Candiotti, Langston Step Back Into Spotlight

Jim Thome turned on one pitch, and Tom Candiotti and Mark Langston turned back the clock Saturday.

Hours after the Cleveland Indians overcame an eight-run deficit to win the opener, 9-8, Thome hit the longest home run in Jacobs Field history to help Langston beat the Kansas City Royals, 9-5, in the second game of a day-night doubleheader.

In the opener, Candiotti pitched 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and David Justice hit a go-ahead homer.

Thome connected on a three-and-one pitch from Don Wengert, sending the ball an estimated 511 feet to center field to start an eight-run second inning in the night game.

Thome’s 12th homer bounced through a gate and out of the ballpark, sending fans scurrying down Eagle Avenue for the souvenir.

Langston (1-0) won his first start after 15 relief appearances this season.

He gave up four runs and six hits in seven innings, striking out six and walking three.

“This team has got everything I’ve ever seen,” Langston said. “As a starting pitcher, you know that if you throw strikes and keep the game close, you have a chance to win.”

Candiotti (4-5), signed June 29 after Oakland released him, retired 17 of 19 batters. He struck out four and walked none in his first relief outing since June 20, 1997.

Candiotti, 41, got his first victory for Cleveland since June 2, 1991. He spent 5 1/2 years with the Indians before being traded in the midst of a 1991 season in which Cleveland went 57-105.

“It was a real emotional day to come back here and contribute,” Candiotti said. “I can’t describe how happy I am to be back with this team.”