Indians Understand the Order of the Day

Cleveland feels fortunate to have split the first two games of the American League division series with Seattle considering how poorly the top of the Indians’ order has fared.

Leadoff batter Kenny Lofton, No. 2 hitter Omar Vizquel and No. 3 batter Roberto Alomar have combined for three hits in 25 at-bats for a .120 average that has Manager Charlie Manuel concerned going into Game 3 today.

“Even the middle [of the lineup] isn’t hitting the ball good right now,” Manuel said. “But at the same time, we have guys who are veteran hitters, and they can bounce back. Baseball is a day-to-day thing. Just because that part of our lineup didn’t hit [Thursday] ... that’s baseball. They will hit. They have hit. Right now is the time for us to hit.”

Vizquel is two for eight with a walk, Alomar is one for nine, and Lofton has no hits and a walk in eight at-bats. Mariner leadoff batter Ichiro Suzuki is four for seven (.571) with a walk.

“We hope to get people on base and try to get some things going [today],” Vizquel said. “Otherwise, we’re going to be in trouble.”

*

If the Mariners and Indians split Games 3 and 4 in Cleveland, they will force a Game 5 Monday in Seattle and expose the absurdity of baseball’s first-round playoff schedule.

The teams played Game 1 in Seattle on Tuesday, were off Wednesday and played Game 2 in Seattle Thursday. The teams did not play Wednesday because of baseball’s television contract with Fox, which does not want to broadcast more than three playoff games in one day.

After Friday’s off-day, the Mariners and Indians play today and Sunday, but there will be no off-day between Games 4 and 5.

*

The Vizquel-Arthur Rhodes rematch didn’t produce much of an ear flap Thursday. When Vizquel last faced the Mariner reliever, on Aug. 25, Vizquel started a bench-clearing incident when he requested Rhodes remove his diamond-stud earrings, which Vizquel claimed were distracting.

When Vizquel came up against Rhodes in the eighth inning of Game 2, the Safeco Field roared in anticipation. But clouds covered the sun, and Vizquel made no repeat request before flying out.

Vizquel said afterward that it looked as if Rhodes’ earrings were smaller. Rhodes just wanted to forget the whole incident. “I would have taken them off if he asked,” the Mariner reliever said. “I did not want to make a big deal out of it.”

*

Piniella is leaning toward Game 1 starter Freddy Garcia instead of Paul Abbott for Game 4 Sunday. That means if the series goes five games, Seattle’s Jamie Moyer will oppose Cleveland’s Chuck Finley in Game 5 Monday, with both left-handers starting on three days rest.

“Now it’s down to the best two out of three, that’s all,” Piniella said. “It’s just a regular three-game series, and we did all right in those.”

Seattle went 36-6 in three-game series this season.

TODAY

MARINERS’ AARON SELE (15-5, 3.60 ERA) vs. INDIANS’ C.C. SABATHIA (17-5, 4.39 ERA)

Jacobs Field, 1:15 p.m.

TV--Channel 11 or Fox Family

Update--If not for Mariner right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, Sabathia, a 21-year-old left-hander, would be the AL rookie of the year. The 6-foot-7, 260-pounder has an outstanding fastball and an above-average curve, and he was arguably Cleveland’s best pitcher on a staff that includes hard-throwing Bartolo Colon and veteran Chuck Finley. Sabathia has not faced Seattle this season, and the Mariners have had some difficulties with pitchers they haven’t seen before. Sele, the Seattle right-hander, is looking for his first playoff win in four starts.