Cleveland Has Answer for Angels’ Quick Start

ANAHEIM —  The Angels started the season by sending a message to the Yankees that they plan to be contenders in 1998, but Cleveland delivered one of its own: the Indians are still the defending American League champions until proven different.

Sunday’s 6-4 victory completed a three-game sweep for Cleveland and gave the Indians a 5-0 record. The five victories have come on the road against the Mariners and the Angels. And in Anaheim, the Indians were missing catcher Sandy Alomar Jr., because of a sore hamstring.

The last Cleveland team to start the season this well was the 1966 squad that won its first 10, but finished 81-81.

“[The start] shows how spring training records can be overrated,” Manager Mike Hargrove said, noting the Indians’ 12-17 exhibition mark. “We got in the work we needed and it’s paying off.

“We know there will be some times during the year that are not as good as they are now. But I had no doubts the team was ready to start the year.”

Hargrove’s confidence is no doubt helped because Cleveland is a veteran team. Even though there has been turnover--nine players the 25-man roster were not on last year’s World Series team--the Indians have plenty of proven ability.

There is only one Cleveland rookie (injured infielder Enrique Wilson.) Of the 15 Indians who played Sunday, only four were under 30 and only three had less than five years of major league experience.

“Yes it’s only one week,” said outfielder Dave Justice, who had three hits and drove in three runs. “But we’re not surprised at the way we’re playing. We’re a good hitting ballclub, and we know how to play the game, how to execute. When you can move runners over, and get the two-out hits, you’re always going to be in position to win.”

First baseman Jim Thome, whose two-run single in the fifth provided Cleveland with its winning margin, did not want to read too much into the first week. At the same time, he said, “we have a group of players that know what they want to accomplish and how to go about it. And we don’t have to talk about it; we just go out and play.”

For those awaiting Cleveland’s losing skid, reliever Mike Jackson--who picked up his third save Sunday--said don’t expect one to come soon.

“We have one of the best offenses in baseball,” Jackson said. “We have too many weapons. We have too many guys who know what they need to do, day in and day out, to play the game. This is not a team that worried about what happened in spring training, but knew what was expected when the season started.”

And despite the length of the season, the Indians are not dismissing early games.

“Everyone says you want to be playing your best at the end,” reliever Paul Assenmacher said. “But we’d rather win the games in April and May than lose and catch up,” he said.