Shoppach Stars As Indians Triumph, 7-6

Kelly Shoppach knows about waiting for a chance to play. The backup catcher and the rest of the Indians finally got back into action Tuesday night with a 7-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels in a Cleveland "home game" played in Milwaukee. Shoppach homered to get the offense in gear, then threw out a baserunner attempting to steal for the final out. The news was good in the Tribe farm system, too.

After being snowed out four consecutive days in Cleveland, the Indians moved their three-game series against the visiting Angels to Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers. They looked right at home while in a bit of irony, the Brewers' game in Miami against the Florida Marlins was delayed by rain.

"It was great for us to get out there and play," Indians manager Eric Wedge told reporters. "To win was good, too. I tip my cap to the Brewers organization. They took care of everything today.

"It was an unbelievable fan turnout, too. That's nothing short of outstanding. It was a different experience. There's nothing like playing at Jacobs Field in front of our fans. But the fans here were into the game. They were excited to be here. It was very unique."

The park's retractable roof will come in handy as eight to 10 inches of snow has been forecast.

The great majority of fans in the crowd of 19,031 cheered the Indians. John Adams, accompanied by wife Kathleen, sat in the stands and drummed up support for his team -- just as he has been doing in the bleachers in Cleveland for more than 30 years.

Shoppach, getting a rare start because of an injury to Victor Martinez, hit a two-run homer in the second inning to put Cleveland ahead.

Clinging to a one-run lead in the ninth, he gunned down pinch-runner Erick Aybar trying to steal second to end the game.

"Shop got us going early and obviously finished it off," Wedge said. "He got rid of it in a hurry. He had a fantastic night for us."

Martinez, who strained his left quadriceps Friday when the Indians attempted to play their home opener in sub-freezing temperatures and snow squalls, did not travel with the team. But it was a happy day for him anyway as his wife delivered the couple's second child, a girl, on Tuesday morning.

Despite not having pitched in eight days, Cleveland starter C.C. Sabathia (2-0) gave up three runs -- one earned -- and struck out seven over seven innings. The lefty allowed 10 hits.

"C.C. was real good," Wedge said. "For him to get through the seventh inning was big for us. After the long layoff, I was very happy with the way he threw the ball.

Casey Blake had two hits, including a solo home run, and Andy Marte drove in three runs with a pair of doubles. Grady Sizemore walked three times and got three stolen bases while Travis Hafner and David Dellucci each had two hits for Cleveland.

DOWN ON THE FARM
Indians left-hander Cliff Lee, sidelined since the first week of training camp with an abdominal strain, gave up one hit over two innings in a rehab start at Class A Kinston. He struck out four.

The K-Tribe defeated visiting Wilmington, 2-1. Lefty Ryan Edell allowed one run on three hits over five innings, fanning five, and Jeff Stevens (1-0) got the win by fanning three over two perfect innings.

Shortstop Josh Rodriguez hit a solo homer and second baseman Chris De La Cruz had two hits and scored Kinston's other run.

In Buffalo, the Bisons rallied to a 5-3 win over Ottawa. Third baseman Keith Ginter drove in three runs, second baseman Luis Rivas had two hits, a stolen base and scored twice, and outfielder Ben Francisco walked twice and stole two bases.

Hector Luna, playing second base, went 1-for-3 with a run and RBI, but also made three errors.

Starter Rafael Perez yielded three unearned runs over 5 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out four. Jason Beverlin walked the bases loaded in the seventh, but didn't allow any runs and got the win. Edward Mujica pitched a perfect ninth for his first save.

At Akron, right-hander J.D. Martin allowed two singles and three walks over five innings as the Aeros defeated Altoona, 9-0. Martin struck out two. Jake Dittler pitched two innings and Kyle Collins and Mariano Gomez worked an inning apiece to complete the shutout.

The Aeros scored eight runs on five hits, four walks and an error in the third inning.

Third baseman Pat Osborn and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera each had two hits, one run and one RBI. Jordan Brown went 1-for-4 with a run, two RBI and a stolen base.

The Lake County Captains couldn't complete an organizational sweep, however. They lost at Greensboro, 12-1. Catcher Matt McBride went 3-for-3, and left-fielder Lucas Montero and first baseman Matt Whitney each had two hits to lead the Captains' offense.

Whitney made two of Lake County's three errors, leading to six unearned runs.

Starter Mike Eisenberg gave up six runs (five earned) over two innings. Cody Bunkelman fanned four and allowed only one run over three innings, but Matt Mayer gave up five unearned runs on three hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning.