Travis Hafner hit a grand slam, and Cliff Lee pitched six solidinnings to spark the Cleveland Indians to a 6-3 victory against theMinnesota Twins in their home opener Monday.
Hafner connected in the third inning against losing pitcher KyleLohse (0-2), and Matt Lawton added a solo shot in the seventh to helpthe Indians end a three-game losing streak.
"It's the kind of thing you dream about as a kid," Hafner said."That's a highlight of my career."
The Indians went 2-5 on a season-opening road trip they couldblame squarely on their bullpen. But Lee (1-0), who allowed five hitsin six innings and induced three double plays, handed over a 5-2 leadthat the Indians' relievers finally protected.
Jack Cressend worked a one-hit seventh and Rafael Betancourt aperfect eighth before David Riske, who has blown two games, gave up arun in the ninth. The Twins brought the tying run to the plate withone out, but Riske got Cristian Guzman to fly out and struck outShannon Stewart.
"I told myself, This is not going to happen again,"' Riske said."I pitched mad."
During pregame ceremonies, the Indians celebrated their first 10years at Jacobs Field by unveiling a new $7 million scoreboard thatlivens up the ballpark.
RANGERS 7, ANGELS 6: Brad Fullmer burned his former team with athree-run double to cap a five-run sixth inning, and Hank Blalockwent 3-for-5 with a two-run single to spark host Texas past Anaheim.Blalock finished the four-game series with 10 hits.
Carlos Almanzar (1-0) earned the victory by pitching a perfectinning in relief of shaky starter Colby Lewis. Francisco Corderoallowed two runs in the ninth before retiring the side for his secondsave.
The Angels played without third baseman Troy Glaus, who sat outwith a strained left hamstring.
AP
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