Mariners Win This Wild One

Cleveland Manager Charlie Manuel went to the hospital before the game with stomach pain and the Seattle Mariners edged the Indians, 3-2, on John Rocker’s throwing error in the 11th inning Saturday at Safeco Field.

The wild ending came two innings after an even stranger event: Mariner reliever Arthur Rhodes became upset after being told to take off his earrings, sparking a bench-clearing incident.

Rocker (3-6) issued a leadoff walk to John Olerud, and pinch-runner Al Martin moved to second on Mike Cameron’s infield single.

David Bell then bunted back to Rocker, who fielded the sacrifice but threw the ball low past second baseman Roberto Alomar, who was covering first.

John Halama (9-6) got the victory, going 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Indians lost starter Chuck Finley after two innings because of a strained right rib cage and right fielder Juan Gonzalez left in the fifth with a strained left hamstring.

In the ninth, Rhodes was ejected by third-base umpire Tim McClelland. Rhodes, who had not yet thrown a pitch, started yelling at Omar Vizquel, who complained that the bright sunlight was reflecting off the reliever’s right earring.

Both benches emptied and Rhodes had to be restrained by Manager Lou Piniella from going after Vizquel.

Rhodes had relieved Kazuhiro Sasaki, who was taken out in the ninth because of soreness in his right thigh.

Freddy Garcia pitched eight innings, giving up two runs on six hits.