Indians’ Carrera, Kipnis pummel Rangers closer in ninth

Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas

Jason Kipnis hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning off Joe Nathan and the Cleveland Indians snapped a five-game losing streak, beating the Texas Rangers 5-4 Thursday night.

The Rangers remain three games ahead of Oakland in the AL West after the Athletics lost to the Los Angeles Angels.

Nathan (2-4) had converted a club-record 31 straight save chances before the Indians erased a 4-2 deficit in the ninth. The right-hander’s only other blown save this season came April 11 against Seattle.

Ezequiel Carrera homered leading off the ninth. Pinch hitter Russ Canzler singled and Kipnis homered to chase Nathan, who did not record an out.

Scott Maine (1-0) got the final two outs in the eighth in his third appearance with the Indians this season. Chris Perez pitched the ninth for his 36th save in 40 tries, helping Cleveland avoid a three-game sweep.

The Rangers scored twice to take a 4-2 lead in the eighth with the help of two errors.

Elvis Andrus reached on shortstop Brent Lillibridge’s second throwing error of the game and scored when third baseman Jack Hannahan couldn’t handle Nelson Cruz’s grounder. Michael Young added an RBI single that gave the Rangers a two-run lead.

Texas slugger Josh Hamilton, who leads the majors with 41 home runs and 121 RBIs, missed the game with soreness in his left knee. Rookie Leonys Martin started in Hamilton’s place.

Hamilton left Wednesday night in the eighth inning and received an injection after the game. Texas manager Ron Washington said he doesn’t think it’s a serious injury and Hamilton is expected to be back in the lineup Friday.

Adrian Beltre got two hits as the designated hitter, a day after leaving early with a left shoulder injury. Beltre was not in the original lineup before he convinced Washington that he was healthy enough to play.

Matt LaPorta had three hits, including a two-run homer for the Indians, who are just 16-43 since the All-Star break.

Cleveland starter Zach McAllister allowed two runs and eight hits in six innings.