Indians 13, Rays 0
Mark Reynolds hit two of his team’s five home runs and visiting Cleveland salvaged a victory in the finale of the three-game series.
The Indians were shut out the first two games of the series and were up against last season’s American League Cy Young Award winner, left-hander David Price, but the Tribe scorched Price (0-1) for a career-high eight earned runs in five innings. Carlos Santana had a career-high five hits, including a home run, and Lonnie Chisenhall and Michael Bourn also launched homers for Cleveland.
Indians starter Justin Masterson (2-0) delivered his second consecutive quality start to open the season, allowing two hits and striking out eight while shutting out the Rays for seven innings.
Cleveland ended a streak of 20 consecutive scoreless innings when No. 9 hitter Drew Stubbs singled in Mike Aviles with two outs in the second inning for a 1-0 lead. Price walked his second and third batters of the game in the third inning and Reynolds followed with a three-run shot to center field to extend the lead to 4-0.
Price retired the side in order in the fourth but got into trouble again in the fifth, giving up a two-out RBI double to Santana, an infield single to Aviles and a three-run homer to Chisenhall for an 8-0 lead. Price did not allow a three-run home run last season, but gave up two on Sunday.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Price entered the game 5-0 with a 1.64 ERA in his career against the Indians. He had not allowed an earned run to Cleveland in three previous starts at Tropicana Field. … Masterson entered the game 1-7 in his career against Tampa Bay, including 0-4 at Tropicana Field with an 8.44 ERA. He had allowed 11 homers to the Rays, the most against any opponent. … Four of the first five hits by Reynolds this season were home runs.