Indians 8, White Sox 2

5/27/2008 10:27 PM

CLEVELAND (AP) -After completing a rare unassisted triple play a few weeks ago, the Cleveland Indians pulled off an even stranger feat with a triple steal.

The Indians accomplished the feat in an 8-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.

With the bases loaded and Ben Francisco batting, White Sox pitcher Ehren Wasserman faked a throw to third and threw to first, which caught Jamey Carroll off the bag. First baseman Paul Konerko got Carroll in a brief rundown. David Dellucci broke from third and Konerko's throw to catcher Toby Hall was in the dirt, allowing Dellucci to score. Dellucci, Carroll and Grady Sizemore, who was on second when the play began, were given stolen bases.

The odd play didn't result in good reviews from either team.

``Those are not plays we practice in spring training,'' Indians manager Eric Wedge said.

``It was crazy,'' White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. ``We really did a lot wrong. You can name it and name it. It's a good thing it was one game.''

The last triple steal came on Oct. 1, 1987, by Atlanta against Houston according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The Indians already had a cushion at that point as Franklin Gutierrez hit a grand slam in the first inning to give Cleveland all the runs its would need. Gutierrez continues to thrive on Mark Buehrle.

``I know this guy,'' said Gutierrez, who hit a three-run homer off Buehrle on opening day and is batting .417 (5-for-12) with two homers and seven RBIs in his career against the left-hander. ``I know what he can throw. I was relaxed and looking for a good pitch to hit.''

While Gutierrez celebrated his first career grand slam, Buehrle, who fell to 2-6 and has lost six of his last seven decisions, had a different viewpoint of the results.

``I can't fall behind in the count in the first inning like that,'' he said. ``I get two outs, with just one run across, and then I walk a guy, give up a hit, walk a guy, and then you saw what happened.''

Buehrle allowed one run and two hits in seven innings against the Indians last week.

``Sometimes, this game stinks,'' he said. ``It's frustrating. You give up two hits in one game, then can't get anybody out.''

Buehrle allowed seven runs in five innings. He was pulled after back-to-back doubles by Jhonny Peralta and Ryan Garko in a bizarre sixth inning that featured the official scorer crediting the Indians with a triple steal.

The last Indians player to steal home was Grady Sizemore on Aug. 26, 2005 in Toronto. That was a straight steal of home.

Carroll started the first rally wit a one-out double, took third on a wild pitch and scored on Francisco's sacrifice fly. A walk to Victor Martinez, a single by Peralta and a walk to Garko loaded the bases.

The Indians' rare offensive outburst was enough for starter Aaron Laffey (3-3), who allowed two runs in five innings.

``When you get a big inning like that, you have to bear down a little more,'' Laffey said. ``You can't relax at all. If you relax for a second, they'll jump all over you.''

The White Sox, who had beaten the Indians five straight times, scored two in the third on Toby Hall's double and Orlando Cabrera's single.

The White Sox have won 10 of 13 while the Indians have lost nine of 11.

Gutierrez left the game with a left quad contusion after being hit by a pitch in the sixth.

Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner missed his second straight game because of a sore right shoulder. Manager Eric Wedge said Hafner could be headed for the disabled list.

Notes: RHP Jake Westbrook, who has been on the DL since April 22 with a strained left intercostals, will start Wednesday's game against the White Sox. Wedge said RHP Jorge Julio will be designated for assignment. ... RHP Adam Miller, the Indians' top pitching prospect, will have his right middle finger examined to determine if surgery is necessary. Miller is on the disabled list at Triple-A Buffalo with an open callus on the finger. ... During the team's pregame stretch, White Sox RHP Octavio Dotel and Director of Conditioning Allen Thomas got into a shouting match and had to be separated by players. It's unclear what caused the disagreement ... INF Juan Uribe (strained right hamstring) was sent to Triple-A Charlotte for a rehab assignment.