Encore Performance for Indians’ Vizquel

Omar Vizquel put on an awesome fielding show, twice robbing Jose Canseco of hits and adding two more highlight-reel efforts that helped the Cleveland Indians defeat the Oakland Athletics, 4-2, Sunday.

Vizquel’s play earned him a standing ovation from the crowd of 42,885--the 181st consecutive sellout at Jacobs Field.

“That’s what I’m here for,” said Vizquel, Cleveland’s flashy, four-time Gold Glove- winning shortstop. “I’m in the big leagues mostly for my defense.”

Vizquel rescued Jason Jacome (2-0) from a fourth-inning jam by snaring Canseco’s sizzling grounder on one knee, starting a 6-4-3 double play. In the fifth, he dived to his left to grab a sharp grounder by Scott Spiezio, then jumped up to throw him out.

In the seventh, Canseco smacked a hard liner that Vizquel snared while diving to his right. Then Vizquel ranged up the middle, scooped up a grounder by pinch-hitter Matt Stairs and did a 360-degree spin before throwing him out. Vizquel watched the replay on the scoreboard as the crowd cheered.

Vizquel proved he is back from off-season surgery on his throwing shoulder.

Jacome, acquired on outright waivers from Kansas City on May 8, gave up two runs and four hits in five innings, walking one and striking out two.

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WHO: Cleveland Indians

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