Justice, Indians Eject Red Sox

Maybe losing their manager, their starting pitcher and their cool in the first inning was just what these Cleveland Indians needed.

Dave Burba, rushed into service when starter Dwight Gooden was ejected after 22 pitches, made it into the sixth inning, and David Justice homered and drove in four runs Wednesday as Cleveland defeated the Boston Red Sox 9-5 to even the AL playoff series.

After being routed 11-3 in Game 1, the Indians needed a lift. And although they certainly didn't plan to spend the rest of the day watching TV in Cleveland's clubhouse, manager Mike Hargrove and Gooden sparked the Indians and their fans by getting kicked out in the first by plate umpire Joe Brinkman.

"It sure did get us fired up," Cleveland first baseman Jim Thome said. "Especially since the last week or so we haven't played real well. And with the way they played yesterday, we needed something."

The best-of-5 seies continues Friday afternoon at Fenway Park with Cleveland's Charles Nagy facing Bret Saberhagen. Game 4 is set for Saturday, and the teams would return to Jacobs Field for Game 5 on Sunday if necessary.

Game 2 will be best remembered for a wild, 39-minute first inning that included three runs, the ejections, two passed balls, three walks, two stolen bases, a hit batter, two controversial calls and a lot of heated words.

There was more tension in the ninth when both benches and bullpens emptied briefly after John Valentin took exception to an inside pitch from Indians reliever Mike Jackson, who picked up the save.

Mo Vaughn, who had a postseason record seven RBIs in Game 1, went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts and a walk.

Gooden, seeking his first postseason win, was in trouble with Brinkman after his third pitch. He disagreed with the umpire on a 2-0 pitch to leadoff hitter Darren Lewis, yelling when Brinkman called ball three.

Indians pitching coach Mark Wiley restrains pitcher Dwight Gooden after Gooden was ejected in the first inning. (AP)

The umpire started out from behind the plate as Gooden motioned to him that things were OK and he would continue. Hargrove came out to calm his pitcher, but on his way back to the bench, he argued with Brinkman and was quickly tossed.

"For me, it's one of those things that happens in the heat of battle where everybody's competitive, especially in this situation," Hargrove said. "It was just a difference of opinion. I did what I had to do and Joe did what he had to do."

Gooden walked the first two hitters, but after striking out Vaughn, Nomar Garciaparra doubled high off the wall in left. Darren Lewis and Valentin scored on the hit, although TV replays showed Valentin was thrown out.

When Brinkman called him safe, Gooden, who was backing up the play, said something to the umpire, who immediately ejected him. Gooden had to be restrained by several teammates as he tried to get at Brinkman.

"I didn't even know I got thrown out until I got back to the mound and the other umpires told me," Gooden said.

Brinkman releasea statement through the AL.

"The ejection of Hargrove was questioning balls and strikes," he said. "The ejection on Gooden was that he screamed an expletive right in my ear and I ejected him. That's all there is to it."

Burba, who started 31 games for the Indians in the regular season and was named a long reliever following past success in that role, replaced Gooden and retired the side. Burba then held the Red Sox in check for 5 1-3 innings, allowing three runs and four hits.

"I think that was the biggest spark, Dave coming in there and shutting them down like that," Kenny Lofton said.

With Tim Wakefield's knuckler not knuckling, the Indians got a run back in the bottom of the first on Justice's sacrifice fly and scored five more in the second - three on Justice's homer - to take a 6-2 lead.

Justice said the mood in the Indians dugout got much more intense after Hargrove and Gooden were ejected.

"We as a team felt like we had to win despite everything that happens to us," he said. "We just have to go out and take this game."

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