Lofton savoring the moment as a member of the Tribe

The chants started as soon as Kenny Lofton headed to home plate for his first at-bat Monday.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ken-ny ... Ken-ny ... Ken-ny.

<p class="MsoNormal">The 40-year-old in his third go-around with the Indians wanted to savor the moment, just a bit. That is, after all, his advice to his young teammates.

<p class="MsoNormal">But he quickly thought something else, too: "Try to do something."

<p class="MsoNormal">Lofton did plenty with one swing of the bat in the second inning -- his first of the game -- launching a two-run home run to right-center field. That gave the Indians the early lead in a 4-2 win over the Red Sox, giving them a 2-1 lead in the ALCS.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Once you've got the fans out there cheering for you, you want to make something happen," Lofton said. "And I just wanted to try to be aggressive ... and I got lucky."

<p class="MsoNormal">Lofton had not homered since coming back to Cleveland in a trade with Texas in late July. He had seven homers with the Rangers.

<p class="MsoNormal">"These guys have been saying, 'You've got to get one home run,'" said Lofton, who is hitting .345 with six RBIs in the playoffs.

<p class="MsoNormal">One of those teammates kidding Lofton was Ryan Garko. The 26-year-old is also having a good postseason and has taken plenty of Lofton's advice to heart.

<p class="MsoNormal">"There's a bounce in his step and you see that excitement in his eyes," Garko said. "For a young guy to see that passion, you know it's important."

<p class="MsoNormal">Lofton became the seventh-oldest player to homer in a playoff game. Julio Franco tops the list at 43 years, 59 days. Willie Mays, Dave Winfield, Eddie Murray, Harold Baines and Enos Slaughter are also on the impressive list.

<p class="MsoNormal">"He's a big-game player," Indians Manager Eric Wedge said. "He likes the stage."

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