Indians at Rays
The Cleveland Indians broke out of a slump with runners in scoring
position. Now they need right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez to snap out of his
funk. Jimenez and the Indians visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday in
the finale of their four-game series. After going 3-for-17 with runners
in scoring position in splitting the first two games, the Indians
exploded with a 7-for-12 performance in their 10-6 victory Wednesday.
Jimenez has lost three of his last four outings and is coming off his
shortest start of the season when he matched a career high by allowing
eight runs. The lone win came against the Rays on July 7.
The Indians’
offensive momentum will be put to the test when they face the Rays’
David Price. The sensational lefty shares the major league lead with 12 victories, is 4-0 in his last five starts and has gone 4-0 with a 2.01 ERA lifetime against the
Indians. Price will try to right the ship for the Rays, who have lost
four of six since the All-Star break.
TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (8-8, 5.09 ERA) vs. Rays LH David Price (12-4, 2.80)
Jimenez
also allowed seven hits and walked four in 2 1/3 innings in an 11-9
loss at Toronto on Saturday. He was sharp against Tampa Bay in his
previous start, limiting the club to two runs on five hits while striking out eight over six strong innings. Jimenez has struggled with his command, issuing four walks
in four of his last five starts. The Rays’ roster is hitting .185
against Jimenez, although Luke Scott is 2-for-2 with a home run.
Price
allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and struck out eight in 7 1/3
innings in a 5-3 victory over Boston on Saturday and has struck out at
least seven in his last four starts. Price has pitched at least seven
innings in his last five outings. The Indians’ roster is hitting .195
against Price, with Shelley Duncan (2-for-9) owning the only home run.
Texas’ Matt Harrison, Washington’s Gio Gonzalez and the New York Mets’
R.A. Dickey also have 12 victories.
WALK-OFFS
1.
Scott, who went 4-for-4 on Wednesday, is 12-for-26 in his last six games
against Cleveland dating back to July 6. In his last 12 contests against all
other teams, he is 0-for-38.
2. Indians C Carlos Santana
delivered the big blow Wednesday, a three-run blast – his first homer
since May 15 – to cap the five-run seventh inning which featured six
straight hits with two outs.
3. Tampa Bay went 0-for-4 with the
bases loaded Wednesday and is tied for third in the majors with a .338
average (25-for-74) in that situation; Cleveland is 26th at .195
(16-for-82).