Nathaniel Lowe was 5 for 5 with a three-run homer in the first inning, and the Texas Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 7-3 Tuesday night after adding another player to the COVID-19 list.
Lowe homered in the first, singled in the third, seventh and ninth, and doubled in the fifth. DJ Peters also hit a three-run homer in the ninth and drove in four runs. The win came at an opportune time for the Rangers, who placed catcher Jonah Heim on the COVID-19 list before the game, bringing their total to five players on the list. Texas’ scheduled starters for Wednesday and Thursday are not with the team because of health and safety protocols
Taylor Hearn (3-4) and four relievers held Cleveland’s offense in check after the Indians scored 17 runs in winning three straight. Hearn was pulled after the first two hitters reached in the sixth and was charged with three runs. The left-hander gave up solo homers to Daniel Johnson in the third and Yu Chang in the fifth. Texas was also coming off an 8-4 loss in Boston on Monday that ended with Travis Shaw’s grand slam in the 11th inning, but a quick start Tuesday provided a spark. Lowe homered deep into the right field seats in the first off Eli Morgan (2-6). Isiah Kiner-Falfea singled with one out and took third on Adolis García’s double. Lowe homered on a 1-2 pitch, his 13th of the season.
Texas scored again in the fifth on a a groundout by Peters, whose home run came off Bryan Shaw. The first two Cleveland hitters reached in the seventh, but Josh Sborz got out of the jam. Third baseman Andy Ibañez made a diving catch of Ernie Clement’s bunt attempt before Sborz caught Myles Straw’ low liner and threw to second to double-up Chang. Infielder Brock Holt and right-handers Drew Anderson and Mike Foltynewicz were placed on the COVID-19 IL on Monday. Infielder Charlie Culberson was put on the list last week.