Finley Finding He’s a Perfect Fit for Indians

Chuck Finley hasn’t been Cleveland’s missing piece. Just the most important one.

Finley pitched a solid 7 2/3 innings to win his third consecutive start and Jacob Cruz made two nice catches in center field Saturday as the Indians defeated the Boston Red Sox, 3-2, at Cleveland.

Skeptics wondered why the Indians would risk signing the 37-year-old Finley to a $27-million, three-year contract. Cleveland figured the risk was worth it if the left-hander could bring them a World Series title.

And so far, Finley has been worth every penny.

“He has pitched his butt off,” Indian Manager Charlie Manuel said. “He has been everything we wanted when we got him. He’s been our best pitcher.”

Mixing a fastball with some nasty off-speed stuff, Finley (3-0) had the Red Sox off-balance all afternoon. He gave up five hits, got 12 groundball outs and allowed only one fly ball--a drive to deep center by Nomar Garciaparra in the sixth that Cruz ran down on the warning track.

Finley struck out seven, walked two and has given up only two earned runs in his last 24 2/3 innings.

Finley, who spent his first 14 seasons with the Angels, was courted by several teams during the off-season. But he finally chose Cleveland for a chance to pitch in front of a sellout crowd at home every time out and for a shot at winning a World Series ring.

“I’m happy where I’m at,” said Finley, who has been thrust into the role of No. 1 starter while Bartolo Colon is on the disabled list.

“I’m not a big talker. I just go out there and do my thing.”

Finley left with two out in the eighth, one batter after Jose Offerman’s fielder’s choice grounder brought the Red Sox within 3-2.

Paul Shuey came in and walked Garciaparra before Mike Stanley, who homered earlier, followed with a drive to deep center that Cruz caught just before crashing into the wall.

Cruz had to be helped off the field and was replaced in the ninth by David Justice, who switched from left to center.

Cruz left the ballpark on crutches and was scheduled to have an MRI.

Manuel said the Indians’ trainers told him there could be a tear in Cruz’s left knee and a team spokesman said Cruz heard his knee pop.

Toronto 6, New York 2--Tony Batista, whose two errors contributed to the Blue Jays’ loss in the series opener, doubled in the go-ahead run to help David Wells defeat his former team at New York.

Wells (4-1) posted his second win in five decisions against the Yankees since being traded to the Blue Jays for Roger Clemens last year. He gave up one run and five hits in five innings before leaving with slight lower back stiffness.

Batista’s double scored Brad Fullmer, who had singled with two out to start the Blue Jays’ three-run sixth off Orlando Hernandez (4-1).

Oakland 6, Minnesota 2--Ben Grieve hit his first career grand slam in the 10th inning as the Athletics outlasted Minnesota’s Eric Milton at Minneapolis.

Grieve’s fourth homer of the season, off Eddie Guardado, gave him five runs batted in as the A’s won for the fourth time in six games.

Milton gave up two hits in eight innings, retiring the A’s in order in every inning but the fifth. He struck out eight and didn’t walk a batter.

Baltimore 3, Texas 1--Mike Mussina pitched a nine-hitter for his first win, and Cal Ripken drove in two runs as the Orioles won their ninth straight home game.

Mussina (1-2) walked one and struck out six, winning for the first time since defeating the New York Yankees on Sept. 30.

Chicago 2, Detroit 1--Cal Eldred gave up four hits in seven innings at Detroit as the White Sox won for the 10th time in 11 games.

Eldred (2-0), who pitched a two-hitter to defeat Baltimore, 8-2, in his last start, gave up three walks and struck out one in seven innings.

Seattle 11, Kansas City 3--Alex Rodriguez was three for five with a homer and Mike Cameron hit a two-run shot as the Mariners defeated the Royals, ending Kansas City’s seven-game home win streak.

John Olerud was three for three with two intentional walks, raising his average to .405. Aaron Sele (2-1) pitched seven innings, giving up three runs and eight hits.