that you can't explain."

"I think we had the right people out there. I thought we had the matchups that we wanted. It just didn't happen for us tonight," added Indians manager Mike Hargrove.

While Jeff Zimmerman breezed through the bottom of the seventh, Indians relievers continued to struggle. Paul Assenmacher came on to start the eighth and surrendered a one-out single to Rodriguez, who recorded his 21st stolen base.

After Greer struck out, Juan Gonzalez was intentionally walked, but Stevens foiled the strategy with an RBI single. Jon Shave had a two-run double to cap the scoring.

Rodriguez's two-run shot in the ninth off rookie David Riske completed his fifth two-homer game this season and ninth career. He started the scoring in the first with a solo shot, and an error by Baerga in the third gave Texas a 2-0 lead.

"I'm not looking for the home run. I am trying to make good contact, but right now I'm driving the ball," Rodriguez said. "I feel hefty. I want to stay right there. I feel a little tired but that's because we've played so many games."

Rangers starter Rick Helling ran into trouble in the third, allowing an RBI single to Roberto Alomar and a sacrifice fly to Manny Ramirez before Richie Sexson's bases-loaded double put the Indians in front, 5-2.

Royce Clayton started Texas' comeback one inning later with his sixth homer.

Recap #2

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Rafael Palmeiro, making a rare pinch-hitting appearance, hit a three-run homer and Ivan Rodriguez homered twice Monday night as the Texas Rangers snapped Cleveland's six-game winning streak with a 13-5 win over the Indians.

Palmeiro, pinch-hitting for the second time this season, connected for his 31st homer in Texas' five-run seventh inning as the Rangers rallied to beat the Indians in a possible postseason preview between division leaders.

Royce Clayton and Mark McLemore also homered for the Rangers, who posted their 34th come-from-behind victory. Rodriguez hit a solo homer in the first and connected for a two-run shot, his 28th, in the ninth.

Mike Munoz (2-1) got the win in relief. Texas' bullpen shut out the Indians over the final five innings and have given up just two runs in their last 24.

Richie Sexson had three RBI for Cleveland.

Carlos Baerga contributed two singles and brought some energy to bored Cleveland fans, but the Indians' bullpen couldn't hold a one-run lead for starter Dave Burba.

Baerga, a three-time All-Star second baseman with the Indians from 1990-96, was reacquired on Monday from San Diego to provide veteran experience and exuberance to a team counting down the days until the real season starts in October.

Starting at third base and batting eighth, Baerga, received a standing ovation from the Jacobs Field fans -- some of the same ones who hated to see him traded away in 1996 -- when he came to bat in the third.

He struck out looking and made an error that led to a Texas run in the third as the Rangers took a 2-0 lead. But after singling to center in the sixth, Baerga pointed to the sky as he got another lengthy salute. He singled again the eighth.

Trailing 5-3 in the seventh, McLemore hit his fifth homer of the season and Burba was gone after allowing a single to Rodriguez. Ricardo Rincon (2-3) struck out Rusty Greer, but gave up singles to Juan Gonzalez and Lee Stevens that tied it 5-5.

Steve Reed came on and Palmerio, batting for Roberto Kelly, drove a 2-1 pitch over the wall in right-center. Palmeiro has faced Reed twice, and has a three-run homer both times. It was Texas' first pinch-hit homer this year and the third of Palmeiro's career.

Sexson capped a five-run third inning with a three-run double to the gap in right-center off Texas starter Rick Helling, giving the Indians a 5-2 lead.

Clayton's sixth homer with two outs in the sixth brought Texas within 5-3.

GAME NOTES: Pop singer Sheryl Crow, in town with Lilith Fair, watched the game from a broadcast booth. ... Palmerio was kept out of the starting lineup with a sore right knee. ... Baerga's last start at third for the Indians came on July 24, 1991. ... Injured Cleveland 3B Travis Fryman took BP before the game for the first time since going on the disabled list July 4 with an injured knee. Fryman could begin a minor league rehab assignment on Aug. 23 if he doesn't have any setbacks. ... Texas' 85 steals are two more than its '98 season total. ... Sexson has had a knack for big hits this season with 37 of his 87 going for extra bases.

Photos
(Click on any of them for a larger image)

Carlos Baerga, acquired by the Indians only a couple of hours before the game played tonight	Pudge gets congrats for his 1st inning home run	Dave Burba tries to throw out Lee Stevens on a (weakly) hit ball	Richie Sexon hits a three run double in the 3rd	Mighty Raffy gets a pinch hit 3 run home run

Royce Clayton turns one of the 3 double plays the Rangers turned tonight	Carlos Baerga gets a single in the 8th	Juan is safe sliding into third	Umpire Rich Garcia talks with Pudge

Box Score

Line Score
AL  FINAL
                    1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9     R  H  E
                    -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -     -  -  -
TEXAS               1  0  1   0  0  1   5  3  2    13 16  0
CLEVELAND           0  0  5   0  0  0   0  0  0     5 10  2   (FINAL)

BATTERIES:  TEX - RICK HELLING, MIKE MUNOZ (5TH), JEFF ZIMMERMAN
                  (7TH), MIKE VENAFRO (9TH) AND IVAN RODRIGUEZ
            CLE - DAVE BURBA, RICARDO RINCON (7TH), STEVE REED
                  (7TH), PAUL ASSENMACHER (8TH), DAVID RISKE
                  (9TH) AND EINAR DIAZ

             WP - MIKE MUNOZ (2-1)
             LP - RICARDO RINCON (2-3)
           SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS:  TEX - IVAN RODRIGUEZ (27) OFF BURBA IN THE 1ST, 0 ON
                  ROYCE CLAYTON (6) OFF BURBA IN THE 6TH, 0 ON
                  MARK MCLEMORE (5) OFF BURBA IN THE 7TH, 0 ON
                  RAFAEL PALMEIRO (31) OFF REED IN THE 7TH, 2 ON
                  IVAN RODRIGUEZ (28) OFF RISKE IN THE 9TH, 1 ON
            CLE - NONE

     TIME:  3:10     ATT:  43,226

PROBABLES:  TEX - AARON SELE (12-7, 5.21)
            CLE - MARK LANGSTON (1-1, 4.61)



Box Score
TEXAS (13) AT CLEVELAND (5) - FINAL

TEXAS                  ab  r  h rbi bb so lob   avg
Mclemore 2b-rf          6  1  1  1   0  1   2  .282
I Rodriguez c           6  4  4  3   0  1   1  .331
Greer lf                4  1  0  0   2  2   2  .286
J Gonzalez dh           5  2  3  0   1  0   1  .307
L Stevens 1b            5  2  3  2   0  2   1  .282
R Kelly rf              3  0  0  0   0  1   3  .313
 a-R Palmeiro ph        1  1  1  3   0  0   0  .335
 Shave 3b               1  0  1  2   0  0   0  .242
Alicea 3b-2b            5  0  1  0   0  0   4  .182
Clayton ss              5  1  1  1   0  1   2  .265
T Goodwin cf            4  1  1  0   1  0   2  .234

Totals                 45 13 16 12   4  8  18

a-homered for R Kelly in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - J Gonzalez (21, Burba); Shave (3, Assenmacher). HR
- I Rodriguez 2 (28, 1st inning off Burba 0 on, 1 out, 9th
inning off Riske 1 on, 2 out); Clayton (6, 6th inning off Burba
0 on, 2 out); Mclemore (5, 7th inning off Burba 0 on, 0 out); R
Palmeiro (31, 7th inning off Reed 2 on, 1 out). RBI - I
Rodriguez 3 (85), Clayton (28), Mclemore (34), L Stevens 2 (67),
R Palmeiro 3 (103), Shave 2 (9). 2-out RBI - Clayton, L Stevens,
Shave 2, I Rodriguez 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out
- L Stevens 1, Alicea 3.  Team LOB - 9.

BASERUNNING: SB - I Rodriguez (21, 2nd base off Assenmacher/E
Diaz).

FIELDING: DP: 3 (Mclemore-Clayton-L Stevens, Shave-L Stevens,
Clayton-Alicea-L Stevens).

CLEVELAND              ab  r  h rbi bb so lob   avg
Roberts cf              5  1  2  0   0  0   0  .343
Vizquel ss              4  1  1  0   1  0   2  .341
R Alomar 2b             4  1  2  1   1  0   1  .326
M Ramirez rf            2  0  1  1   1  0   1  .326
Justice dh              4  1  1  0   0  0   3  .298
Thome 1b                2  1  0  0   2  1   1  .283
Sexson lf               4  0  1  3   0  0   1  .251
Baerga 3b               4  0  2  0   0  1   1  .500
E Diaz c                4  0  0  0   0  0   3  .264

Totals                 33  5 10  5   5  2  13

BATTING: 2B - Sexson (11, Helling). SF - M Ramirez. RBI - R
Alomar (91), M Ramirez (122), Sexson 3 (74). 2-out RBI - Sexson
3. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - Justice 1, Baerga
1, Thome 1, Vizquel 1. GIDP - Justice, E Diaz, R Alomar.  Team
LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - R Alomar (27, 2nd base off Helling/I
Rodriguez); Justice (1, 2nd base off Helling/I Rodriguez).

FIELDING: E - Baerga (1, bobble); Vizquel (12, throw).

TEXAS                        ip       h   r  er  bb  so  hr    era
Helling                       4       7   5   5   3   2   0   4.35
M Munoz (W, 2-1)              2       2   0   0   0   0   0   3.68
Je Zimmerman (H, 19)          2       1   0   0   1   0   0   1.26
Venafro                       1       0   0   0   1   0   0   2.67

CLEVELAND                    ip       h   r  er  bb  so  hr    era
Burba                         6       8   5   4   2   5   3   4.81
Rincon (L, 2-3; BS, 2)          1/3   2   2   2   0   1   0   5.46
Reed                            2/3   1   1   1   0   0   1   3.44
Assenmacher                   1       3   3   3   1   2   0   8.14
Riske                         1       2   2   2   1   0   1   9.00

Helling pitched to 2 batters in the 5th.
Burba pitched to 2 batters in the 7th.

IBB - J Gonzalez (by Assenmacher).  Pitches-strikes: Burba
93-58; Rincon 10-6; Reed 15-7; Assenmacher 20-12; Riske 14-8;
Helling 100-58; M Munoz 20-12; Je Zimmerman 29-18; Venafro 9-5.
Ground balls-fly balls: Burba 7-6; Rincon 0-0; Reed 1-1;
Assenmacher 1-0; Riske 2-1; Helling 3-7; M Munoz 4-2; Je
Zimmerman 3-3; Venafro 3-0.  Batters faced: Burba 29; Rincon 3;
Reed 4; Assenmacher 7; Riske 6; Helling 22; M Munoz 7; Je
Zimmerman 7; Venafro 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Jim Reynolds. 1B--Brian Onora. 2B--Laz Diaz.
3B--Rich Garcia.
T--3:10.  Att--43,226.   Weather: 78 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 3 mph, out to center.


AL       TEXAS AT CLEVELAND
         NOTE:  CLEVELAND'S OMAR VIZQUEL SINGLED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE
                THIRD INNING TO EXTEND HIS HITTING STREAK TO 10 GAMES.

Game Log

Texas Starting Lineups -- Mark Mclemore 2B, Ivan Rodriguez C, Rusty Greer LF, Juan Gonzalez DH, Lee Stevens 1B, Roberto Kelly RF, Luis Alicea 3B, Royce Clayton SS, Tom Goodwin CF, Rick Helling RHP.

Cleveland Starting Lineups -- Dave Roberts CF, Omar Vizquel SS, Roberto Alomar 2B, Manny Ramirez RF, David Justice DH, Jim Thome 1B, Richie Sexson LF, Carlos Baerga 3B, Einar Diaz C, Dave Burba RHP.

Umpires -- Reynolds (HP), Onora (1B), Diaz (2B), Garcia (3B).

Gametime Weather: 78 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind out to center at 3 mph.

TEXAS 1ST: Mclemore grounded out to second. I Rodriguez homered to right. Greer flied out to center. J Gonzalez doubled to left. L Stevens struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 1ST: Roberts grounded out to first. Vizquel flied out to right. R Alomar walked. R Alomar stole second. M Ramirez walked. Justice grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, CLEVELAND 0.

TEXAS 2ND: R Kelly struck out swinging. Alicea singled to right. Clayton struck out swinging. T Goodwin flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 2ND: Thome struck out swinging. Sexson flied out to deep right. Baerga struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, CLEVELAND 0.

TEXAS 3RD: Mclemore grounded out to second. I Rodriguez grounded out to third. Greer walked. J Gonzalez singled to right, Greer to second. L Stevens reached on infield single, Greer to third, J Gonzalez to second. R Kelly safe at first on 3rd baseman Baerga's fielding error, Greer scored, J Gonzalez to third, L Stevens to second. Alicea flied out to right center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 2, CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 3RD: E Diaz flied out to center. Roberts singled to right. Vizquel singled to right, Roberts to second.NOTE: CLEVELAND'S OMAR VIZQUEL SINGLED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE THIRD INNING TO EXTEND HIS HITTING STREAK TO 10 GAMES. R Alomar singled to right, Roberts scored, Vizquel to third. M Ramirez hit sacrifice fly to center, Vizquel scored. Justice singled to center, R Alomar to third. Justice stole second. Thome walked. Sexson doubled to right center, R Alomar, Justice and Thome scored. Baerga flied out to right. (5 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, CLEVELAND 5.

TEXAS 4TH: Clayton grounded out to pitcher. T Goodwin walked. Mclemore grounded into fielder's choice to second, T Goodwin out at second. I Rodriguez struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, CLEVELAND 5.

CLEVELAND 4TH: E Diaz popped out to third. Roberts fouled out to first. Vizquel grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, CLEVELAND 5.

TEXAS 5TH: Greer grounded out to first. J Gonzalez lined out to second. L Stevens struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, CLEVELAND 5.

CLEVELAND 5TH: R Alomar singled to center. M Ramirez singled to center, R Alomar to second. Mike Munoz relieved Rick Helling. Justice grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, M Ramirez out at second, R Alomar to third. Thome grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, CLEVELAND 5.

TEXAS 6TH: R Kelly fouled out to catcher. Alicea fouled out to left. Clayton homered to left. T Goodwin grounded out to second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, CLEVELAND 5.

CLEVELAND 6TH: Sexson grounded out to shortstop. Baerga singled to right center. E Diaz lined out to right. Roberts reached on infield single, Baerga to second. Vizquel flied out to center. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, CLEVELAND 5.

TEXAS 7TH: Mclemore homered to right. I Rodriguez singled to left. Ricardo Rincon relieved Dave Burba. Greer struck out swinging. J Gonzalez singled to left, I Rodriguez to second. L Stevens singled to center, I Rodriguez scored, J Gonzalez to third. Steve Reed relieved Ricardo Rincon. R Palmeiro hit for R Kelly. R Palmeiro homered to right, J Gonzalez and L Stevens scored. Alicea grounded out to first. Clayton safe at first on shortstop Vizquel's throwing error. T Goodwin lined out to first. (5 Runs, 5 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 8, CLEVELAND 5.

CLEVELAND 7TH: Jeff Zimmerman relieved Mike Munoz. Alicea at second. Mclemore in right. Shave at third. R Alomar flied out to left center. M Ramirez grounded out to third. Justice flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 8, CLEVELAND 5.

TEXAS 8TH: Paul Assenmacher relieved Steve Reed. Mclemore struck out swinging. I Rodriguez singled to right. I Rodriguez stole second. Greer struck out swinging. J Gonzalez intentionally walked. L Stevens singled to right, I Rodriguez scored, J Gonzalez to second. Shave doubled to deep left, J Gonzalez and L Stevens scored. Alicea grounded out to third. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 11, CLEVELAND 5.

CLEVELAND 8TH: Thome walked. Sexson flied out to right center. Baerga singled to left, Thome to second. E Diaz grounded into double play, third to first, Thome out at third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 11, CLEVELAND 5.

TEXAS 9TH: David Riske relieved Paul Assenmacher. Clayton grounded out to third. T Goodwin singled to center. Mclemore popped out to second. I Rodriguez homered to right center, T Goodwin scored. Greer walked. J Gonzalez grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Greer out at second. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 13, CLEVELAND 5.

CLEVELAND 9TH: Mike Venafro relieved Jeff Zimmerman. Roberts grounded out to shortstop. Vizquel walked. R Alomar grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Vizquel out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 13, CLEVELAND 5.