Sunday, April 28, 2002
Rangers 4, Indians 2
The Associated Press
ARLINGTON, Texas — Rob Bell wants to make the most of his second chance at securing a spot in the Texas Rangers' rotation. Bell won his first start of the season, and Alex Rodriguez drove in two runs, leading the Rangers over Cleveland 4-2 Saturday night, the Indians' 10th loss in 12 games.
Bell (1-0), recalled before the game from Triple-A Oklahoma, allowed one run and four hits in six innings.
“I only packed enough clothes for one start because I didn't want to come in with any expectations,” he said. “I have no clothes for this road trip, but luckily I can afford to buy some.”
Bell was 5-5 with a 7.18 ERA in 18 starts for Texas last year after he was acquired from Cincinnati. He was 3-0 with a 2.61 ERA in four starts for Oklahoma.
“Last year I struggled, so tonight I was nervous,” Bell said. “You have to prove yourself again.”
Bell, who won for the second time in his last 11 major league starts, lost 15 pounds and worked on his conditioning over the winter, but he was told he had no chance to earn a spot in the rotation during spring training because the Rangers had remade their pitching staff in the offseason.
“He was a professional all spring,” Rangers manager Jerry Narron said. “He wasn't happy with the way things were going for him but he kept working hard and it's paid off for him.”
Last season, Bell was unable to control his breaking ball, his best pitch. But against the Indians, he had an effective breaking ball, fastball and changeup, and Narron said Bell would remain in the rotation, at least for now.
“He used all his pitches tonight,” Narron said. “He used both sides of the plate. I was pleased he competed as well as he did.”
The Indians were frustrated they were unable to get to Bell, who threw 102 pitches.
“Nothing against Rob Bell, but he didn't have enough to keep us from scoring tonight,” Cleveland's Matt Lawton said. “We just weren't able to get the big hits. That's the way it's been for us the last few weeks. But we can't give up. We have to continue to be patient and hit good pitches.”
Frank Catalanotto went 3-for-4 and Calvin Murray was 2-for-3 for the Rangers, who won for just the fifth time in their last 14 games. Hideki Irabu got three outs for his fourth save in five chances.
Irabu, a converted starter, is growing more comfortable in his new role.
“It's not an easy job,” Irabu said through the team's Japanese interpreter. “But I'm getting used to it. I like it. It's a very exciting job.”
Cleveland's Ellis Burks, who grew up in nearby Fort Worth, hit a solo homer in the eighth off Rudy Seanez, giving him home runs in 40 ballparks, the most in major league history. Fred McGriff and Mark McGwire homered in 39 ballparks.
The Indians have struggled since a 10-game winning streak improved the Indians to 11-1 on April 13. Danys Baez (3-2) allowed four runs and eight hits over seven innings, struck out five and walked none.
Rodriguez hit an RBI groundout in the first, and the Rangers made it 4-0 in the third on Catalanotto's run-scoring single, Rusty Greer's RBI triple and Rodriguez's sacrifice fly.
Travis Fryman tripled in the fourth after Catalanotto's attempt at a diving catch in left field got by him and rolled all the way to the wall, and Fryman scored on Brady Anderson's double.
Notes: Cleveland's Jim Thome had a 12-pitch at-bat in the first, fouling off eight straight pitches before striking out. ... Anderson's RBI was his first since April 6. ... Texas has won four of its last six against Cleveland. ... Baez had the longest outing of his major league career.
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Rangers 4, Indians 2 
