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Rays Power Past Indians 6-3
July 25, 2010 By Dan Battaglia
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The Tampa Bay Rays used the power of the long ball and a solid pitching performance from their young ace David Price (13-5) Saturday night at Progressive Field to hand the Indians just their second loss in nine games since the All-star break. All six of the Tampa runs scored either via a homerun or double and the Indians offense was unable to mount much momentum following the second inning resulting in a loss that drops the Tribe back into last place in the AL Central.
The Tribe was able to get to David Price early, but the hard throwing lefthander settled in and showed off why he was the American League's starting pitching in the 2010 All-star game. The Indians jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Shin-Soo Choo rocketed a 99 mph fastball down the third baseline scoring Trevor Crowe. The Tribe then extended that lead to 3-0 in the second inning on the power of a Shelley Duncan 2-run homerun. However, Price would remain on to pitch 7.0+ innings holding the Indians to just one more base hit while striking out 5 batters on the evening.
Meanwhile, Mitch Talbot (8-9) looked on his game early for the Indians as he cruised through the first 4 innings. However, Talbot's pitch count once again elevated too rapidly and the Indians rookie ran into major trouble in the 5th inning. With two men out in the inning, Talbot allowed base hits to the Rays number 8 and 9 hitters, Kelly Scoppach and Jason Bartlett, setting up a game tying 3-run homerun Ben Zobrist, initially ruled a triple before the rare use of instant replay by the umpiring crew.
The Rays struck Talbot for 2 more runs in the 6th on a Carlos Pena solo homerun and ground rule double by BJ Upton scoring Matt Joyce. Talbot would exit the game after pitching 5.2 innings allowing 5 ER, but striking out a career high 8 batters.
Tampa picked up another run in the 6th on a Carlos Crawford double off of Frank Herrmann that scored Jason Bartlett. The run was the first allowed by the Indians bullpen at home in the last 21.0 innings.
The Indians had the makings of a threat in the 8th inning after chasing Price from the game after a leadoff walk by Jason Donald, but Rays star reliever Joaquin Benoit entered and slammed the door on the rally. Benoit, who signed a minor league deal with the Rays prior to the season, entered the night with a staggering 0.85 ERA in 34 appearances. Tampa closer Rafael Soriano (25) would pick up the save in a no-drama perfect 9th inning to snap the Rays 18-game losing streak at Progressive Field.
The rubber match of the series between the two clubs will take place Sunday at 1:05 when Justin Masterson (3-8 5.25 ERA) will take on Wade Davis (7-9 4.41 ERA). It is of note that Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett was hit by pitches twice late in Saturday's game, an element that may be a factor in Sunday's contest.
