The Tampa Bay Rays (60-40) fell to the Cleveland Indians (49-48) 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The Rays fell one game behind the Red Sox for first place in the American League East.
The Rays got the scoring started in the first when Austin Meadows drove in a run, but Cleveland promptly answered in the bottom of the first when Cesar Hernandez hit a solo homer to tie the game 1-1. In the sixth inning Nelson Cruz hit a line drive home run to left that gave the Rays a 2-1 lead, and it looked like that might be enough.
Unfortunately for the Rays, Cleveland was able to rally in the bottom of the eighth inning, getting a RBI single from Harold Ramirez and a sacrifice fly from Bobby Bradley to take a 3-2 lead. That would be the final score as Cleveland would avoid being swept in the four game series by the Rays, as well as avoid being swept in the season series against Tampa Bay.
Ryan Yarbrough gave the Rays seven good innings in which he allowed one earned run on five hits while striking out six and walking one. Matt Wisler (3-4, 4.23) got pegged with the loss out of the bullpen, allowing two earned runs on two hits while only getting one out.
The Rays are now off on Monday before beginning a nine-game homestand on Tuesday. The homestand begins with a three game series against the Yankees. First pitch between the Rays and Yankees is scheduled for 7:10 PM on Tuesday - pregame coverage with Neil Solondz begins at 6:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES