The Indians' 10-game winning streak came to a halt Friday night with a 3-2 loss to Seattle. But for the first time in over two months the Indians had one of their big bats back in the lineup.
Catcher Victor Martinez, who hadn't appeared in a game since June 11, played first base and batted fifth for the Indians. Martinez missed over two months while he recovered from arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. Martinez was 1-for-3 with a walk in his first game back. Manager Eric Wedge said Martinez will probably sit out the next two games as the Indians attempt to ease him back into everyday duty.
With the excellent play of backup catcher Kelly Shoppach while Martinez was out, Wedge said Martinez will initially play first base and designated hitter, but the team does want to get him behind the plate for some games as well.
Wedge said by the end of the season the Indians want to have seen enough of Martinez behind the plate to feel confident that the injury is behind him.
MARINERS 3, INDIANS 2: The Indians out-hit Seattle 9-8, but came up one short in the run category Friday as Cleveland's 10-game winning streak came to an end. The Indians' only runs came on an RBI groundout by INF Jamey Carroll, and an RBI double by OF Shin-Soo Choo. LHP Jeremy Sowers, who gave up three runs in five innings, took the loss, dropping his record to 2-7.
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