 pitched six innings and gave up one run - a solo homer by Mike Napoli - to win for the first time since April 30. Josh Tomlin (7-1) lasted 3 2/3 innings and lost for the first time since Sept. 15. The right-hander was 12-0 in 13 starts following a Cleveland loss dating back to last season. Desmond, the game's second batter, gave Texas a quick lead with a homer into the left-field bleachers. Mazara, who is having an impressive rookie season, hit his ninth homer to dead center during a four-run fourth. Elvis Andrus was 3 for 4 with an RBI and has hit safely in 28 of 29 career games at Progressive FieldTexas, which leads the AL West, has won eight of 10. Indians manager Terry Francona was ejected in the third inning by plate umpire Manny Gonzalez. Francona argued that the Rangers' Mitch Moreland should have been called out for running inside the baseline while going to first base after hitting a ground ball. Moreland was hit in the back of the helmet by a throw from Tomlin, allowing a run to score and giving Texas a 4-0 lead. Francona came on the field and had a lengthy discussion with Gonzalez. He was ejected after he went back to the dugout, and then returned to the field for a heated argument with the umpire. Marlon Byrd was 4 for 4 with a home run for Cleveland, which committed four errors, including three by third baseman Juan Uribe. Tomlin was charged with eight runs, four of which were unearned thanks to his own throwing error in the third and Uribe's double error in the fourth. Austin Adams relieved Tomlin and allowed Mazara's home run. Holland, who broke a three-game losing streak, gave up six hits and struck out two. Cesar Ramos pitched the final three innings for his first save. TRAINER'S ROOMRangers: OF Shin-Soo Choo (strained left hamstring) is taking batting practice and continuing a running program in Arlington. Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco (strained left hamstring) could rejoin the rotation this week. He threw a bullpen session Monday. UP NEXTRangers: RHP Colby Lewis (4-0) is seeking the first 5-0 start of his career. He was the winning pitcher against the Angels on Wednesday despite allowed a season-high six runs in five innings, his shortest outing of the season. Indians: RHP Corey Kluber (4-5) has won his last start two starts and looks to even his record. He allowed three earned runs over 14 innings, beating the Red Sox and White Sox.
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Time: 06:10 P.M. EST Venue: Progressive Field
The Cleveland Indians have been nearly unbeatable the last two years with Josh Tomlin on the mound. They have won 16 of the last 17 starts by Tomlin, who looks to improve to 8-0 on Monday night in the opener of a three-game set against the visiting Texas Rangers. Cleveland (26-22) is 16-2 in starts by Tomlin since he returned last year after right shoulder surgery, with victories in all eight in 2016. He cruised through eight innings by allowing two runs in Tuesday's 6-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox and Chris Sale, who suffered his first loss." I was able to throw strikes and mix it up enough to where they put the ball in play and the guys made the plays," Tomlin said. Tomlin (7-0, 3.35 ERA) has benefited from generous run support with an average of 6.88. The Indians have scored at least five runs in all but one of his eight outings. He is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two career starts against the Rangers. Adrian Beltre has the most at-bats against Tomlin among Texas hitters, going 3 for 7. One hitter who is hoping to face Tomlin is the Rangers' Ryan Rua - and not because he relishes the matchup. The outfielder grew up in the Cleveland area as an Indians fan and said that the only game he played at Progressive Field came in high school." It is a big deal," Rua told the Rangers' official website. "Growing up 20-25 minutes outside the city, I'm sure I'll have a lot of family and friends there." Another Ohio native will be on the mound for Texas in Derek Holland (3-4, 5.21), who is 2-0 with a 1.16 ERA in three starts at Cleveland with the Rangers winning all of them. The Indians have some hitters who have enjoyed success versus Holland. Carlos Santana is 7 for 18 in this matchup, Jason Kipnis is 5 for 15 and Mike Napoli 4 for 12. Holland has one of baseball's worst road ERAs at 6.41. The left-hander yielded two runs in 6 2/3 innings of Monday's 2-0 home loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Texas (29-21) has won seven of nine after seeing Prince Fielder and Mitch Moreland homer in Sunday's 6-2 victory over Pittsburgh. Fielder ended a career-long homer drought at 34 games with his third of the season. Moreland went deep again after he stopped a 1-for-27 skid with a home run Saturday." They know that the stroke is still there, they know that the power is there," manager Jeff Banister said. "I believe in the impact that they have on our lineup, and our players in that clubhouse believe in the impact in those players and what they're going to be able to do for us this year." Beltre homered twice in the weekend series, going 4 for 10. Napoli will face the Rangers for the first time since playing 35 games for them last year after coming over from Boston on Aug. 7. These teams split six meetings in 2015.
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