Guardians 3 - 5 Rangers
Final
  for this game

Indians take on Rangers in finale at Texas

Aug 7, 2011 - 3:00 PM

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(Sports Network) - Trying desperately to keep pace in the AL Central, the Cleveland Indians look to grab their second straight win over the Texas Rangers when the two teams collide this evening in Arlington.

Josh Tomlin will take the hill for the Indians in the finale of this three- game set hoping to snap a personal three-game winless streak. The last time Tomlin was in action he was no match for Boston, as he surrendered five runs on 10 hits in six innings.

Even though Tomlin was smacked around by the Red Sox, he did not factor in the decision. That was also the 11th start on the road for Tomlin this season, who might be 4-3 in those outings, but that comes along with a weak 5.11 ERA.

The young hurler has never faced Texas in his brief career.

Much like Tomlin, the Rangers' starter is also looking to bounce back from a few poor outings. Colby Lewis is winless in two starts after claiming a victory in four of his previous five matchups.

The last time Lewis was on the hill he surrendered five runs -- four earned -- on 10 hits and three walks in just four innings of work against Detroit. Even though Lewis was clearly not at his best, he still did not factor in the loss.

Lewis has accumulated a 2-0 mark in three starts against Cleveland in his career. However, his mark has more to do with the offense behind him because in 15.2 innings of action against the Tribe the right-hander has allowed a whopping 13 runs.

Yesterday, Michael Brantley ripped a go-ahead, RBI double in the top of the ninth and the Indians held on for a 7-5 victory over the Rangers.

The Indians trailed 4-3 entering the ninth, but Kosuke Fukudome led off with a double and scored on Lonnie Chisenhall's single. With two down, Brantley worked the count full before belting the ninth pitch of the at bat into right. Jason Kipnis followed with a two-run homer.

The Rangers, who opened the three-game series with an 11-inning walk-off win on Friday, grabbed the lead with a four-run seventh. Ian Kinsler slapped a two-run single and Hamilton capped the inning with a go-ahead sac fly.

Neftali Feliz (1-3) allowed three runs in the ninth to suffer the loss.

Elvis Andrus pushed one across in the bottom of the ninth and the Rangers placed runners at second and third later in the frame, but Chris Perez induced Michael Young into a game-ending groundout to earn his 23rd save.

Frank Herrmann (2-0) pitched a scoreless eighth to earn the win.

Before the win the Indians dropped the previous five meetings this season. The Indians are four games behind Detroit for the AL Central lead, while Texas sits a game ahead of the LA Angels for AL West bragging rights.






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