Cleveland Indians rout Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 - MLB Update
The Cleveland Indians overpowered the league rivals Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 in the second outing of the three-game series at the Tropicana Field, Florida on Saturday, May 28.
Asdrubal Cabrera blistered a strong hit to deep centre-field to steal an RBI single off the Rays’ starter James Shields in the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. Then Carlos Santana hit a sacrifice to the right side of the field off the last pitch of
the inning to provide his team a strong 2-0 start.
Before the Rays’ starter could settled him down, Matt LaPorta knocked him down, hammering a 354-feet striking homer to the right side of the field. However, the score was 3-0 when the Rays’ third baseman Evan Longoria launched a dazzling 429-feet homer off
the Indians’ starter Carlos Carrasco in the third inning to trim the lead 1-3.
In the next inning, short-stop Sean Rodriguez drove in a line drive to the pitcher, scoring Matt Joyce and sending Casey Kotchman on second base. The game moved to 2-3.
Both starters did not allow any run in their later innings. James Shields completed his seven innings allowing three runs on seven hits, walking three but despite making eight strike-outs he had to bear his third loss of the season. Carrasco, on the other
hand, gave away two runs on seven hits and struck-out four batters without allowing any walk over six innings to earn his fourth win of the season.
"I put in my mind I have to win this game and that's what I did," Carrasco said.
The Indians’ manager Manny Acta appreciated Carrasco performance against the Rays.
"Carrasco gave us a chance," Acta said. "He threw the ball well, and was aggressive with his fastball."
As soon as Shields handed the ball to James Philip Howell, the Indians pinch-hitter Shelley Duncan hit an RBI triple to take the lead to 5-2. K. Farnsworth relieved
Philip but could not restrict Orlando Cabrera from making an RBI double that took the lead to 7-2 in the top of the eighth inning.
The Rays’ closer Juan Cruz did not allow any run in the top of the ninth inning.
The Indians’ relievers Vinnie Pestano, Tony Sipp, and closer Carlos Perez did not give any run over their short spells. Rafael Perez however gave an RBI single to the Jays’ Johnny Damon in the bottom of the ninth inning to trim the lead to 3-7.
Tags: