Indians 3, Rays 2
Zach McAllister pitched six solid innings to win his third straight decision and Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Kipnis provided RBI doubles as visiting Cleveland took the four-game series opener.
Shoo, Kipnis and Johnny Damon had two hits apiece and Shoo scored twice as the Indians improved to 14-5 in one-run games this season.
Desmond Jennings hit a solo homer in the seventh inning for Tampa Bay, which has lost three of four since the All-Star break.
McAllister (4-1), who allowed one run, three hits, walked four and struck out five, is 3-0 with a 2.31 ERA in four starts since being recalled from Triple-A Columbus on June 28.
Rays starter Alex Cobb (4-6) allowed three runs (two earned), five hits and walked five in 3 2/3 innings.
The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Choo scored on a passed ball by Jose Molina with two outs. Choo led off the game with what was originally ruled a home run, but the umpires changed it to a double after a video review revealed the ball hit off the top of the wall.
Cleveland went ahead 3-0 in the third on RBI doubles by Shoo and Kipnis after Damon led off the inning with a double.
Tampa Bay broke through against McAllister in the fourth with three straight singles to open the inning – the last a run-scoring line drive off McAllister’s right forearm by Jeff Keppinger – to make it 3-1.
All-Star Chris Perez pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 26th save in 28 chances.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Cleveland improved to 18-0 when leading after six innings on the road. … The Indians loaded the bases with none out in the fourth and the first two batters reached in the fifth, but didn’t score in either inning. They went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. … There were 14 walks, including eight issued by Tampa Bay. … Cleveland’s Michael Brantley went 0-for-1 with three walks and had his 13-game hitting streak snapped.