Rangers 5, Indians 2, 11 innings. With AP Photos.
CLEVELAND -- Manny Acta's decision to pitch to Adrian Beltre in the 11th inning Saturday night did not work out well for the Cleveland Indians.
Beltre's three-run, pinch-hit homer off Joe Smith gave the Texas Rangers a 5-2 victory over Cleveland, breaking the Indians' three-game winning streak.
With a runner on second and two outs, Acta visited the mound and told Smith to intentionally walk Mitch Moreland, a left-handed hitter, to face Beltre, who was on deck to hit for Alberto Gonzalez.
Beltre, who hasn't started either game in the series because of a strained left hamstring, hammered a 1-0 pitch to center, a blast that carried 456 feet through a 16 mph wind.
"It was my decision," Acta said. "I don't second-guess myself. Some will work. Some will not. I'll sleep fine."
Smith (1-1) was aware of the fact Beltre was hitless in five at-bats against him going into the game.
"The boy can hit," Smith said. "That's for sure. You gotta bring your game when you face him. You leave a fastball up in the zone, apparently he doesn't miss those."
"He's always pitched good against Beltre, up until tonight," Acta said.
Beltre was also aware about his lack of success against Smith.
"I knew I didn't hit him well," Beltre said. "I didn't feel comfortable against him before. He threw a slider for a ball and then I was looking for something middle-away and got it."
Smith walked Craig Gentry to start the inning. Nelson Cruz hit what looked to be a double-play grounder to second baseman Jason Kipnis, but shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera dropped the ball before making the throw to first as Gentry was sliding into the bag.
Mike Napoli followed with a groundout so the inability to complete the double play hurt the Indians.
"We have to turn it," Acta said. "That team is just way too good to give them extra outs."
Alexi Ogando (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings and Joe Nathan worked the 11th for his seventh save.
Cleveland starter Derek Lowe dodged trouble all night, but held the Rangers to a run in the second and another in the fourth in pitching six innings.
Texas starter Derek Holland took a three-hit shutout into the eighth before the Indians tied the game. One-out singles by Michael Brantley and Kipnis ended his night.
With runners on first and third, Mike Adams relieved, but Cabrera, who was 4 for 5, hit a sharp grounder past first baseman Michael Young that scored Brantley and moved Kipnis to third.
Carlos Santana swung and missed at a 1-1 pitch, but the ball hit off Napoli's glove and rolled behind home plate as Kipnis scored the tying run. Cabrera moved to third, but Santana struck out and Travis Hafner grounded out.
"We couldn't push the third run across and win the ballgame," Acta said. "We had our opportunity in the eighth."
Lowe gave up nine hits and two walks. The right-hander bobbed and weaved through danger all night. He retired the side in order in the third. In the other five innings, Lowe allowed 11 base runners.
"You may laugh, but that was probably my best game I've had all year," Lowe said. "The game is easy when you can pretty much throw any pitch you want, but it's gratifying when you don't really have good stuff against a tough lineup. To only give up two runs is hard to do. Some of those innings, I wouldn't want to try again."
Game notes
Andrus's first-inning single gave him a hit in all 25 games he has played against the Indians in his career. ... Cleveland will recall RHP Zach McAllister from Triple-A Columbus on Monday to pitch one of the games of a day-night doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox. ... Cleveland acquired minor-league RHP Loek Van Mil from the Los Angeles Angels for cash. The Indians assigned the 7-foot-1, 255-pound native of The Netherlands to Double-A Akron.