Tribe Wins Wild One

It appears no lead is safe when you're playing the Cleveland Indians.

Richie Sexson hit a two-run single and a three-run homer in a 10-run eighth inning as the Indians rallied from an eight-run deficit to beat the Anaheim Angels 14-12 on Tuesday night.

"This one probably ranks at the top of the list," Cleveland manager Mike Hargrove said of the Indians' 42nd comeback win and 19th in its last at-bat this season.

Percival, who dropped to 0-6 with an 8.85 ERA in his career against Cleveland, hit the next batter, David Justice, in the side with a pitch, triggering a bench-clearing brawl. Justice threw his helmet and hit Percival in the head as he charged the mound. Percival, Justice and Anaheim manager Terry Collins were ejected.

"We've played worse," Collins said. "Maybe not pitched worse."

Sexson's two-run single off Mark Petkovsek started Cleveland's rally.

The Indians then scored eight runs with two outs, starting with Omar Vizquel's RBI single.

Roberto Alomar then lined a two-run single to make it 12-9 and pinch-hitter Harold Baines slapped a two-run single to right to make it 12-11. Percival then walked Jim Thome, setting the stage for Sexson.

B>"I was surprised to get a breaking pitch from him, but saw it right away out of his hand and reacted," Sexson said.

Jim Poole (1-0), recalled from the minors earlier in the day, got the win. Paul Shuey pitched the ninth for his fifth save.

It was the third time this season the Indians overcame an eight-run deficit to win a major league record. Cleveland defeated Tampa Bay May 8 after twice trailing by eight runs and overcame an 8-0 deficit July 3 against Kansas City.

In a bizarre twist following the brawl, gold glove shortstop Vizquel played right field in the ninth for Cleveland.

"I take fly balls all the time," Vizquel said. "I wanted them to hit one to me to see what I could do."

Troy Glaus hit two home runs for Anaheim.

Angels starter Chuck Finley, the subject of trade talks with Cleveland before the July 31 trading deadline, gave up four runs one earned on 10 hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out six.

Manny Ramirez singled in two runs to give Cleveland a 3-1 lead in the third inning. That gave Ramirez a major league-leading 135 RBIs.

Glaus lined his 23rd homer, a two-run shot, to tie it at 3 in the fourth off Dwight Gooden.

Gooden, activated from the disabled list before the game, allowed three runs and five hits in five innings.

Garret Anderson gave Anaheim a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the first.

Thome tied it with a solo homer in the second.

Tim Salmon hit a two-run homer, his 11th, in the seventh.

Notes