#16---TEX @ CLE, 4/16/2000

My scoresheet got some much-needed cosmetic work for 2000, with solid lines to separate the scoreboxes. This early season game between two defending division champions matched up Chuck Finley and Esteban Loaiza.

Finley went the distance on the hill for Cleveland, making 125 pitches and allowing a single run in the third inning. Loaiza looked to be even better though, holding the Indians to just one hit through the first seven innings, while striking out ten, including five in succession heading into the eighth. After getting David Justice to ground out, he allowed a hit to Travis Fryman and was pulled after 110 pitches for 1999 relief sensation Jeff Zimmerman. He worked out of the inning, leaving John Wetteland a save opportunity in the ninth.

Wetteland was in his final major league season, and it was one of his worst with a 120 ERA+. After retiring Roberto Alomar, Manny Ramirez hit his payoff pitch out of the park in center field to tie the game. Jim Thome did likewise on a 2-2 pitch, and the Indians had a dramatic 2-1 victory.