A matchup featuring Chris Archer and Carlos Carrasco normally means you'll see a defensive struggle. That was definitely not the case Monday.
Archer allowed seven runs in just five innings and walked a career-high six batters, though the Tampa Bay Rays rallied to make it a game before falling to the Cleveland Indians 8-7 at Progressive Field.
After Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead off Carrasco in the top of the first with an RBI double by Logan Morrison, Cleveland responded with a handful of runs off Archer. The Rays starter walked two of the first three hitters, with Carlos Santana driving in Jason Kipnis with a one-out base hit. Edwin Encarnacion then seemed to roll into a tailor-made double play, but slow throws by Tim Beckham and Brad Miller couldn't complete the twin-killing to let Michael Brantley score and break the tie. Archer then walked Jose Ramirez, and gave up a three-run homer to Lonnie Chisenhall, his fourth of the year.
Kevin Kiermaier cut the deficit to 5-2 in the top of the second with a solo shot off Carrasco, his third of the year, but the Indians again responded with a run of their own with Abraham Almonte, who tripled to start the inning, scored with Derek Norris' poor throw on a stolen base attempt by Kipnis went into centerfield for an error.
Each side also scored a single run each in the third, with Steven Souza Jr's sacrifice fly being matched by an RBI double by Yan Gomes.
Carrasco would leave the game after Brad Miller's RBI single in the fourth with pectoral tightness. Nick Goody gave up a RBI double to Evan Longoria to make it a 7-5 game.
The game remained 7-5 until Morrison's sacrifice fly off Andrew Miller in the eighth cut the deficit to just a single run, but Francisco Lindor responded with a solo homer, his ninth of the year, in the home half of the inning, and the eventual winning run.
Cody Allen allowed a solo shot by Peter Bourjos, his second on the season, but got Derek Norris to pop out for his tenth save of the season.
The loss drops Tampa Bay back to three games under .500 at 19-22.
The Rays will look to rebound Tuesday, when Jake Odorizzi (2-2, 2.61 ERA) takes on Danny Salazar (2-3, 5.20 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:10, with coverage on WDAE starting at 5:00 with The Inside Pitch, presented by Sykes Lakeland.
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