The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)

Long ball leads Tribe past Rangers

- By Steve Herrick

Franmil Reyes drove a 451foot home run into the left field bleachers — one of four solo homers hit by Cleveland — and the Indians beat the Texas Rangers, 7-2, on Wednesday night.

Reyes’ blast off Wes Benjamin in the seventh landed about twothirds of the way up the bleachers and was his 23rd of the season, capping a big night for Cleveland’s offense.

Yu Chang homered for the second straight game and drove in two runs. ”scar Mercado and Austin Hedges also homered off left-hander Jake Latz, who gave up three home runs in his major league debut.

Latz (0-1) took the rotation spot of right-hander Dane Dunning, who became the sixth Rangers player to be placed on the COVID-19 injured list.

Mercado homered to the bleachers in left with one out in the second.

Chang’s towering fly ball barely cleared the wall in right with one down in the fifth. Hedges homered around the foul pole in left two batters later.

Zach Plesac (8-4) dodged trouble in each of the first five innings before giving up Jason Martin’s two-run homer in the sixth that cut Cleveland’s lead to 3-2.

Andy Ibañez drew a oneout walk in the sixth and Martin followed with his homer to right on an 0-2 pitch. Plesac was pulled after Jose Trevino’s twoout double, but James Karinchak struck out Yonny Hernández.

Plesac allowed two runs and scattered eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. The righthande­r struck out DJ Peters to end the third and Texas stranded eight runners in the first six innings.

The Rangers have been forced to make a flurry of roster moves over the past several days. Catcher Jonah Heim, infielders Charlie Culberson and Brock Holt, and right-handers Drew Anderson and Mike Foltynewic­z were previously placed on the COVID-19 list. Right-hander Spencer Howard is not with the team because of health and safety protocols.

Cheering section

Latz, an Illinois native who pitched at nearby Kent State, had his contract selected from Triple-A Round Rock. He was given a nice hand when was pulled from the game in the fifth. Latz allowed three runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Take a break

The Indians placed righthande­r Triston McKenzie on the 10-day injured list because of shoulder fatigue. McKenzie dominated in winning his last two starts, allowing one run and three hits with 19 strikeouts in 15 innings. President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said the move is a precaution and he expects McKenzie’s stay on the IL to be short.

Trainer’s room

Indians: 1B Bobby Bradley (sore knee) was was hitless in three at-bats and drew a walk in a minor league rehab game at Class Lake County on Wednesday night.

Up next

Rangers: RHP Jordan Lyles (6-10) will start the series finale after being moved up a day in the rotation. He allowed one run in seven innings against Boston on Aug, 21, his first win since July 9.

Indians: LHP Sam Hentges (1-4) will start Thursday. He pitched four innings when he started against the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 20.

 ?? TONY DEJAK — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? The Indians’ Franmil Reyes celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Rangers on Aug. 25 in Cleveland.
TONY DEJAK — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Indians’ Franmil Reyes celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Rangers on Aug. 25 in Cleveland.

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