Kipnis' 2-run HR in 9th gives Indians 10-8 win over Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Jason Kipnis had three hits, including a tiebreaking two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning that lifted the Cleveland Indians to a 10-8 victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night.

The Indians have won consecutive games for the first time since their season opening series at Houston.

Kipnis, the American League's leading hitter in May, has an eight-game hitting streak and has 10 multi-hit games this month. Since moving into the leadoff spot on April 26, Kipnis is hitting .425.

Scott Atchison (1-1) picked up the win despite allowing a home run to Robinson Chirinos in the bottom of the eighth that put Texas ahead 8-7. Cody Allen got the last three outs for his sixth save.

The Indians tied it in the ninth on Jose Rammirez's run-scoring grounder, and Kipnis homered off Neftali Feliz (1-2) for the major league-leading 19th against Texas relievers this season.

Chirinos finished with three hits for the Rangers.

Both starters struggled. Texas' Colby Lewis gave up three runs in the first inning -- more than his previous three starts -- and allowed six runs, five earned, in five innings. Cleveland's Danny Salazar gave up seven runs, five earned, on nine hits in 4 2-3 innings.

The Rangers took a 7-6 lead with three runs in the fifth inning. The go-ahead run came in when Elvis Andrus stole second base and came around to score when catcher Roberto Perez's throw caromed off his left leg into left field.

The Rangers went into the game having lost seven straight to Cleveland going back to last season.

Shin-Soo Choo also had three hits for Texas. That included his fifth home run of the season, his third in five games.

Lonnie Chisenhall had three hits for Cleveland.

The Indians staked Salazar to a three-run lead in the first inning, highlighted by an RBI double by Michael Bourn.

Cleveland's six pitchers included Austin Adams, who was brought up from Triple-A Columbus on Saturday after veteran Bruce Chen was designated for assignment.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: LHP T.J. House (left shoulder inflammation) is expected to pitch five innings with Columbus in his next rehab outing after pitching three hitless innings Friday night for Low-A Lake County. ... C Yan Gomes (right knee sprain) was scheduled to DH Saturday night for Lake County after catching three innings for Lake County on Friday.

Rangers: CF Leonys Martin (sore left wrist) returned to the lineup after missing three games. He went 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

UP NEXT

Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco (4-3) goes for his first career victory over Texas in his third start and fifth career appearance against the Rangers.

Texas RHP Nick Martinez (2-0) has struggled in May (4.24 ERA in three winless starts) after dominating in April (major league-leading 0.35 ERA in four starts). In his only career start against Cleveland, Martinez allowed eight earned runs in two innings last June.