Cleveland bullpen finally answers call

CLEVELAND — The relievers didn’t squander a thing. For one of the few times this season, the Indians’ brutal bullpen did its job well.

Jake Westbrook got spotted a big lead and his bullpen didn’t give it all back as Cleveland beat the Seattle Mariners 9-5, ending the Indians’ season-high losing streak at seven.

Westbrook (4-2) managed to make it through five innings, allowing four runs and seven hits. The right-hander then turned it over to Cleveland’s inconsistent relievers, already responsible for 14 losses and 11 blown saves.

But Rick White, Cliff Bartosh, Rafael Betancourt and Jose Jimenez took care of the rest, combining to hold the Mariners to one run and one hit over the final four innings.

“That’s what we’re looking for,” a relieved Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said.

The bullpen’s solid outing came one day after the Indians shook things up as Wedge named Jimenez his closer, Scott Stewart was sent to the minors and the club acquired Lou Pote in a trade.

“We have to get ourselves together,” Jimenez said. “We have to go out there and get better — that’s all we can do.”

Jimenez lost a chance at getting his first A.L. save when the Indians scored in the eighth, but with an 8.10 ERA, the former Colorado closer was pleased to work a spotless inning.

“I hope this is the step I use to take off,” he said.

Travis Hafner and Casey Blake had two RBIs apiece off Seattle starter Gil Meche (1-5), helping Cleveland salvage the finale of the three-game series.

Jody Gerut and Ronnie Belliard each had three hits and drove in a run for the Indians.

Edgar Martinez homered for Seattle (17-29), which after an 8-15 April is guaranteed of having consecutive losing months for the first time since 1999.

“We’re showing some signs, swinging the bat better, battling back and that’s good to see,” manager Bob Melvin said. “You’re always happy when you win two of three. But you’ve got to get greedy at some point.”

The Indians failed to score more than four runs during any game in their recent slide, but they had that many after the first inning against Meche.

Meche equaled career-highs by allowing eight runs and 10 hits in 31/3 innings.

Edgar Martinez made it 8-5 in the seventh with his fifth homer, his second in two days.

Belliard, the Cleveland second baseman, robbed John Olerud of a hit in the seventh with a sliding stab in short right.