Scott Feldman started the season in the
bullpen. He'll end it as a Cy Young award candidate.
Feldman (16-4) pitched seven shutout innings, Esteban German
went 5 for 5 and Marlon Byrd hit a three-run homer as the Texas
Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 10-0 on Wednesday, completing a
three-game sweep within 24 hours.
Feldman tied New York's CC Sabathia and Detroit's Justin
Verlander for the AL lead in victories despite not entering Texas'
rotation until April 25. Verlander was scheduled to pitch Wednesday
night at Kansas City.
Feldman allowed five hits and struck out five to win his eighth
consecutive road start, a new club record. His 12 road victories
this year are also a new team mark and tops in the AL.
"I think it's a pretty humbling game, so you can't get too high
or low," Feldman said. "I just try to focus on my next start and
stay prepared."
Feldman has been one of the biggest surprises in the AL after
entering this season with a 7-13 career mark and a 4.97 ERA. He has
allowed one earned run in his last four starts, going 4-0 with a
0.34 ERA.
"I know he's getting credit in Texas, I don't know if he's
getting it other places," Rangers manager Ron Washington said.
"As long as he keeps winning ball games, I couldn't care less if
he gets (attention) nationally. It'd be nice for Feldman, but it's
all about us right now."
The victory assures Texas will keep pace with Boston in the AL
wild card standings. The Rangers entered the day two games behind
the Red Sox, who host Baltimore Wednesday night.
The Rangers, who started the day 4½ games behind the
division-leading Angels, return home Friday to open a nine-game
homestand against AL West opponents. Texas is 24-13 within the
division this year.
"It's a big one," Washington said. "It's going to be a tough
nine days. It's going to be huge."
The Rangers can only hope to hit the ball as well as they did
against the Indians.
Even without sluggers Josh Hamilton and Michael Young, who are
out with injuries, Texas battered Cleveland pitching during
Tuesday's doubleheader and then again on Wednesday. Indians
starters Carlos Carrasco, Aaron Laffey and Carmona combined to give
up 16 earned runs in just nine innings. The Rangers scored 31 runs
on 48 hits, including seven homers, in the three games.
"We certainly have been looking for this to happen with our
offense," Washington said. "I'm glad they're feeling good about
themselves because it's been awhile since we really put some runs
up. Hopefully this offense is finally putting it together."
Texas knocked out Tribe starter Fausto Carmona (3-10) with a
five-run first inning, then added five more in the ninth. Three of
the game's first four batters scored on Byrd's three-run homer, his
second in as many nights.
Byrd, who had been 0 for 12 lifetime off Carmona, went 9 for 14
in the series with two homers and seven RBIs. Ivan Rodriguez also
hit a two-run homer in the first inning and finished with three
RBIs.
Carmona lasted just two-thirds of an inning, the shortest start
of his career. He has battled with his mechanics this year, being
demoted to rookie ball in June.
"Today was a step back" for Carmona, Indians manager Eric
Wedge said. "That goes without saying. Today was not a good day."
Carmona left without speaking to reporters.
German more than doubled his batting average to .320 with his
perfect day at the plate. The five hits are a new career high after
he entered with three hits for the season.
It marked the first time Texas swept a series in Cleveland since
1992. Texas improved to 8-1 against the Indians this year.
Notes: SS Elvis Andrus extended his hitting streak to 12 games
with a single in the first. ... Hamilton is questionable for the
start of the Rangers' homestand Friday. He received a second shot
for a pinched nerve in his back Monday. ... 3B Michael Young
(strained left hamstring) could return during the Rangers'
homestand. He's playing catch, but has yet to resume other baseball
activities. ... Indians OF Grady Sizemore had surgery on Wednesday
to relieve inflammation in his left elbow. He will have lower
abdominal surgery next Wednesday.
