Rays Finally Solve Tribe, Take 2 of 3

Before the all star break the Indians and Rays played in Cleveland and the Indians swept the Rays 1,2,3,4, en route to the Rays season longest seven game losing streak, well at first it looked like the same old story with the Indians taking the first game, but then the Rays woke up and beat the Indians twice in a row to take the series in thrilling fashion.

In the first game the Rays had to go up against Cleveland ace, Cliff Lee. Lee beat the Rays last time he pitched against them and this time was no exception. Lee pitched seven innings giving up two runs on eight hits to pick up his 15 th win of the season. The Rays actually had chances in this game but Lee was able to shut them down when it counted. On the other hand, Matt Garza had a rough night. Garza gave up four earned through five innings and the Rays’ offense could not bail him out of this one. Asdrubal Cabrera and David Delluci homered off of Garza to lead the Tribe to a 5-2 victory. Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria, and BJ Upton went a combined 1-11 in the game.

One big inning is all it takes and the Rays got that big inning against the Tribe in the second game of this series. The Rays scored four runs in the seventh inning off of the Indians’ bullpen to break the game wide open and get the win 8-4. Evan Longoria hit a two-run shot for his 22 nd of the season, then Cliff Floyd followed with a solo shot for his 8 th of the year, and then Dioner Navarro got in on the barrage and he hit a solo shot for his 5 th of the season. That’s all it took for the Rays to take this game. Edwin Jackson was solid for the most part for the Rays as he gave up three earned and walked five through five and two thirds innings. He picked up the win to improve to 8-7 on the season. Fausto Carmona struggled with his control for the Tribe, he gave up four earned off three hits and walked five through four innings. Jhonny Peralta had a homer off of Jackson to lead the Tribe, but the Rays finally snapped their five game losing streak against the Indians.

> MLB Center has partnered with DFN Sports to offer a great selection of Tampa Bay Rays apparel & hats online through MLB Center & Pro baseball Fans today!

How about a thrilling comeback in a fantastic game for the finale of the series. Well you got it as the Rays rallied from a three run deficit and scored six runs in the ninth to down the Tribe 10-7. Not your classic pitchers’ duel as both starters struggled in this one. Tampa Bay got three runs early off of Jeremy Sowers, but Sowers calmed himself down and had a solid game after that giving up only the three runs through six innings. Scott Kazmir on the other hand was a different story. He couldn’t keep the lead that was given to him and almost lost the game. He went four and two thirds innings giving up five earned off of nine hits and walking three, but luckily the Rays bailed him out. The Indians led the game 7-4 in the ninth inning and Edward Mujica was trying to pick up his first save of his career, it didn’t happen. Eric Hinske hit an rbi double, then Gabe Gross tied the game with a two run shot to make it 7-7. After an Iwamura single and a walk to Ben Zobrist, Carlos Pena came up and capped the day with a walk off homer to center to set off a frenzy at the Trop. The Rays got a dramatic victory that they can use as momentum to continue to play hard in the AL East. With the Yankees hurting and Boston in trouble, this is a golden opportunity for the Rays to gain some much needed ground in the division.

Next up the Rays travel to the West coast for the final time this season, barring the playoffs as they head to Seattle for a series with the Mariners. The Mariners have won 3 of their last 5 games and seem to be playing solid ball right now so the Rays can’t get overconfident. The Rays have had their struggles on the road this year as well so nothing is guaranteed in this series. The pitching probables are as follows:

A. Sonnanstine (11-6) vs. F. Hernandez (7-7)
J. Shields (9-7) vs. C. Silva (4-12)
M. Garza (9-7) vs. M. Batista (4-11)
E. Jackson (8-7) vs. RA Dickey (3-6)

By Andrew Nuscis
Philadelphia Phillies & Tampa Bay Rays Correspondent

> View all of the MLB baseball news articles from ProBaseball-fans.com.