CLEVELAND (Reuters) – The Texas Rangers rallied from three runs down to beat the Cleveland Indians 7-3 in a battle of division leaders on Thursday.

Central leaders Cleveland scored three runs in the second inning before Texas, leaders of the West division, got to Indians starter Carlos Carrasco in the fifth, scoring three runs. The Rangers scored three more in the sixth to end Carrasco’s game.

The bottom of the Rangers’ batting order, led by Nelson Cruz, Yorvit Torrealba and Endy Chavez, did most of the damage.

Cruz had two lead off doubles and was driven in on both occasions by Torrealba. Chavez was 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Texas added another run in the ninth inning.

Mike Kirkman picked up the win, pitching three strong innings in relief and allowing one hit — a solo homer by Matt LaPorta. Carrasco took the loss, allowing six runs on eight hits in seven innings.

(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Colby Lewis scattered four hits over eight innings, Elvis Andrus had two RBIs and the Texas Rangers beat the Rays 3-0 on Wednesday.

“We pitched well enough and played well enough to win,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. “But we didn’t hit and that’s been our problem.”

Lewis (5-5) struck out eight and walked two. Neftali Feliz allowed a leadoff single to Ben Zobrist in the ninth before wrapping up his 11th save and completing the shutout.

“You can’t win if you don’t (score), so it’s tough,” Price said. “Those guys are out there trying and it’s not easy for them.”

Nelson Cruz put the Rangers ahead 1-0 on a fifth-inning RBI single, and Andrus made it 3-0 in the eighth when he hit a two-out single off Price – one pitch after Craig Gentry and Ian Kinsler pulled off a double steal to get into scoring position.

“It’s frustrating,” Price said. “I didn’t throw well enough and Colby threw a great game.”

Price (6-5) allowed three runs, five hits, one walk and struck out eight in eight innings.

The Rays have lost eight of 12 and now head off on an 11-game, 12-day road trip that begins Thursday night at Seattle.

“We’ve been a much better road trip,” Maddon said. “I know our guys are not intimidated or concerned about going on the road. I have a lot of faith in our guys.”

Tampa Bay is 15-10 on the road this season, compared to a 14-16 home record.

Price faced the Rangers for the first time since losing both of his starts in last year’s American League Divisional Series. In four previous regular-season outings against Texas, the left-hander went 0-2 with a 7.45 ERA.

“Price was throwing the ball well, and Lewis was awesome,” Rangers DH Michael Young said.

Original Print Headline: Rangers down Price, Rays

Colby Lewis scattered four hits over eight innings, Elvis Andrus had two RBIs and the Texas Rangers beat the Rays 3-0 on Wednesday.

“We pitched well enough and played well enough to win,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. “But we didn’t hit and that’s been our problem.”

Lewis (5-5) struck out eight and walked two. Neftali Feliz allowed a leadoff single to Ben Zobrist in the ninth before wrapping up his 11th save and completing the shutout.

“You can’t win if you don’t (score), so it’s tough,” Price said. “Those guys are out there trying and it’s not easy for them.”

Nelson Cruz put the Rangers ahead 1-0 on a fifth-inning RBI single, and Andrus made it 3-0 in the eighth when he hit a two-out single off Price – one pitch after Craig Gentry and Ian Kinsler pulled off a double steal to get into scoring position.

“It’s frustrating,” Price said. “I didn’t throw well enough and Colby threw a great game.”

Price (6-5) allowed three runs, five hits, one walk and struck out eight in eight innings.

The Rays have lost eight of 12 and now head off on an 11-game, 12-day road trip that begins Thursday night at Seattle.

“We’ve been a much better road trip,” Maddon said. “I know our guys are not intimidated or concerned about going on the road. I have a lot of faith in our guys.”

Tampa Bay is 15-10 on the road this season, compared to a 14-16 home record.

Price faced the Rangers for the first time since losing both of his starts in last year’s American League Divisional Series. In four previous regular-season outings against Texas, the left-hander went 0-2 with a 7.45 ERA.

“Price was throwing the ball well, and Lewis was awesome,” Rangers DH Michael Young said.

Original Print Headline: Rangers down Price, Rays

Times staff

Posted: Jun 01, 2011 03:41 PM

The Tampa Bay Rays wasted a strong start from David Price in a 3-0 loss to the Texas Rangers this afternoon at Tropicana Field.

Price was stellar through seven innings, striking out eight while allowing just one run on four hits and no walks. But the two runs he permitted on one walk and one hit in the eighth ended his day.

Price, visibly upset in the dugout after the inning, got no help from his offense, which failed to score on five hits against Texas pitchers Colby Lewis and Neftali Feliz.

The Rangers opened the scoring in the top of the fifth. Adrian Beltre doubled to center to lead off the inning and scored on Nelson Cruz’s single to center.

Texas tacked on two more runs in the eighth. Price retired the first two batters before No. 9 hitter Craig Gentry doubled to right. Ian Kinsler then drew the only walk off Price, on a full count. Gentry and Kinsler each advanced on steals and scored on Elvis Andrus’ single to right.

The Rays begin a 11-game road trip Thursday that will take them to Seattle, Los Angeles and Baltimore before they return home June 14 against Boston.

[Last modified: Jun 01, 2011 07:15 PM]

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ARLINGTON, Texas, May 28 (UPI) — Matt Harrison hurled six scoreless innings and the Texas Rangers blasted five homers among their 15 hits Saturday, rolling over Kansas City 10-1.

Harrison (5-4) ran his shutout innings streak to 14 1/3, stretching back to his previous start Sunday against Philadelphia. The left-hander scattered five hits against the Royals, walking one and striking out one.

Yoshinori Tateyama earned his first save with three innings of one-run ball for the Rangers, who grabbed the top spot in the American League West with the victory.

Adrian Beltre hit a two-run double in the first inning to put Texas ahead for good and later added a solo homer, while Mitch Moreland, Mike Napoli and Eric Chavez all pounded out bases-empty shots in the second.

Nelson Cruz also went deep for Texas.

Sean O’Sullivan (2-4) was lit up for 10 runs on 15 hits in a 5 2/3-inning performance for the Royals, who lost for the sixth time in seven games.

Read More: C.J. Wilson (P – TEX), Texas Rangers

C.J. Wilson takes the mound on Wednesday afternoon as the Texas Rangers look to avoid dropping a three game series to the Chicago White Sox. 

The Rangers won the first game of the series behind Alexi Ogando’s magnificent performance, as Ogando pitched a complete game shutout. Ogando was backed offensively by the returns of Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz, with both outfielders going deep in the contest.

On Tuesday night, Texas fell to Chicago 8-6, mainly thanks to Carlos Quentin’s three homer night. The game was interrupted for two hours and 58 minutes thanks to a massive storm system that came through the Dallas area.

Wilson will look for his fifth win of the year on Wednesday – and he’ll look to improve on his 1.27 WHIP as well. Wilson received a loss in his last start, which came Friday against Roy Halladay in Philadelphia. Wilson pitched well, allowing just three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 10, but it wasn’t good enough to escape a loss.

Gavin Floyd will oppose Wilson for the White Sox, and he’ll be looking for his sixth win of the year. Floyd has pitched well this year, to the tune of a 1.14 WHIP, 3.88 ERA, and 51 strikeouts against 15 walks in 60.1 innings of work.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. CDT.