Factory Of Sadness
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Cleveland Indians: 4 moments that define a modern fandom

By Chad Porto

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 19: The Cleveland Indians celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays with a score of 3 to 0 in game five of the American League Championship Series at Rogers Centre on October 19, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 19: The Cleveland Indians celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays with a score of 3 to 0 in game five of the American League Championship Series at Rogers Centre on October 19, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Indians second baseman Kenny Lofton (R) scores the game-winning run ahead of the tag attempt by Seattle Mariners catcher Tom Lampkin (2nd L) as Indians DH Eddie Taubensee (2nd R) and home plate umpire Jeff Nelson (L) watch during the 11th inning, 05 August, 2001 at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Seattle 15-14 in 11 innings. AFP PHOTO/David MAXWELL (Photo by DAVID MAXWELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read DAVID MAXWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Cleveland Indians second baseman Kenny Lofton (R) scores the game-winning run ahead of the tag attempt by Seattle Mariners catcher Tom Lampkin (2nd L) as Indians DH Eddie Taubensee (2nd R) and home plate umpire Jeff Nelson (L) watch during the 11th inning, 05 August, 2001 at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Seattle 15-14 in 11 innings. AFP PHOTO/David MAXWELL (Photo by DAVID MAXWELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read DAVID MAXWELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

The Seattle comeback

When you head into the fourth and you’re already down 12-0, it’s time to call in your long reliever, have him pitch for as long as he can, and hope to god you don’t need to blow your bullpen up to get out of this game. Maybe you have a guy in the bullpen who used to be a starter, and you can throw him in, but regardless, you’re in for a long day. Rarely, if ever, does a game where it’s been so lopsided become the greatest single game in the history of a franchise. That’s what happened in Cleveland on August 5.

The Indians were down 12-0 to start the bottom part of the fourth when Jim Thome launched a rocket that would get the Tribe on the board 12-2. Another two runs for the Mariners and the Tribe started the bottom portion of the 7th down 14-2. That’s when Russell Brayan came up to the plate and proved why he was so deadly, jacking another shot over the wall.

No one knew it, but the comeback was on. Two more walks and a single, and the game was now 14-5 in favor of Seattle. Another Thome home run, followed by Branyan getting hit by a pitch, and then a Marty Cordova two-run shot got the score to 14-8. Omar Vizquel doubles to right and now the lead is five.

Down to their final out, a point often forgot, with Ed Taubensee already on first, Will Cordero walks. That sets up Einar Diaz to drive in a run. Kenny Lofton singles, allowing Vizquel to play hero once again and hits a two-out triple to tie the game. No game has ever been this good.

Jolbert Cabrera drives home Lofton in the bottom of the 11th, at 12:11 a.m. on August 6. The loss came particularly in stunning fashion, as the Mariners were considered to be the best team in baseball, and would go on to set the record for most wins in a season.

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