BULLPEN RUINS PLAN; ASSENMACHER LETS HARGROVE DOWN IN 9TH.

Byline: Associated Press 

It seemed like an innocent enough decision. It might be remembered as a costly one.

Cleveland Indians manager Mike Hargrove decided to take Chad Ogea out after eight innings of six-hit ball, turning to his usually reliable bullpen in the ninth with Baltimore leading 2-0.

Reliable wasn't the word for the bullpen Monday night.

Paul Assenmacher, who had allowed just five earned runs since June 16, gave up two runs that turned out to be the difference in the game.

After the Orioles made it 4-0 in the top of the ninth, Cleveland tried to conjure up its magic yet again, scoring two runs off Randy Myers in the bottom of the inning that could have tied the game and set up yet another dramatic finish.

Instead, the Indians lost 4-2 and go back to Baltimore. Their fans went home without a pennant celebration.

``You can't criticize him,'' Mike Jackson said of Assenmacher, who gave up a homer to Eric Davis and RBI single by Cal Ripken. ``You can't be perfect every time. They got us tonight.''

Even in retrospect, it is difficult to second-guess Hargrove. It was the first time in the series the bullpen betrayed him. Indians relievers came in with a 3-0 record and 1.65 ERA, but Assenmacher gave up a homer to Davis, a double to Rafael Palmeiro, an RBI single to Ripken and a single to B.J Surhoff before the right-handed Jackson relieved.

Even though Ogea limited the Orioles to two runs in eight innings, it made sense to bring in the left-handed Assenmacher with three of the next four batters due up being left-handed. Davis, a right-handed hitter, pinch-hit for Harold Baines.

``You had Baines, Rafael Palmeiro, Ripken and B.J. Surhoff coming up, and Paul has been golden for us,'' Hargrove said. ``We thought it was our best chance to keep the score where it was. It just didn't happen tonight. Those things happen.''

Despite having their aura of invincibility damaged, the Indians are not in panic mode before heading back to Baltimore.

``It's going to be tough,'' said Omar Vizquel, who made the last out with runners at second and third when second baseman Roberto Alomar made a diving stop on a grounder and threw him out. ``I think we need to play the whole game and not save it for late like we've been doing.''

If Cleveland is to clinch its second AL championship in three years, the Indians will have to do it on the road - just like the last time. The Indians beat Randy Johnson and the Seattle Mariners in Game 6 of the 1995 ALCS in the Kingdome to clinch their first AL pennant since 1954.

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Photo

PHOTO (color) Indians starter Chad Ogea was taken out after eight innings, a move that backfired on manager Mike Hargrove.

Associated Press