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.
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