Indians comeback to win season opener 8-5

BY TIM SHIRER

SPORTS EDITOR

The 2016 American League champion Cleveland Indians took the field for the first time in 2017 on Monday night in Arlington, Texas at Globe Life Park, the home of the Texas Rangers. Things looked very bleak early as the Rangers struck first and eventually built a 5-1 lead off former Cy Young winner and Tribe starter Corey Kluber. Kluber then settled down, the bullpen took over and the Indians bats woke up and came back to win the game 8-5.

The Rangers took an early 1-0 on a solo home run by Rougned Odor in the second inning. The Indians struck right back when Francisco Lindor grounds into a double play and Abraham Almonte scored from third base to tie the game 1-1.

The problem was the long ball on Monday night for Kluber as on the first pitch of the bottom of the third inning Carlos Gomez pounded a fly ball over the center field fence to give the Rangers the lead back at 2-1. Then Kluber allowed a double to Nomar Mazara and the issued a base on balls to former tribesman Mike Napoli. Odor came through again for the Rangers when he launched the first pitch over the center field fence to give the Rangers a four-run lead at 5-1.

Then in the top of the fourth inning the Indians began to mount their comeback. After Edwin Encarnacion reached base on a single, his first as an Indian, Jose Ramirez belted his first home run of the season over the center field fence to pull the Indians to within two runs at 5-3. In the meantime, Kluber settled down retiring the final 11 batters he faced.

In the top of the seventh innings Indians rookie third baseman Yandy Diaz notched his first major league hit, a double to right field. Diaz then moved to third on a wild pitch by Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish. Darvish then got Almonte swinging, but Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy could not handle the third strike and Almonte was safe at first base and Diaz crossed home with the Indians fourth run.

The Indians finally tied the game in the top of the eighth inning on a 1-2 pitch, when Encarnacion smashed his first home run as an Indian over the left center field fence to knot the game 5-5.

The Indians put the game away in the ninth inning when they scored three runs. Tyler Naquin led off the inning with a single. After Diaz grounded out and Naquin moved to second base, Almonte singled and Naquin crossed home giving the Indians a 6-5 lead. Carlos Santana then doubled and Almonte scored the Indians seventh run. Finally, the Indians eighth and final run of the game came when with Santana at third after Lindor grounded out and Brantley singled to right and Santana scored.

Andrew Miller picked up his first win of the year for the Indians as he pitched one scoreless inning in the eighth, striking out striking out two Rangers. Cody Allen notched his first save of the season pitching allowing one hit and striking out three Rangers to end the game. Rangers closer Sam Dyson took the loss for the Rangers as he gave up all three runs in the ninth inning to fall to 0-1 on the year with a 40.50 ERA in two thirds of an inning.

The Indians and Rangers will play game two of their three game series on Tuesday night at 8:05 at Globe Life Park. Carlos Carrasco will make the start for the Indians on the mound. Lefty Martin Perez will tow the rubber for the Rangers.