(My Sportsbook) - Carl Pavano hopes to put four tumultuous seasons in New York behind him this afternoon, as he starts anew with the Cleveland Indians, who are trying to salvage the finale of their season-opening three-game series with Texas at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Pavano signed a four-year, $40 million deal with the Yankees prior to the start of the 2005 campaign, but injuries limited him to just 26 starts for them, 17 of which came in his first season with the team.

The 33-year-old right-hander missed all of 2006 and appeared in just two games for the Yankees in 2007 before going 4-2 with a 5.77 earned run average in seven starts for them down the stretch last season.

Pavano, who agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Tribe this past winter, has never faced the Rangers.

Texas starter Brandon McCarthy is also no stranger to the disabled list, as he missed most of the 2008 season with severe right elbow inflammation. The righty made just five starts - all in August and September - and posted a 1-1 mark to go along with a 4.09 ERA.

McCarthy is 3-1 with a 2.36 ERA in five starts against the Indians.

Texas continued its early-season offensive onslaught on Wednesday, as Nelson Cruz homered twice and knocked in three runs, lifting the Rangers to an 8-5 victory. Elvis Andrus went 2-for-4, smacking his first MLB home run to go with two runs scored and two RBI for Texas, which last won two straight to open a season in 2000.

After pounding reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee in a 9-1 win on Monday, the Rangers managed seven extra-base hits on Wednesday.

Vicente Padilla (1-0) labored through 5 2/3 frames, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks, while striking out five for Texas.

Fausto Carmona (0-1) was shelled for six runs on seven hits and two walks through five frames. Ben Francisco hit a two-run homer and Ryan Garko added a pair of RBI in the loss.

The Indians have not been swept in a season-opening series since 1985.

On the injury front Texas catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia left Wednesday's game in the eighth inning with some light-headedness from an inner ear inflammation. He is questionable for today's tilt.

Cleveland was 6-4 against the Rangers last season, winning five of the seven games played in Texas.