Away Back Gone
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Reaction: Cleveland Indians surrender lead, rally late to beat Rangers in Arlington

By Cody Norman

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This game felt a lot like one the Cleveland Indians would win in recent seasons but, given the way they’ve played thus far in 2015, it was one fans likely expected to slip away. They struck first and built a nice cushion for starting pitcher Danny Salazar, who has pitched extremely well this season, but they surrendered the lead in the fifth — and again in the eighth — and appeared primed to lose yet again. That is, until Jason Kipnis came to the dish in the ninth and blasted a no-doubter into the right field seats to boost the Tribe to a 10-8 victory.

Key Moments

First Inning

The Indians kicked things off with three runs in the top of the first inning. Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley continued their incredible production at the top of the Tribe lineup, as they were drive in by David Murphy and Brandon Moss respectively. Michael Bourn. then, began a productive day with a two-out double to plate Moss. 

Fifth Inning

With the Tribe leading 6-4 heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Texas offense happened and stole the lead with a three-run fifth. Mitch Moreland doubled to score Adriana Beltre before Elvis Andrus plated Moreland on a two-out single. An error by Roberto Perez on a stole base attempt allowed Andrus to score and give the Rangers an advantage.

Ninth Inning

Down one and facing the Rangers’ closer Neftali Perez in the ninth, the Tribe rallied to score three runs and steal a win in Arlington. Lonnie Chisenhall started things off with a double and scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Jose Ramirez. Kipnis, though, was the hero as he clubbed a two-run blast deep to right to give the Indians the series win.

The Positives

-Cleveland’s offense was productive once again and tallied 14 hits, including at least one hit from all but two starters (Carlos Santana and Perez). Kipnis (3), Murphy (2), Moss (2), Chisenhall (3) and Bourn (2) all notched multi-hit games in an impressive offensive effort.

-Kipnis continued his ridiculous offensive tear in the month of May, tying a club record (set in 1942) by reaching base on three occasions for the seventh game in a row. The one-time All-Star second baseman is now hitting .340 with nine doubles, four home runs and 17 RBIs on the season.

More from Away Back Gone

-The Tribe had not won a series since the first series of the season in Houston and now have both series victories coming in the state of Texas. Cleveland will go for their first sweep of the season tomorrow afternoon with Carlos Carrasco on the hill.

The Negatives

-The Indians won this game in spite of their pitching and defense — not because of it. Danny Salazar allowed seven runs (five earned) in 4.2 innings pitched. Marc Rzepczynski and Scott Atchison, who earned the win, were not particularly effective out of the bullpen.

-Salazar and Perez both committed errors. Perez’s, in particular, was a significant blunder, as it allowed Andrus to score all the way from first base on a stolen base attempt.

Check It Out

-Carrasco will take on right-hander Nick Martinez (2-0, 1.88 ERA) as the Indians look for their first sweep of the season. Martinez was 2-0 with a 0.35 ERA in April, but has fallen off significantly in May. He has yet to record a decision in three starts, posting a 4.24 ERA in the month.

-Kipnis is off to an unprecedented first half of May. Following another strong performance, Kipnis is hitting .517 with a .590 on-base percentage with 12 extra-base hits, 17 runs scored and nine RBIs through just 17 days. It’s the type of offensive outburst the Tribe needed to kick-start a sputtering April offense.

Next: Reaction: Chen chased early in win

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