CLEVELAND — César Hernández scored on a throwing error by pitcher Paul Sewald in the 10th inning, completing the Cleveland Indians' rally for a 5-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
With the bases loaded and no outs, Harold Ramírez hit a comebacker to Sewald, who threw high and wide of the plate. Catcher Tom Murphy jumped to grab the errant throw, but Hernández slid home with the game-winning run. Cleveland (34-27) trailed 4-0 after seven and scored three runs in the ninth against closer Rafael Montero.
Mariners (31-35) starter Yusei Kikuchi had limited the Indians to three singles over the first seven innings, compared to just two-things of an inning for Tribe starter Tristan McKenzie, who allowed four walks and a run. Hernández got Cleveland's scoring started with a solo home run in the eighth, then things got interesting in the ninth.
With two outs, Montero suddenly lost his command, allowing walks to Bradley Zimmer and Josh Naylor before Bobby Bradley drove in a run with a bloop single. Montero managed to get the next batter down to his last strike, but Hernández ended up doubling off the 19-foot-high wall in left, scoring Naylor and Bradley and sending the Progressive Field crowd into a shocked state of jubilation.
James Karinchak struck out two in the 10th to preserve the tie, and in the bottom half of the frame Amed Rosario hit a single that should've scored Hernández, but the designated runner got a bad jump and stopped at third. José Ramírez was intentionally walked before Harold Ramirez swung at a pitch way inside for what looked like a sure double play. Fortunately, Sewald bungled the toss to Murphy, handing the Indians an improbable win.
The Tribe, still trailing the Chicago White Sox by 4 1/2 games in the AL Central, will go for the sweep Sunday afternoon behind ace Shane Bieber (7-3, 2.96 ERA). Logan Gilbert (1-2, 4.98) will start for the M's.