Todd on the mound against Rangers last night.

By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

 It looks like the Texas Rangers are on a mission to make the playoffs this season, and defeated the homestanding Cleveland Indians last night in Cleveland, 5-0. That's notable for Kilgore residents because Kilgore's own Jess Todd pitched in the eighth inning, just his third appearance for the Indians, and fourth-ever Major League Baseball appearance, his very first against the Rangers. Jess and the Indians were trailing 2-0 when he entered the game in the top of the eighth. He only pitched in the eighth, allowing a hit, a run, and a walk, and struck out a batter. Todd is now 0-1 at Cleveland, having taken a loss at Chicago last week. He's got an ERA of 5.40 (which includes one appearance for the St. Louis Cardinals back in June). He's allowed only three hits and two runs, both earned, in 3 1/3 innings pitched. He has two strikeouts, having had one against the Minnesota Twins in his first appearance for the Indians last week, and then the one Wednesday night against the Rangers. Cleveland is out of the American League Central race and is getting looks at young players like Todd right now, as the season winds down. Kilgore sports fans will have to wait for next season, though, to possibly see Todd pitch in Arlington -- the Indians don't make another trip to Texas this season. Todd was just acquired by Cleveland as part of a trade on July 26. He spent the better part of his first two years in pro baseball in the Cardinals' organization, where he moved through the ranks quickly. Jess and the Indians were in a matinee game against Texas today to finish the series, and then visit the Twins for the weekend, beginning with a 7 p.m. start on Friday. As for the Rangers, they're in the thick of things in the AL playoff race, trying to secure at least the wild card, as they get ready to do battle with the Boston Red Sox. Check kilgorenewsherald.com for regular updates on Jess, as well as other former Kilgore-area athletes now in college or pro sports. Follow the News Herald on Twitter, keyword kilgorenews, and of course, the News Herald print edition on Wednesdays and Saturdays.