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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
CLEVELAND (AP) – On Bartolo Colon's 116th pitch, he registered
an even more impressive three-digit number.
|  | | Jime Thome is tagged out at the plate by Ivan Rodriguez's backup, Doug Mirabelli. |
Colon hit 100 mph on the radar gun in the seventh inning and
dominated the AL's best-hitting team for eight, and Juan Gonzalez
and Marty Cordova each had three RBI Sunday to lead the Cleveland
Indians to a 9-2 win over the Texas Rangers.
"There's really no secrets about him," Indians catcher Eddie
Taubensee said of Colon. "He's going to come right at you. When
the ball is moving at 96 or 97 mph, it's hard to get a gauge on."
Not to mention a bat.
Colon (3-2) allowed five hits and threw 132 pitches to win at
home for the first time in four starts. He didn't give up an earned
run until the seventh and struck out a season-high 10 against a
Texas team comfortably leading the league in average, hits,
doubles, runs and RBI.
"He sustained his velocity into the late innings," Texas
manager Johnny Oates said. "He was throwing like 98 in the
seventh. That's good stuff."
The only time Colon was in real trouble came in the seventh when
he walked Chad Curtis with two outs and gave up an RBI single to
Gabe Kapler. With two Indians relievers warming up, Colon walked
Doug Mirabelli, who had struck out in his two previous at-bats.
That's when Colon decided enough was enough.
Rusty Greer didn't come close to touching the 100 mph heater for
strike two. Then, after striking Greer out on a 99 mph four-seam
fastball, Colon spun off the mound and pumped his fist.
Colon explained that he celebrated because he thought Greer was
his final batter. But Indians manager Charlie Manuel sent him out
there for the eighth even though Colon's pitch count already was at
118.
"He wanted to stay in the game," Manuel said.
Colon, though, said he went in for another inning to face Texas'
2-3-4 hitters when Manuel asked.
"They asked me go back and I told them I had some pitches
left," Colon said. "I wish I could have finished."
Gonzalez, among the league leaders in eight offensive
categories, went 3-for-4 and has 20 RBI in his last 17 games.
Cordova hit a three-run homer in the fifth when the Indians
scored four runs and chased starter Doug Davis (2-2).
Signed to a minor league contract in December, Cordova made
Cleveland's roster after batting .442 during spring training. He
has made the most of his playing time, hitting .405 (17-for-42)
with four homers and 12 RBI in 11 starts.
"It's fine with me if he's going to hit .400," Manuel said.
"It's OK if he hits .450, too."
Rangers All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez missed his second
straight game with a bruised left heel. Rodriguez jammed his heel
while running out a grounder in the ninth inning Friday night.
After tying a club record by hitting a homer in their 14th
straight game on Saturday, the Rangers only came close to going
deep off Colon on Kapler's double in the third.
Other than that, the Rangers were overpowered by the
right-hander who had his sharpest performance of the early season.
"Anytime he steps out there, he's a guy who can dominate a
game," Taubensee said.
Gonzalez, making his first start at DH, doubled in a run in the
fifth off R.A. Dickey, and Cordova followed with his fourth homer,
a three-run shot to right-center.
The Indians used four singles and two walks in the third to
score four runs off Davis, who needed 41 pitches to get out of the
inning.
With one out and the bases loaded, Omar Vizquel, who came in
batting just .097 against left-handers and .125 with runners in
scoring position, hit an RBI single. Davis then walked Roberto
Alomar to force in a run before Gonzalez's two-run single made it
4-0.
"I didn't have my control," Davis said. "Against a powerful
lineup like this, they're going to take advantage."
Game notes
The Rangers had only two extra-base hits after getting 34
in their previous seven games. ... Cleveland Browns coach Butch
Davis attended the game. ... Indians RHP Jaret Wright threw in the
bullpen and will report to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday as he
continues his comeback from shoulder surgery. "It was tough,"
said Wright, who had been in Florida at extended spring training.
"This is where you want to be." ... Mirabelli struck out twice
and has fanned in 11 of 17 at-bats this season. ... Indians 2B
Roberto Alomar was ejected in the eighth by plate umpire Paul
Schrieber after arguing a called third strike.
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RECAPS
Kansas City 11
Boston 8
Cleveland 9
Texas 2
Detroit 6
Tampa Bay 1
NY Yankees 3
Oakland 1
Toronto 2
Anaheim 0
Chi. White Sox 2
Seattle 1
Minnesota 4
Baltimore 0
Milwaukee 10
Montreal 0
St. Louis 12
NY Mets 1
Florida 11
Houston 5
Colorado 14
Cincinnati 7
Chicago Cubs 11
San Francisco 2
Los Angeles 4
Philadelphia 1
San Diego 6
Pittsburgh 1
Arizona 7
Atlanta 5
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