9th Inning Nailbiter; Indians 2-0 After 4-3 Win Over Rangers – Three Takeaways from the Victory

The magic number for the Indians is down to 160. Funny, but there were plenty of tweets in the final moments of Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers in

The magic number for the Indians is down to 160. Funny, but there were plenty of tweets in the final moments of Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas that read like it was game seven again of the World Series.

Tensions were high after former Indian Mike Napoli got it to a one-run game with no outs in the 9th, but as we'll chat about Cody Allen showed some Texas sized heart in getting out of it and helping the Indians get the win.

As we will do daily, here's three takeaways from the win over the Tribe as they get to 2-0, and look to close out their first series of the season with a sweep on Wednesday against the Rangers.

3. Have Any Fingernails Left?

How unreal is it that here it is game two, and Indians fans were sweating out this win as if a playoff spot was on the line?

In some respects, it's awesome how engaged the fans are already with this team, and in some ways, fans better understand there's going to be some nights it just won't go the Tribe's way even if they do enter the 9th with a two-run lead.

But on this night in early April, fans can go go bed happy, as Cody Allen gave up two hits to start the 9th, including a double to former Indian Mike Napoli to make it a one-run game, but was able to get the job done.

He rallied, having to throw a total of 25 pitches to do it, but he got ahead in the count on the next three batters, and struck out all three, including Joey Gallo who slammed a two-run homer earlier in the game.

Fans are already tweeting that Allen is going to give them high blood pressure before the season ends, but in the end results matter and he's 2-for-2 in saves two games in.

2. Top of the Order Magic

The Indians were able to grind out seven hits on the night, and four of them went to two of the top three guys in the lineup, Carlos Santana and Michael Brantley.

CSan slammed a homer to start the night for the Tribe and give them a fast 1-0 lead, and Brantley was able to get in a huge insurance run in the 7th, driving in a run with a single that scored Austin Jackson.

It's just two games in, but Santana is hitting .500 and Brantley .333.

The second guy in the order, Francisco Lindor, we hear he's pretty good too. He was 0-for-3 Tuesday, but was able to draw a walk in the win.

1. Solid Start for Carlos

The season ended early for Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco when he was hit on the hand against the Detroit Tigers in September, but Tuesday he was back on the mound, and looked good in going 5.2 for the Tribe and setting the tempo in the win.

He threw 78 pitches, 53 of which were strikes, allowing two runs on four hits, and as stated earlier the two runs came on one swing, a long moonshot by Rangers 3B Joey Gallo to make it a 3-2 lead for the Tribe in the 3rd.

Carrasco also had his strikeout pitch going, as he set down seven Rangers, and the Indians pitching staff as a whole was able to retire 10 Rangers on whiffs on the night.

The finale of the three-game set takes place on Wednesday night as the Tribe will go for the sweep over the Rangers. Cleveland sends Danny Salazar to the mound as he battles Cole Hamels for the Rangers at 8:05pm.