CLEVELAND (AP) — Two of the reasons for the Indians’ struggles early in the season were their defense and bullpen.
Both those problems helped cost Cleveland again on Monday as it snapped a six-game winning streak with a 10-8 loss to the Texas Rangers.
Two errors by relievers in the seventh led to the tying and go-ahead runs for the Rangers. With one out and the Indians leading 8-7, Delino DeShields singled to center. Marc Rzepczynski (1-2) tried to pick DeShields off first but threw the ball went into the stands. After Shin-Soo Choo grounded out to move DeShields to third, Prince Fielder drove him in with a single to left.
Zach McAllister came on and gave up a single to Adrian Beltre. Josh Hamilton then hit a weak grounder to McAllister, but the right-hander threw well over the head of first baseman Carlos Santana for a two-base error, allowing Fielder to score the go-ahead run.
“After all it was said and done, it came down to a ball that was hit probably 20 feet. And we talk about that a lot. You execute a really good pitch on a really dangerous hitter, you gotta get an out,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.
Cleveland’s bullpen is 3-7 with a 3.42 ERA. They led the majors last year in wins (35) and had a 3.09 ERA.
Elvis Andrus gave Texas an insurance run with a home run in the eighth inning. In the first, Fielder and Beltre had back-to-back homers to give the Rangers a 3-0 lead off starter Shaun Marcum, who allowed seven runs in 2 2/3 innings.
“I think the main thing was location,” said Marcum, who struck out six. “I was up pretty much most of the day even some of the outside I was up in the zone. When you don’t throw 95 (mph), not locating and pitching up in the zone it is going to be a tough day.”
The Indians rallied and led 5-3 after two innings on a solo home run by Santana, a three-run shot by Roberto Perez and a sacrifice fly by Michael Bourn. Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley had RBI doubles.
Tanner Scheppers (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the Rangers, who arrived in Cleveland at 4 a.m. after completing a three-game sweep in Yankee Stadium on Sunday night.
Shawn Tolleson pitched the ninth for his fourth save.
HAMILTON’S RETURN
Hamilton, slowed this year by shoulder surgery, was 0 for 3 with two strikeouts and a walk, and scored a run in his season debut.
The 2010 AL MVP was traded from the Angels back to Texas in late April. He finished a minor league rehab assignment on Saturday, batted fifth and started the game in left field. He was moved to right in the ninth inning.
TRAINER’S ROOM:
Rangers: Texas placed RHP Neftali Feliz on the 15-day disabled list. The right-hander has an abscess on his right side and had surgery in New York on Saturday. Feliz is 1-2 with a 5.09 ERA and six saves.
Indians: C Yan Gomes wasn’t in the lineup after playing for the first time Sunday since spraining his right knee April 11. Manager Terry Francona said Gomes will catch every other day for a week or two and could also be used at DH.
UP NEXT
Rangers: LHP Wandy Rodriguez allowed five runs and eight hits, both season highs, in an 8-3 loss to the Indians on May 15 in Texas.
Indians: RHP Danny Salazar was rocked against the Rangers on May 16 in Texas, allowing seven runs, including two homers in a short stint. He ended up with a no-decision in Cleveland’s 10-8 win.