The Cleveland Indians came into the game at 61-48, on their way to a 91-71 record. That record would be good enough for first place in the AL Central and a sixth playoff appearance in seven years.
The Mariners were 80-30, on their way to a record-breaking 116-win season.
The Indians were on a three-game losing streak, including a 17-4 beating from the Oakland A’s on August 2. Beer league softball scores were fairly common for the 2001 Indians, on both sides. On July 1 they lost to the Royals, 13-11. On June 4 they lost a walk-off game to the Twins, 11-10.