Thome Play a Rally Killer

With one lightning-quick flick of his glove, Cleveland first baseman Jim Thome turned Seattle’s best scoring chance into an inning-ending double play Tuesday, a critical defensive gem that helped the Indians defeat the Mariners, 5-0, in Game 1 of their American League division series.

After Cleveland took a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning, Seattle’s Edgar Martinez drew a one-out walk off Indian starter Bartolo Colon in the bottom of the fourth. Cleanup batter John Olerud, who struck out three times, ripped a one-hop smash to the right of Thome, who was playing behind Martinez at first.

The ball appeared headed for the right-field corner, a sure double that would have put runners at second and third, but Thome lunged to his right, made a backhand grab and hesitated for a moment.

“I think he was surprised he fielded it so quickly,” Indian third baseman Travis Fryman said.

Thome came to his senses and fired to shortstop Omar Vizquel, who tapped the second base bag and relayed his throw to first for a 3-6-3 double play.

“I thought it was a double, not because Jim wasn’t going to catch it but because it was hit so hard,” Vizquel said.

“That was a key play in the game, a huge play. It wouldn’t have been good if they scored right after we did.

“That changed the momentum of the game.”

Said Thome: “It was a reaction play. I barely even saw it. I was lucky it found my glove, because he hit it pretty good.”

*

Cleveland’s Charlie Manuel took a 1-0 lead over Seattle’s Lou Piniella Tuesday in the battle of managerial wits.

With Mariner speedster Ichiro Suzuki on first base, one out and a 1-and-1 count on Mark McLemore in the third inning of a scoreless game, Piniella gave Suzuki the steal sign.

Manuel called for a pitchout, and catcher Einar Diaz’s throw to second forced Suzuki to stop between first and second. Suzuki, who led the AL with 56 stolen bases, was eventually tagged out in a rundown.

Seattle wasn’t completely shut down on the basepaths, though.

Designated hitter Martinez, who has all of seven stolen bases in the past two seasons, swiped second in the sixth inning and took third when Diaz’s throw trickled into center field. Martinez was stranded when Olerud struck out on a 99-mph Colon fastball.

“Edgar was on his own there,” Piniella said with a chuckle. “If you would have told me we were going to steal one base today and Edgar would be the guy ... yeah, that was a good play.

“And hopefully it will make them hold Edgar on and create a hole for Olerud. If not, maybe Edgar can steal a couple more bases this series.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

SCHEDULE

Game 1: Cleveland 5, Seattle 0

Thursday: Cleveland (Chuck Finley, 8-7) at Seattle (Jamie Moyer, 20-6), 1:15 p.m., Fox Family.

Saturday: Seattle (Aaron Sele, 15-5) at Cleveland (C.C. Sabathia, 17-5), 1:15 p.m., Channel 11 or Fox Family.

Sunday: Seattle at Cleveland, 10 a.m., Channel 11 or Fox Family.*

Monday: Cleveland at Seattle, 1:15 p.m., Channel 11.*

*If necessary All times PDT