Tony Overman/The Olympian
Jamie Moyer earned two victories over Cleveland in the ALDS. His previous two postseasons were marred by injuries.

Lefty Moyer in good form, good health for 2001 ALCS

Seattle veteran comes through in Game 5

JIM COUR, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

"It's exciting to be able to contribute. I think the way we played all year long, everybody contributed and everybody's continuing to contribute." -- Jamie Moyer, Mariners pitcher

SEATTLE -- Jamie Moyer will get his chance in this AL Championship Series.

Sidelined last October by a knee injury, Moyer pitched the Seattle Mariners back into the ALCS with a 3-1 victory Monday over Cleveland in the deciding Game 5 of the first round of the playoffs.

The 38-year-old left-hander also won 5-1 in Game 2 and finished with a 1.50 ERA in his two starts.

"It's exciting to be able to contribute," Moyer said. "I think the way we played all year long, everybody contributed and everybody's continuing to contribute. It's great to be a key factor in that contribution."

The Cleveland series was extremely satisfying to the pitcher who was traded to Seattle by Boston July 30, 1996, for Darren Bragg -- injuries had ruined his postseasons in 1997 and 2000.

In his first postseason in the 1997 Division Series against Baltimore, he had to come out of a Game 2 start because of a strained left elbow in the fifth inning.

Piniella chose not to use him in the Mariners' division sweep of the Chicago White Sox last season, but planned to use him in the ALCS against the New York Yankees.

Broken kneecap

But Moyer missed that opportunity when his left kneecap was broken by a ball hit by teammate Chris Widger in a simulated game before the series began.

Moyer had a career season in 2001, when the Mariners tied the major league record with 116 victories. He went 20-6 with a 3.43 ERA in 33 starts and 209 2-3 innings.

Moyer owned the Indians this season, going 4-0 against them in the playoffs and the regular season. He was 2-0 with an 0.64 ERA in two starts against them during the regular season.

The 6-foot, 175-pounder makes up for what he lacks in size and strength with guile. His fastball tops out at 85 mph, so he relies heavily by spotting his pitches on the corners. He owns one of the best changeups in the game.

When he misses his spots, he can give up home runs. He surrendered 24 during the regular season.

Mike Cameron, Seattle's All-Star center fielder, said he was certain the Mariners were going to win Monday because Moyer was on the mound.

"I had total confidence in him," Cameron said. "He's done it time and time again. Every single time he's pitched. Especially against good offensive clubs like Cleveland. They made a few adjustments from the first time he pitched against them in the series. But Jamie made a few adjustments of his own, too."

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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