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Lake County Sentinel
Indians hang on to earn first win of 2018, beating Seattle 6-5
       BY TIM SHIRER
INDIANS BEAT WRITER
Saturday was game 2 of 162 for the Cleveland Indians. It was also game two of their three game series against the Seattle Mariners in Seattle, Washington at Safeco Field. Game one did not go as planned as the Indians left their bats in Goodyear, only scoring one run in the 2-1 loss. Game two was a different story as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead, eventually winning the game 6-5.

The Tribe jumped on Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton early in the first inning. After Francisco Lindor lined out to third base to begin the game, Jason Kipnis doubled to right center field. Jose Ramirez then popped out to Mariners first baseman Ryon Healy for the second out of the inning. Paxton then issued two straight base on balls to Edwin Encarnacion and Rajai Davis to load the bases. Then after a first pitch ball Yonder Alonso blasted a Paxton 95 mph fast ball over the right field fence for a grand slam, giving the Indians an early 4-0. Brandon Guyer then grounded out to end the inning.

The Mariners came right back as they scored their first run in the second inning after Indians starter Carlos Carrasco. Then Mariners then added two more in the third inning when Carrasco allowed four straight singles.

The Indians increased their lead by two runs to 6-3 in the fourth inning when Alonso led the inning off by drawing a walk. After Guyer flew out to center field Yan Gomes blasted a 2-2 fastball from Paxton over the center field fence to put the Indians up by three runs.

The Mariners would not go away as they rallied and knocked Carrasco out of the game in the sixth inning after he allowed a two-run home run to Nelson Cruz. The home run was Cruz's second of the season. He hit a two-run shot in the first inning in the opener on Thursday night in the first inning that accounted for all the Mariners runs. Zach McAllister came in to relieve Carrasco and recorded the final out of the inning. McAllister then got the first two outs of the seventh inning without allowing a base runner before giving way to Andrew Miller. Miller gave up two singles after entering the game, before striking out Jean Segura to end the seventh inning. Miller gave up a double to Robinson Cano to start the eighth inning and put the tying run in scoring position. He then got Guillermo Heredia to fly out to left field, then struck out Kyle Seager for the second out. The Indians then chose to intentionally walk Mitch Haniger, who has been swinging a hot bat. Miller finally ended the inning by striking out Healy to preserve the 6-5 Tribe lead.

Tribe closer Cody Allen came in for the first time in 2018 to close out the game and record the save on 10 pitches. The inning including a strike of Dan Vogelbach to start the frame.

With the win the Indians improve to 1-1. They will finish the series tomorrow at 4:10 p.m. EDT when Trevor Bauer will make his first start of the year for the Indians. Mike Leake will make the start for the Mariners. Both pitchers are right handed.
tshirer@lakecountysentinel.conigriday m or follow Tim on Twitter @IndiansTim Check out our IndiansNation fan Page
​POSTED 03/31/2018 19:29