FOR CLEVELAND, BETTER TO PARTY LATE THAN NEVER : CLEVELAND 8, ANGELS 5.Byline: Ken Berger Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. Finally, Cleveland got to have the celebration it's been waiting for since October. Jim Thome James Howard "Jim" Thome (born August 27, 1970 in Peoria, Illinois) is a Major League Baseball player who currently plays for the Chicago White Sox. His last name is pronounced TOH-me. hit a three-run, game-winning homer in the 10th inning off Troy Percival Troy Eugene Percival (born August 9, 1969 in Fontana, California) is a Major League Baseball reliever on the St. Louis Cardinals. Percival came out of retirement on June 8, 2007 when he signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals[1]. as the Indians came back to win their home opener 8-5 over the Angels on Friday. Kenny Lofton Kenneth Lofton (born May 31, 1967 in East Chicago, Indiana) is a Major League Baseball outfielder. He bats and throws left-handed. He currently plays left field for the Cleveland Indians, with whom he has spent 10 seasons during three separate stints. , away in Atlanta for a year, was welcomed back with several warm ovations. He was up to his old tricks right from the start, scoring the first run of the game after doubling and stealing third. ``I was just missing the atmosphere around here,'' Lofton said. ``The stadium, the cheers, the players. It's something else.'' After the Indians blew leads of 4-1 and 5-4, Thome ended the four-hour game with a line-drive homer, his first, into the frenzied masses of the standing-room-only patio in left. The crowd of 42,707 - Cleveland's 212th consecutive sellout - got to party the way they've wanted to since the Indians lost Game 7 of the World Series. There was no sign that the disappointment in Miami had carried over to this season, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Indians' last World Series title in 1948. ``If you're a baseball player right now in the '90s, there's no better place to be than Cleveland,'' said Thome, flushed with excitement like a Little Leaguer. ``And I'm the hero. I mean, pinch me. I don't even know if I'm here.'' It wouldn't be baseball season in Cleveland without comebacks - and game-winning homers against Percival. The Angels' closer dropped to 0-4 lifetime against the Indians, allowing 13 earned runs in 16 innings. ``He's a great closer,'' Thome said. ``He's going to succeed way more than he's going to fail.'' Not against the Indians. Last April, he allowed homers to Brian Giles Brian Stephen Giles (born January 21, 1971, in El Cajon, California) is a Major League Baseball right fielder who plays for the San Diego Padres (2003–present). Giles (pronounced JYLES) attended Granite Hills High School and did not attend college, but played with the and Sandy Alomar Sandy Alomar can refer to different people:
The Indians raised their second AL pennant in three years and received their championship rings from Cleveland Hall of Famer Larry Doby before the game. ``I want to be here next year when they get rings for the whole thing,'' Doby said. Eric Plunk (1-0) pitched a perfect 10th for the win after new closer Mike Jackson blew his first save in five chances in the ninth. Percival (0-1) allowed his first runs of the season. Percival allowed a one-out single to Manny Manny may refer to: In nobility:
CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Jim Thome is pounded by teammates after hitting the game-winning homer. Tony Dejak/Associated Press |
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