Hunter, Rangers Silence Indians Bats to Stay in Wild-Card Hunt
Texas got its bats working again on Wednesday night and silenced the Indians behind a scintillating effort from 23-year-old Tommy Hunter, who submitted 7 2/3 innings of six-hit ball before giving way to C.J. Wilson. Wilson was perfect over the final 1 1/3 innings, earning three strikeouts.
Fausto Carmona took the mound for Cleveland, and although his effort was far from disastrous, it wasn't good enough to keep a win within reach. He surrendered two runs on five hits in six solid innings, and although he came out of the game with little to show for it, his effort was encouraging: It was the first time since May 20 that he submitted a quality start.
Relievers Jess Todd, Rafael Perez and Jensen Lewis struggled through the final three innings, allowing three runs on four hits to let the game slip out of reach.
Slugger Josh Hamilton initiated the scoring in the third when his double drove in Elvis Andrus and Julio Borbon. It was a 2-0 game until the eighth, when Hank Blalock's single drove in a run, Omar Vizquel's sacrifice brought home Hamilton, and Andrus' single plated Blalock.
Hamilton led the Rangers offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. He and David Murphy were the only Texas batters to register more than one hit.
Grady Sizemore finished the night 3-for-4, but he was one of only three Indians to muster hits. Asdrubal Cabrera went 1-for-4 and Travis Hafner went 2-for-4.
