Add to that list: "You don't balk in the winning run" and "You advance to third base on a grounder when your teammate is caught in a rundown."
If you're the Cleveland Indians and you do those five things, you probably don't lose Saturday.
In a season that has seen a balk-off, the Indians may have found an even stranger way to lose at San Francisco on Saturday. Not only did the winning run in the 1-0 Giants victory score on a balk, but a brain cramp on the bases prevented the Indians from tying the game in the next inning.
"It's not frustrating," Indians manager Manny Acta said following the game. "You shouldn't put yourself in that spot."
The balk, which occured in the seventh inning, was unfortunate but was one of those things in baseball where a player can shrug his shoulders and say "it happens." After walking Andres Torres to load the bases, Indians pitcher Tony Sipp flinched slightly and the perceptive Giants jumped on it, allowing Miguel Tejada to stroll home.
Poor baserunning the very next inning prevented the Indians from possibly tying the score, and might have been more unforgiveable than the balk. With runners on second and third, Asdrubal Cabrera hit a chopper to third that Pablo Sandoval fielded. A few moments later, Adam Everett was tagged out on the third-base line, but Michael Brantley, who had been on second, failed to advance to third.
That turned out to be crucial when Giants catcher Chris Stewart allowed a passed ball later in the inning.
"It was definitely an interesting inning, but that's just kind of the way it goes sometimes," said winning pitcher Matt Cain. "Those are the ones that are tough when you lose, and they're great when you win."
The Indians, who earlier this season held the biggest division lead in the majors, are now in a virtual tie with the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL Central.
They're 8-15 in June. How did they ever win eight?
