Rangers complete opening sweep of Indians

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers are 3-0 for the first time since 1996.

Marlon Byrd and Ian Kinsler hit long home runs and the Rangers completed their season-opening series with a 12-8 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday.

Byrd’s homer was a three-run shot that capped a five-run first off Carl Pavano (0-1), making his first start for Cleveland after being a free-agent bust with the Yankees the past four seasons. Byrd matched a career high with five RBIs.

Texas won its first seven games and went on to win its first AL West title in 1996. That was also the last time the Indians were 0-3, though they did win 99 games and the AL Central that season.

Story appears in Friday’s edition.