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 Right fielder David Murphy had four hits, center fielder Michael
Brantley added three and third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall continued
his demolition of Texas pitching with a home run as the Indians
routed the Texas Rangers 12-2 at Progressive Field.
"We haven't had many games like that," Indians manager Terry
Francona said. "We've had so many close games it's nice to play one
where we have some wiggle room, to be able to get some guys some
rest and not have all those stressful innings to pitch."
Right-hander Danny Salazar (4-4), throwing 98 mph in the first
inning, pitched six innings for the win.
"What I really liked about Danny tonight is that right from the get
go he was throwing his best stuff," Francona said. "When he feels
good physically, he has the ability to be a really good pitcher."
In three starts since being recalled from Triple-A Columbus, Salazar
is 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA.
"At Columbus, I worked on my secondary pitches and how to use my
fastball better," Salazar said.
Texas right-hander Jerome Williams (1-1) gave up 10 runs and 13 hits
in four innings.
"He left a lot of pitches out over the plate, a lot of deep counts.
Didn't have his changeup, didn't really have his breaking ball. And
he didn't command his fastball," Texas manager Ron Washington said.
"When he missed, they hit the ball. He got a lot of ground balls,
but they were hard-hit and they found holes."
In his last game against Texas on June 9, Chisenhall went 5-for-5
with three home runs and nine RBI. On Friday night, he was 2-for-5
with a home run and an RBI.
In Chisenhall's last two games against Texas, he is 7-for-10 with
four homers and 10 RBIs. In five games against the Rangers this
year, he is batting .545 (12-for-22) with four home runs and 14
RBIs.
Murphy, who spent the last six years playing for Texas before
signing with the Indians as a free agent during the winter, had two
singles and two doubles to raise his average against the Rangers
this season to .526 (10-for-19).
"Murph just shows up and give you an honest effort every day,"
Francona said.
Brantley, who has been hitting in tough luck lately, was 3-for-4
with two RBIs and only played the first five innings.
"Finally, somebody wasn't standing where Michael hit it," Francona
said.
Leading 5-1, the Indians blew the game open with a six-run fifth
inning. Both teams used most of the last four innings to rest some
of their regulars.
Cleveland took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI double by
Brantley against Williams.
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The Indians added two runs in the third inning to make it 3-0. Shortstop
Mike Aviles started the inning with a leadoff walk and went to second on
a single by Brantley. First baseman Carlos Santana singled home Aviles
before Brantley, who went to third on Santana's hit, scored when
Chisenhall hit into a double play.
With one out in the fourth inning, Murphy singled and went to second on
a single by left fielder Ryan Raburn. Aviles singled to drive in Murphy.
Brantley also singled, his third hit in the first four innings, to score
Raburn and extend the Indians' lead to 5-0.
Texas scored an unearned run in the top of the fifth inning to cut the
Cleveland lead to 5-1. But the Indians knocked Williams out of the game
with a six-run fifth inning that was highlighted by a two-run double by
Murphy -- the last batter Williams faced -- and a two-run single by
Aviles as the Indians extended their lead to 11-1.
"I wasn't executing pitches and that's when they were getting those
hits," Williams said. "When I did execute, they found a hole. It's all
on me. I didn't execute and that's what happens when you don't execute."
Chisenhall's solo home run leading off the sixth inning accounted for
Cleveland's 12th run.
NOTES: Before Friday night's game, the Indians designated RHP Zach
McAllister for assignment in a procedural move that will allow the
Indians to option McAllister to Triple-A Columbus. In 14 starts this
year, McAllister is 3-6 with a 5.91 ERA. ... The Indians also recalled
OF Tyler Holt from Triple-A Columbus. Holt is insurance for OF Chris
Dickerson, who is expected to be sidelined for a few days with left knee
discomfort. ... Texas C Geovany Soto began an injury rehab assignment
with Triple-A Round Rock on Friday night. Soto has been on the disabled
list since July 22 with a right groin strain.
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