Indians Vs. Rangers Final Score: Cleveland Edges Texas In Series Finale, 4-2

It took some strategy to get the job done, but the Cleveland Indians pulled off a series victory over Texas on Sunday with a 4-2 win in the final game. The Indians and manager Manny Acta utilized a lineup that featured all left-handed batters, which made things strenuous on Rangers starter Yu Darvish.

Despite striking out 11 men over just six innings, Darvish left the game behind 4-0 on the scoreboard after scattering six hits with four walks. The Rangers mounted a rally in the eighth behind consecutive RBI from Josh Hamilton and Michael Young, but could only muster two runs before Cleveland's bullpen shut the door.

Newly-signed outfielder Johnny Damon finished 2-for-4 with a run scored for his first multi-hit game in a Cleveland uniform, and looks to be a boon to the top of the lineup as the team's leadoff hitter. The Indians represent the seventh team of Damon's career, and the fourth in as many years, but the veteran outfielder still has enough pop in his bat to be a legitimate asset for a playoff-caliber team.

Starter Ubaldo Jimenez picked up the win for Cleveland to reach 3-2 on the year, and turned in one of his better starts of the season (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 K). The 15-11 Indians now shift their focus to a pivotal four-game series with the Chicago White Sox on Monday, and will send Josh Tomlin to the mound in game one.

For more on the Indians, head over to Let's Go Tribe. For more on the Rangers, be sure to check out Lone Star Ball. And for more MLB news and analysis, make sure to visit Baseball Nation.

Indians Vs. Rangers Score Update: Ubaldo Jimenez Strong, Cleveland Leads 4-0 After Six Innings

Manny Acta's bold decision to put forth an all-lefty lineup on Sunday appears to have paid off, as the Cleveland Indians lead Texas 4-0 after six innings behind a strong performance from starter Ubaldo Jimenez.

Cleveland hitters have routinely forced Texas pitcher Yu Darvish to work deep into counts, despite a whopping 11 strikeouts by the Japanese import after just six frames. Darvish issued four free passes and yielded six hits, but needed an inordinately-high 112 pitches to make it out of the sixth.

For the Indians, Jimenez has been the headliner he's often billed as, and has given up just two hits all game to a potent Texas lineup. Jimenez currently sports a less-than-ideal 4:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, but remains in line to get the win and move to 3-2 on the year.

Offensively, Asdrubal Cabrera continued his hot streak from the the plate with a two-run double in the third, while Jason Kipnis added a solo shot in the 5th to give the Indians a 4-0 advantage.

For more on the Indians, head over to Let's Go Tribe. For more on the Rangers, be sure to check out Lone Star Ball. And for more MLB news and analysis, make sure to visit Baseball Nation.

Indians Vs. Rangers Starting Lineups: Cleveland To Use 9-Lefty Lineup Against Yu Darvish

Desperate to win a pivotal three-game series with Texas in Sunday's finale, Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta has opted to play the odds, and will send a 9-lefty lineup to the plate against Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish.

Darvish has been knocked around to the tune of a .263 average by lefties this season, despite holding right-handed batters to just .196. With a miniscule 0.98 ERA over his last four starts making his decision a tad easier, Acta is hoping to stack his lineup to make things as tough as possible for the first-year Japanese star.

Opposing Darvish is Cleveland pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, who enters on a skid with 14 walks over his last three starts. Jimenez remains one of the most pivotal pieces of the Indians pitching staff going forward, but still needs to work on his control to inspire confidence that he truly deserves a top spot in the rotation.

Here are the starting lineups for Sunday's game:

Cleveland -- 1. Johnny Damon lf; 2. Jason Kipnis 2b; 3. Asdrubal Cabrera ss; 4. Travis Hafner dh; 5. Carlos Santana c; 6. Shin-Soo Choo rf; 7. Michael Brantley cf; 8. Casey Kotchman 1b; 9. Jack Hannahan 3b; Ubaldo Jimenez rhp.

Texas --1. Ian Kinsler 2b; 2. Elvis Andrus ss; 3. Josh Hamilton cf; 4. Michael Young 1b; 5. David Murphy lf; 6. Nelson Cruz rf; 7. Mitch Moreland dh; 8. Yorvit Torrealba c; 9. Alberto Gonzalez 3b; Yu Darvish rhp.

For more on the Indians, head over to Let's Go Tribe. For more on the Rangers, check out Lone Star Ball. And for more MLB news and analysis, be sure to visit Baseball Nation.

Indians Vs. Rangers: Cleveland Looks To Bounce Back Against Texas

The Cleveland Indians (14-11) look to bounce back with a win to take their weekend series against the Texas Rangers (18-9), after the Rangers earned a 5-2 win on Saturday in extra innings.

Despite the loss on Saturday, the Indians continue to show they belong among to top teams in the American League, but they will face tough challenge on Sunday as the Rangers will start impressive rookie pitcher Yu Darvish. The right-handed rook is 4-0 with a 2.18 ERA which earned him AL Rookie of the Month honors for April. In his last three starts, Darvish has given up a combined two earned runs in 21.2 innings.

Cleveland will counter with right-hander Ubaldo Jiminez who enters the game with a 2-2 record and 5.02 ERA. Jiminez has taken a loss in his last two outings.

The game starts at Progressive Field at 1:05 p.m. ET and will be televised.

More on the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers can be found at their respective SB Nation blogs, Let's Go Tribe and Lone Star Ball. More news and analysis on Major League Baseball in general can be found at Baseball Nation.

Indians Vs. Rangers Final Score: Cleveland Downed By Texas In Extra Innings, 5-2

The Cleveland Indians nearly pulled off an impressive late-inning comeback on Saturday, but instead fell in the 11th inning to the Texas Rangers in a disheartening 5-2 defeat. Cleveland reliever Joe Smith took the loss to move to 1-1, while Texas flamethrower Alexei Ogando picked up his first win of the year.

Behind for much of the game, Asdrubal Cabrera finally put Cleveland on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth with a double that plated outfielder Michael Brantley. A passed ball allowed infielder Jason Kipnis to score shortly thereafter, which tied the game at two apiece and was enough to force extra innings.

The two teams could not muster any offense until the top of the 11th, when Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre, who was called into the game to pinch hit, knocked a three-run homer to center field to give the Rangers a 5-2 advantage. Unable to mount a comeback in the bottom half against Texas closer Joe Nathan, the Indians fell to a dismal 5-8 at home and 14-11 overall with the loss.

Offensively, the Indians were paced by Cabrera, who finished 4-for-5 with a run driven in, and leadoff hitter Michael Brantley, who went 2-for-5 with a double. While it might be bothersome that Cleveland hitters were stymied by Texas starter Derek Holland (7.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6 K) for much of the day, it's at least somewhat promising that an ice-cold offense still managed to rally down the stretch.

The Indians will look to get back in the win column on Sunday in the series finale, and will send Ubaldo Jimenez to the mound to face Texas' Japanese import Yu Darvish.

For more on the Indians, head over to Let's Go Tribe. For more on the Rangers, check out Lone Star Ball. And for more MLB coverage, be sure to visit Baseball Nation.

Indians Vs. Rangers: Starting Lineups For Saturday

The Cleveland Indians will look to extend a three-game winning streak to four on Saturday night, when they host the Texas Rangers in the second game of a three-game weekend set. On Friday night the Tribe managed to pull together an impressive 6-3 win against the Rangers and will look to build off that performance on Saturday.

Here are the projected starting lineups:

Cleveland

1. Michael Brantley, Center Field

2. Jason Kipnis, Second Base

3. Asdrubal Cabrera, Short Stop

4. Carlos Santana, First Base

5. Travis Hafner, Designated Hitter

6. Shin-Soo Choo, Right Field

7. Shelley Duncan, Left Field

8. Jack Hannahan, Third Base

9. Lou Marson, Catcher

Starting Pitcher: Derek Lowe

Texas

1. Ian Kinsler, Second Base

2. Elvis Andrus, Short Stop

3. Josh Hamilton, Center Field

4. Michael Young, First Base

5. David Murphy, Left Field

6. Nelson Cruz, Right Field

7. Mike Napoli, Catcher

8. Mitch Moreland, Designated Hitter

9. Alberto Gonzalez, Third Base

Starting Pitcher: Derek Holland

More on the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers can be found at their respective SB Nation blogs, Let's Go Tribe and Lone Star Ball. More news and analysis on Major League Baseball in general can be found at Baseball Nation.

Indians Vs. Rangers: Cleveland Tries To Remain On A Roll Against Texas

The Cleveland Indians (14-10) continue marching into May atop the American League Central Division as they look to win their fourth consecutive game on Saturday evening when the host the Texas Rangers (17-9).

The Indians beat the AL West leaders on Friday night as Johnny Damon showed he still has some speed, putting the game away with a two-run triple. Cleveland has benefited from some old pros producing all season, including Satruday's starting pitcher Derek Lowe.

The right-handed Lowe appears rejuvenated in 2012 after struggling with Atlanta last season as he enters his start against the Rangers with a 4-1 record and a 2.27 ERA. Lowe really found his groove in his last start, shutting out the Los Angeles Angels for seven and two thirds innings and allowing just three hits.

The Rangers will counter with left-hander Derek Holland on the mound. Holland has had mixed results in his five starts so far this season, logging a 2-2 record with a 5.13 ERA but he does have 29 strikeouts in 33 innings pitched.

The game starts at Progressive Field at 7:05 p.m. ET.

More on the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers can be found at their respective SB Nation blogs, Let's Go Tribe and Lone Star Ball. More news and analysis on Major League Baseball in general can be found at Baseball Nation.

Indians Vs. Rangers: Tribe Stays Hot In 6-3 Win

Travis Hafner hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth inning on Friday night to break a tie with the Texas Rangers. Hafner's pop up to center scored Jason Kipnis. It proved to be the winning run in a 6-3 Indians win in front of a home crowd barely over 16,000.

Right-hander Jeanmar Gomez pitched seven solid, if unspectacular innings for his second win of the season. Gomez struck out two and walked one while allowing eight hits. Closer Chris Perez picked up his 10th save of the season.

Shin-Soo Coo hit a two-run home run in the second inning. It was his first hit since sitting out with a hamstring injury earlier this season. Johnny Damon scored two on his seventh inning triple that gave the Indians a pair of insurance runs.

It was the first loss of the season for Texas starter Colby Lewis, who gave up six earned runs on 10 hits.

Cleveland has two more games over the weekend against Texas. If they can win one more, it would give the Tribe its third consecutive series win.

More on the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers can be found at their respective SB Nation blogs, Let's Go Tribe and Lone Star Ball. More news and analysis on Major League Baseball in general can be found at Baseball Nation.

Indians Vs. Rangers: Projected Starting Lineups For Friday

On Friday night, the Cleveland Indians (13-10) and Texas Rangers (17-8) will play game one of a three-game set this weekend at Progressive Field. Both teams will come into the series as the respective leaders of their divisions and will look to build upon their leads. Friday will be the first meeting between the two teams this season.

Indians Vs. Rangers: Cleveland Starts Set Against Tough Texas Team

The Cleveland Indians will host the Texas Rangers for a three game set starting on Friday, in a battle of two division leading teams.