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Tuesday, May 15 8:05pm ET
Cabrera paces Indians with four RBI
RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME LOG

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Things are going so well for the Cleveland Indians that even utility players like Jolbert Cabrera are coming up with key hits.

Cabrera drove in a career-high four runs after collecting only five RBI in his first 31 games as the Indians won their 10th straight road game, 8-6 over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.

"He's a valuable player for us," Indians manager Charlie Manuel said. "He can play all the outfield positions, all around the infield. He's probably one of the best utility players in the game. He's a better hitter than you think and he's a good runner."

Cleveland was shut out by Tampa Bay on Sunday, 7-0, but the Indians' offense bounced back in their next game with a 16-hit attack against Texas.

"We had 10 guys come in today to hit early," Cabrera said. "Everybody on this team is hungry. The veteran guys are keeping us going."

The Indians, who haven't lost away from Jacobs Field since April 17 against Baltimore, are on their longest road winning streak in 63 years. Cleveland won 11 in a row on the road from Aug. 30-Sept. 23, 1938.

Cabrera had a two-run triple in the second and a two-run single in the fourth to help the Indians win for the 13th time in 15 games.

Ruben Sierra had his first career pinch-hit homer for the Rangers (13-25), who have lost 13 of 15 and are off to their worst start since 1985.

Indians rookie C.C. Sabathia (5-1) allowed three runs and six hits in five innings for his third consecutive victory. Sabathia struck out five and walked three.

Bob Wickman pitched the ninth for his fifth save, allowing an RBI single to Alex Rodriguez.

Sabathia fell behind 2-0 in the first inning. Rafael Palmeiro hit an RBI single and a second run scored when Andres Galarraga grounded into a double play.

But Cleveland took a 3-2 lead in the second on Einar Diaz's RBI double and Cabrera's two-run triple.

"That gives you a lot of confidence when you give up two in the first and then the offense comes back, scores some runs and gets you back into it," Sabathia said.

The Indians knocked out Rangers starter Doug Davis (2-4) with a three-run fourth. Cabrera had a two-run single off Davis and Roberto Alomar added a sacrifice fly off reliever Mark Petkovsek to make it 6-2.

Davis allowed six runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Ruben Mateo's RBI single in the fourth cut Cleveland's lead to 6-3, then Sierra's two-run homer in the sixth off Steve Reed made it a one-run game.

Sierra, one of the game's best players in the early '90s as a star with the Rangers, plays a different role these days.

"I try to be ready for every situation," Sierra said. "I'm always ready to DH or play the outfield, whatever the team needs. It (the pinch homer) was exciting, but it would have been more exciting to help the team win."

Jim Thome's pinch homer leading off the seventh pushed Cleveland's lead to 7-5 and Alomar added an RBI single in the eighth.

Game notes
Cleveland's Marty Cordova extended his hitting streak to 19 games with a second-inning single. ... Sabathia's five strikeouts matched his career high. ... The Indians are 12-4 on the road. ... The pinch homer was Thome's first. ... Sierra has 155 homers as a Ranger, moving him past Dean Palmer into fourth place on the club's career list. ... Petkovsek's 3 2/3 inning relief appearance was his longest since a four-inning stint for St. Louis on June 28, 1997. ... Wickman recorded the Indians' first save since April 27.

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RECAPS
Baltimore 11
Detroit 3

Kansas City 6
Tampa Bay 2

Boston 5
Minnesota 2

Cleveland 8
Texas 6

Toronto 9
Anaheim 3

Oakland 3
NY Yankees 2

Seattle 4
Chi. White Sox 3

Arizona 5
Cincinnati 1

San Francisco 7
Florida 4

Montreal 2
Los Angeles 0

Milwaukee 14
Philadelphia 10

St. Louis 8
Pittsburgh 3

NY Mets 1
San Diego 0

Atlanta 5
Colorado 3

Houston 9
Chicago Cubs 7





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