Indians Can Do Math, See That Time Is Running Out

With only four games left, it doesn’t take a degree in mathematics to break down the American League wild-card picture.

“It’s getting down there now where even I can count it up and figure it out,” Indian Manager Charlie Manuel said. “What’s that tell ya?”

That time’s running out on the Indians.

Jason Bere didn’t blow another seven-run lead and Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome homered as Cleveland kept pressure on Oakland in the wild-card race Wednesday night with an 8-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Bere (6-3) rebounded from a disastrous start in Boston last week when he gave back a 7-0 lead to the Red Sox, who rallied for a 9-8 victory.

That loss could keep the Indians awake at night this winter if they’re unable to catch the A’s, who beat the Angels to remain 1 1/2 games ahead of the Indians.

The Indians have four games left and the A’s four, plus a possible makeup against Tampa Bay on Monday, if necessary.

“Two down, four to go,” Manuel said.

Bill Selby, getting a rare start at DH, had two RBIs when the Indians broke it open with a five-run fourth off Brad Radke (12-16).

Thome, in one of the worst slumps of his career, homered for the first time since Sept. 5--a span of 83 at-bats.

Bere has either been very good or very bad in his 11 starts for the Indians since coming over in a July trade with Milwaukee. The right-hander allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

“We need to win at all costs and it starts with the starting pitcher,” Bere said. “I was able to put up some zeros in the first three innings and gave our guys a chance to swing the bats.”