Griffey’s 26th Not Nearly Enough

CLEVELAND — Opposing teams have a hard enough time stopping the Cleveland offense, averaging 6.7 runs per game before Saturday. Add two Seattle errors and a wild pitch that led to five unearned runs, and the Mariners didn’t have much of a chance against the Indians.

Dave Burba pitched seven solid innings and Cleveland hit four home runs for a 10-6 victory over the Mariners.

Roberto Alomar and Manny Ramirez hit back-to-back homers in a five-run fourth, and David Justice and Jacob Cruz added two-run homers for the Indians.

Cleveland, which has won seven of eight, scored in double digits for the 13th time this season.

Seatle’s highlight came when Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 26th homer in the seventh off Burba, who had a brief exchange with Griffey after the third inning.

“It was something I felt was going on,” Burba (7-2) said. “We talked about it and that’s all that I’m going to say about that.”

Asked if he thought the Mariners were stealing signs, Burba repeated: “That’s all I’m going to say about that.”

After he struck out David Segui for the final out in the third, Burba crossed paths with Griffey near third base and the two spoke for a few seconds. Burba seemed satisfied with Griffey’s responses and went back to the Cleveland dugout.

Griffey, in a hurry after the game to get to a family reunion, didn’t address the situation either. He was complimentary of Burba, though.

“He’s a competitor, gives you everything he has,” Griffey said. “Against him, you might get one good pitch to hit and you better do it or go sit down and wait until the next at-bat. He’s going to give you everything he’s got.”

Trailing, 10-5, in the ninth, Griffey and the Mariners still had hope when Seattle loaded the bases with none out off reliever Paul Shuey. Mike Jackson came in and got Alex Rodriguez to hit a hard smash that shortstop Omar Vizquel somehow snared to start a 6-4-3 double play. Jackson then struck out Griffey for his 14th save.