A season ago, the Texas Rangers captured the American League pennant while the Indians endured a 93-loss campaign. And although the Tribe currently owns a better record than the Rangers, Texas showed on Thursday night that it remains the team to beat in the junior circuit.
The Indians were able to claim an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Carlos Santana drew a lead-off walk and advanced to 2nd base on Grady Sizemore's double. Travis Buck and Orlando Cabrera then hit back-to-back RBI singles, and Jack Hannahan's RBI groundout capped the successful frame.
Unfortunately, the tide began to turn against the Tribe as the contest entered its 5th inning of play. Carlos Carrasco was twirling a shutout, but the Rangers tallied 3 times off him in both the 5th and the 6th. Carrasco was hurt by the fact that he left several pitches up in the strike zone, and Texas made him pay. A Carlos Santana throwing error did not help matters either.
Carrasco exited following the 6th, and the 6 runs he allowed, of which 5 were earned, made him the losing pitcher.
The resilient Indians once again made a comeback bid in the late innings, but they were unable to overcome the Rangers. Matt LaPorta did launch a solo homer in the 7th, but the Texas bullpen slammed the door shut.
The Rangers added an insurance run in the 9th when Endy Chavez, who collected 4 hits, scored courtesy of Rafael Perez's fielding error.
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| LaPorta and the Indians watched as the Rangers pulled away late |
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