Rapid Reaction: Indians 4, Rangers 3

September, 1, 2012
9/01/12
8:45
PM CT

David Murphy and Adrian Beltre homered for the Rangers, but it wasn't enough to help the Rangers climb out of an early four-run hole Saturday in a 4-3 loss to Cleveland.

Murphy was left stranded at first base in the bottom of the ninth when Mitch Moreland grounded out to second to end the game.

Scott Feldman allowed the four runs in the first inning for his fifth straight loss.

Profar stays on bench: Elvis Andrus was the designated hitter. Instead of Jurickson Profar starting at shortstop, Michael Young made his third start of the season at shortstop.

Rough beginning: The first five Indians batters reached base against Feldman, and four scored. The inning began with a lead-off walk for Shin Soo Choo, then four straight hits by the Indians. Feldman faced eight batters in the first inning.

A solid start?: After the first inning, Feldman gave up just two more hits and walked none as he worked six innings.

Touch ’em all: Murphy led off the third with his 12th home run and 51st RBI of the season. He has hit at least 12 home runs in four of the last five seasons. Last year, he hit 11. That home run brought the Rangers within three, 4-1.

Pickin' it: Mitch Moreland picked a hot smash off the bat of Carlos Santana in the fifth inning. He stepped on first base for the second out of the inning while the potential fifth run of the game for the Indians stayed at third base. That was Choo, and he was later stranded.

A little extra: Beltre singled, doubled and hit his 26th home run of the season. He has 20 hits in his last 10 games, and more than half are for extra bases (six doubles and seven home runs). His home run on Saturday brought the Rangers to within a run at 4-3.

Streaking: Andrus hit a slow roller up the third base line for an infield single in the eighth. He has hit safely in all 28 games that he has ever played against the Indians. That’s a Rangers record for longest hit streak against a single opponent. He was tied with Ivan Rodriguez, who hit in 27 straight games against Tampa Bay.

Up next: The Rangers complete their three-game series in Cleveland at 12:05 p.m. Sunday. LHP Derek Holland (9-6, 4.90) and RHP Zach McAllister (5-5, 3.82) are the starting pitchers. There are a couple of hours of Rangers programming preceding the game on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM. Rangers Magazine begins at 10 a.m., and Barret Loux is a scheduled guest. He plays for Double-A Frisco and is the Texas League pitcher of the year. Rangers Insider follows at 11 a.m., and Rangers Hall of Fame outfielder Rusty Greer will be a guest.

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103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS

Galloway & Company: Elvis Andrus

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus joins Galloway & Company to discuss having Scott Boras as his agent, his new contract and having Jurickson Profar in the lineup.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Ron Washington

Rangers manager Ron Washington joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett for his weekly visit to discuss Yu Darvish's pitch count and how he spends time in the clubhouse during weather delays.

Galloway & Company: Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan joins Galloway & Company for his weekly visit to discuss the latest Rangers news.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Reid Ryan

Reid Ryan joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss his new position with the Houston Astros and whether he could see his dad, Nolan, joining him there in the future.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Jayson Stark

ESPN MLB Insider Jayson Stark joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss if the Rangers are the best team in baseball, what makes them so good and if he thinks the team will trade Jurickson Profar.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Jim Bowden

Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss Ron Washington's decision to send Yu Darvish to the mound for the eighth inning Thursday night and how he would handle a situation like that if he were still a GM.

Galloway & Company: Rangers talk

Randy Galloway, Matt Mosley and Glenn "Stretch" Smith discuss the latest Rangers news, including the Yu Darvish-Justin Verlander matchup.

Galloway & Company: Nelson Cruz

Nelson Cruz joins Galloway & Company to discuss the Rangers' series in Oakland, his ups and downs at the plate and if the PED talks before the season were a distraction.

TEAM LEADERS

WINS LEADER
Yu Darvish
WINS ERA SO IP
7 2.84 91 66
OTHER LEADERS
BAI. Kinsler .302
HRN. Cruz 11
RBIN. Cruz 33
RE. Andrus 29
OPSM. Moreland .905
ERAY. Darvish 2.84
SOY. Darvish 91

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