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Morse's walk-off single in the 10th caps Mariners' comeback

Sep 27, 2007 - 6:55 AM By Paul Lowenberg PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Mike Morse smacked a sharp grounder that found its way through the infield in the 10th inning as the Seattle Mariners posted a 3-2 comeback victory over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night to earn a split of their doubleheader.

Morse's hard-hit ball could not be handled by shortstop Jhonny Peralta, and Rob Johnson - who pinch-ran for Ben Broussard - trotted home with the winning run.

It was not the only shaky defensive play of the inning made by Cleveland. After Broussard walked, Jose Guillen hit a fly ball off the end of the bat that left fielder Jason Michaels misplayed. Michaels, who was playing deep, broke the wrong way on the ball and allowed what should have been a routine out fall in for a base hit.

After Adrian Beltre hit a deep fly to get Johnson to third base, Morse smacked a first-pitch offering from Indians reliever Aaron Fultz (4-3) that caromed off Peralta and into the outfield.

"We didn't play very well at all there at the end of the game," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "We didn't execute. We didn't execute in the infield. We didn't execute in the outfield. We didn't execute what we needed to do at home plate. We were in a position to win the ballgame, but it doesn't always work out that way."

J.J. Putz (5-1) picked up the win after pitching a scoreless 10th frame.

The Indians (94-64) fell into a tie with the Boston Red Sox (94-64) in their duel for the best record in the American League and home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Fausto Carmona went seven innings for his 19th victory and Luis Rivas contributed a homer, triple and two-run single as Cleveland took the opener, 12-4.

Rookie Jeff Clement blasted a pinch home run - the first of his career - off Indians closer Joe Borowski with two outs in the ninth inning to tie the game at 2-2.

"He threw me a 1-0 fastball and it was right there," Clement said. "That's what you're supposed to do with them, but a lot if times it doesn't happen that way. I was lucky enough to put a good swing on it and it went."

It was the second blown save in as many nights for Borowski.

"They say if you play this game long enough you're going to experience everything and this was the first time in my career (blowing back-to-back save opportunities)," Borowski said. "These things happen. I made my pitch. He got it. What are you going to do?"

Indians starter Jeremy Sowers and Jensen Lewis combined to pitch seven scoreless innings.

Sowers yielded five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in five frames. The lefthander pitched a five-hit shutout in a 1-0 triumph against the Mariners on July 28, 2006, and has a string of 14 scoreless innings against them.

"I found a little rhythm and I felt good out there, so I was very pleased," said Sowers, who spent most of June and July at Class AAA Buffalo and was making his first start since June 9.

Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn gave up just two hits in six innings, but both were home runs.

Ryan Garko hit his 21st shot of the season to lead off the second inning and Kelly Shoppach belted his seventh with two outs in the fifth.

Garko did not minimize the importance of letting a game the Indians might have won get away as they battle for the advantage of having the best record going into the playoffs.

"All three teams that we are looking at playing, they are tough places to go play in October," Garko said. "So, it's very important to us. Boston is not going to let up and the Angels are right there, too. Yeah, we definitely would like them to come to Cleveland."

In addition to his home run, which snapped an 0-for-15 streak, catcher Shoppach also contributed on defense when he threw out Ichiro Suzuki and Willie Bloomquist on steal attempts at third base in the first inning.

Suzuki scored on Guillen's sacrifice fly in the eighth to cut Seattle's deficit to 2-1.