Written by Adam Burke

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The Indians ended August pretty much the way they played all month. They lost again. They lost for the 24th time in August, but more on that later. They got another less than quality start. They waited until the game was pretty much decided to start their rally. The Indians lost the series opener to the Texas Rangers 5-3, managing single hits in the fourth, fifth, and eighth before Casey Kotchman hit a two-run homer in the ninth. It was another disappointing night at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.

Ubaldo Jimenez, all things considered, wasn't horrible against the Rangers tonight, but he wasn't very good either. He put the Indians behind in the first inning with a single, a walk, and a RBI single from Adrian Beltre, who had more hits in his five at bats than the Indians had in their 29. It was a typical Jimenez inning in that he gave up a run, struck out two, walked a guy, and threw a wild pitch.

In the third, Jimenez gave up two more runs, when Michael Young and Daniel Murphy each had two-out RBI singles. While all of this was going on, the Indians were busy getting no hit until there were two outs in the fourth inning. Elvis Andrus's error on a possible double play ball allowed the inning to continue for Carlos Santana, who singled home Asdrubal Cabrera. That would be the lone run for the Indians on the night and it was unearned.

Jimenez gave up a triple and a RBI double in the sixth and that was it for him. In six starts in August, Jimenez managed to go six innings only one time. He went 5.2 innings, striking out seven, but allowed four runs on eight hits and walked three. He gave way to Esmil Rogers who gave up a run in the seventh on a Michael Young RBI single that drove in Beltre.

Casey Kotchman hit a two-run home run off Koji Uehara in the ninth inning to make the final score look a little bit better. It forced Rangers skipper Ron Washington to go and get his closer, something he certainly didn't want to do in a game that was 5-1 entering the ninth. Joe Nathan blew Brent Lillibridge away for the second out and  Jason Donald grounded out to end the game 5-3.

Cody Allen was impressive again tonight, serving as few of the few highlights for the Tribe. The Indians did draw four walks in the game, but it's hard to drive in runners when you manage only three hits. With the loss, Ubaldo Jimenez fell to 9-12 and the Indians fell to 55-77. Ryan Dempster picked up his fourth win in six starts with the Rangers.

Stat of the Night: With the loss, the Indians became the 46th team in MLB history to lose 24 or more games in a month. The last team to accomplish such a feat, outside of the 2012 Houston Astros, was the 2002 Baltimore Orioles. It was the team's worst month since July 1914.

Player of the Game: Cody Allen. He continues to throw hard and continues to throw strikes. He could be a seventh or eighth inning bridge to Vinnie Pestano next year, depending on what Pestano's role is.

Tomorrow's Game: The Indians could not be happier to turn the calendar to September. Of course, it may not matter, but at least it's a new month. Scott Feldman goes for the Rangers against Roberto Hernandez for the Tribe.