of the third. Omar Vizquel had a leadoff single, stole second, was bunted over to third by Shawon Dunston, and driven home by a Manny Ramirez single.

Colon continued to pitch both efficiently and effectively. Through seven innings he had given up only 5 hits and 1 walk on 84 total pitches.

In the bottom of the seventh with Ramirez on first and two outs, the Indians got a rally going. Manny stole second and then Houston reliever Mike Magnante walked Jim Thome. Sandy Alomar drove in Ramirez with a line drive double into center field. David Justice walked to load the bases.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Mark Whiten drove Magnante’s fourth pitch through the left side of the infield to score Thome and Alomar. Travis Fryman struckout to end the inning, but the Indians led 4-2.

Astros shortstop Ricky Gutierrez stepped in against Colon to lead of the top of the eighth. Gutierrez swung and missed at the first pitch. On the second pitch, Gutierrez took another big cut. The bat slipped out of his hands and spiraled into the stands for the second strike. He fouled off the third pitch, and things began to get interesting. The fourth pitch was a ball outside. Gutierrez fouled off another, and then pitch number six was another ball outside. Now on a 2-2 count Gutierrez fouled off six straight pitches. Pitch thirteen was a ball in the dirt and the crowd was beginning to buzz. Gutierrez then fouled off another six straight pitches.

At this point, Bartolo had