Carlos Santana blasted two homers in Texas last night, but that was trumped by the Rangers hitting four long-balls off of Justin Masterson and the Indians’ bullpen, and the Rangers retained their three-game lead in the AL West with a 10-4 victory.
Something about Texas brings out the worst in the Tribe, and that proved true again last night, as Masterson (11-10) lasted five innings and gave up six runs. Nick Hagadone was charged with two runs without ever retiring a batter, and Zach Putnam worked an inning in his Major League debut, allowing a homer to the first batter he faced and eventually surrendering two runs on three hits.
Matt Harrison improved to 12-9 for the Rangers with five innings of three-run ball, and three Texas relievers combined to hold the Tribe to one run in four innings.
Santana homered from each side of the plate, becoming the first Indians’ switch-hitter since Victor Martinez in 2007 to accomplish that feat in the same game. Carlos now has 23 homers in 2011.
The Rangers got two home runs from David Murphy and one each from Adrian Beltre and Josh Hamilton in improving to 7-1 vs. Cleveland this season.
Santana’s first homer tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth, and after Texas went back ahead in the bottom half on Murphy’s second tater, Jason Kipnis tied things again at 2-2 with an RBI double in the fifth, scoring Kosuke Fukudome.
But Masterson could not hold the fort and keep the game tied, giving up two runs in the bottom of the fifth to make it 4-2 Texas. Santana scored on a wild pitch in the sixth to cut the Rangers’ lead to one, but Texas added four in their half to pretty much put the game away.
Santana’s second homer (and third hit of the night) finished the scoring in the eighth.
The Indians will try again tonight at 7:05 when David Huff faces Derek Holland.