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Indians rally past Mariners in extras

May 17, 2012 - 11:21 PM Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Carlos Santana singled home the winning run in bottom of the 11th inning, and the Cleveland Indians rallied past the Seattle Mariners, 6-5, in the finale of a two-game set at Progressive Field.

The Mariners had broken a 4-4 tie in the top of the 11th against Joe Smith (4-1) when Michael Saunders doubled home Dustin Ackley.

But Brandon League's (0-3) poor control sparked a another comeback for the Indians, who had erased a 4-1 deficit on Jose Lopez's two-out, three-run homer in the eighth.

League walked two of the first three batters he faced, and an Asdrubal Cabrera single plated Lopez with the tying run. After League walked pinch-hitter Aaron Cunningham to load the bases, Santana won the game with a base hit to center field.

"My control was just absolutely unacceptable today," said League. "I don't remember the last time I walked three guys in 1/3 of an inning."

Zach McAllister gave up four runs -- three earned -- on three hits and five walks in a 5 2/3-inning start for Cleveland, which matched a season high with its fourth straight win.

"We just battled and came back there and were able to get the win," remarked Cleveland slugger Travis Hafner. "It was a huge win for us."

Hector Noesi was in line for the win before Steve Delabar served up the home run to Lopez. Noesi, who entered Thursday's contest with a 8.27 road ERA, limited the Indians to a run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings.

The Mariners have lost 12 of 13 away from Safeco Field.

Seattle scored its first two runs without the benefit of a hit. Brendan Ryan and Ackley drew consecutive one-out walks in the third and Ryan scored on a Saunders groundout after a double steal.

In the fifth, the Mariners loaded the bases on two walks and an error, and a passed ball forced in a run.

Seattle went up 4-0 in the sixth when John Jaso doubled in a run and scored on a Ryan single.

The Indians got on the board in the seventh after Lucas Luetge replaced Noesi with a runner on first. Luetge issued a two-out walk to Jason Kipnis before Cabrera slapped a run-scoring single to left.

Delabar walked Santana to begin the eighth, but after the next two batters were retired, Casey Kotchman doubled and Lopez, a former Mariner, crushed a 2-0 pitch to left field.

Game Notes

League blew his third save of the season, and second against the Indians (April 19)...Ackley singled to lead off the game, extending his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games...The Mariners were 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position.