Cleveland Indians: Few Fans Show, One Alters Outcome in Loss

4 - 14 - 10     vs. Texas     L, 6 - 2     2 - 6

     Three - fourths of the Progressive Field seats were empty for the Tribe's game against the Rangers as only 10,071 showed up, but one fan impacted the game in a negative way for an Indians' team that has now dropped five in a row.  The crowd was the smallest in the history of the ballpark.
    The Rangers jumped out to a 4 - 0 lead that was highlighted by Nelson Cruz's two - run  homer in the third inning.
    That set up the crucial play in the contest.  Cleveland had all the  ducks on the pond and two outs in the sixth, when Michael Brantley ripped a double down the first base line.  However, because a fan reached over the low wall and touched the ball, the play was ruled the equivalent of a ground - rule double.  So, instead of scoring three runs, the Tribe only got two, and the momentum gained from the clutch hit seemed to dissipate.
    Julio Borbon contributed some insurance for Texas on a two - run single in the eighth, and the Rangers coasted from there to the victory.
     Justin Masterson's six frames while allowing four tallies were not nearly good enough because the Indians' offense still can not break out of their plonged slump to start the season.