Kipnis blast lifts Indians in Texas

Associated Press

ARLINGTON, TEXAS

Jason Kipnis had three hits, including a tiebreaking two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning that lifted the Cleveland Indians to a 10-8 victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night.

The Indians have won consecutive games for the first time since their season opening series at Houston.

Kipnis, the American League’s leading hitter in May, has an eight-game hitting streak and has 10 multi-hit games this month. Since moving into the leadoff spot on April 26, Kipnis is hitting .425.

Scott Atchison (1-1) picked up the win despite allowing a home run to Robinson Chirinos in the bottom of the eighth that put Texas ahead 8-7. Cody Allen got the last three outs for his sixth save.

The Indians tied it in the ninth on Jose Rammirez’s run-scoring grounder, and Kipnis homered off Neftali Feliz (1-2) for the major league-leading 19th against Texas relievers this season.

Chen released

Pitcher Bruce Chen has been cut by the Cleveland Indians after going 0-1 with a 12.79 ERA in two starts.

Cleveland designated the 37-year-old left-hander for assignment on Saturday and recalled right-hander Austin Adams.

Chen allowed first-inning home runs to Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre, wasting a two-run lead in an 8-3 loss to Texas. Chen gave up three runs and seven hits in 21/3 innings.

Indians manager Terry Francona said Chen wanted to talk with his family about whether he should try to continue his pitching career.

Chen is 82-81 with a 4.62 ERA in 17 major league seasons. He pitched 6 1-3 innings since he was brought up on May 9 from Triple-A Columbus, where he had made five starts.

“He said, ‘I’m not effective right now against major league hitters,”’ Francona said.