Santana powers Indians to 2-0 start
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Cleveland's Carlos Santana hit a leadoff homer and drove in a pair of runs as the Indians edged the Texas Rangers 4-3 on Tuesday night.
The win improved the Indians to 2-0, while Texas is off to its first 0-2 start since 2007.
The Santana-led offense helped make a winner of Carlos Carrasco (1-0), who had a 10.80 ERA in spring training but allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings Tuesday. He struck out seven and walked one.
Cleveland wasted no time in jumping on Texas starter Martin Perez (0-1) as Santana opened the game with a homer. An inning later, Santana helped push the lead to 3-0 as he followed an RBI single by Austin Jackson with one of his own.
The Rangers cut the lead to 3-2 in the second when Joey Gallo blasted a two-run homer to right. It was only the second hit in 29 at-bats for Gallo with the Rangers over the last two seasons, with both being homers.
Perez allowed three runs in six innings, walking four and striking out four. After allowing four hits in the first three innings, he gave up one over his final three.
Cleveland gave Carrasco some much-needed insurance in the seventh inning on an RBI single from Michael Brantley off Texas lefty Dario Alvarez.
The Indians needed that run because after 2 1/3 scoreless innings from the bullpen, Texas had a chance in the ninth. Mike Napoli lined a double off to wall in center to make it a one-run game, but Cody Allen came back and struck out Rougned Odor, Jurickson Profar and Gallo with the tying run at second.
Cleveland's bullpen has allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings in the series.
The Indians had seven hits, with Santana, Brantley and Jackson each accounting for two. Nomar Mazara and Gallo each had two hits for Texas.
NOTES: Texas RHP Keone Kela, who was optioned to Triple-A before the season because of his clubhouse behavior, was given an extra day to report to Round Rock. He's slated to report Wednesday. ... The four-run deficit overcome by the Indians on Monday marked the fourth time in club history Cleveland has overcome a deficit of at least four runs to win a season opener dating back to 1901. ... Cleveland OF Lonnie Chisenhall (right shoulder sprain) will begin a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Columbus and could be ready for the home opener Tuesday.