Rays 4, Indians 1
CLEVELAND -- Evan Longoria hit a three-run home run in the first inning and six pitchers combined on a six-hitter as the Tampa Bay Rays rolled to a 4-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night at Progressive Field.
Right-hander Erasmo Ramirez had to leave the game after three innings with a strained groin, but Tampa Bay's bullpen was able to finish the job.
Ramirez, left-hander Xavier Cedeno, right-hander Ronald Belisario, right-hander Steve Geltz, right-hander Brandon Gomes and right-hander Brad Boxberger held Cleveland to just one run. Boxberger pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his 18th save.
Cedeno (1-0), who pitched one scoreless inning, got the win. Tampa Bay (40-30) has won eight of its last nine games and is 14-5 in June.
Cleveland right-hander Corey Kluber (3-9) pitched seven innings but took the loss. The nine losses match his total from last year, when he was 18-9 en route to winning the American League Cy Young Award.
Kluber hasn't gotten much support this year, however. The Indians (31-36) have scored two or fewer runs in 11 of his 15 starts. In seven innings Saturday, he gave up four runs on four hits and four walks, with six strikeouts.
Ramirez faced the minimum nine batters in the first three innings. But, while pitching to shortstop Francisco Lindor with no outs and a runner at first in the fourth inning, Ramirez had to leave the game with a strained right groin. He gave up two hits, struck out three and walked none. He was relieved by Cedeno.
Tampa Bay jumped on Kluber in the first inning. The right-hander walked center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, who went to third on a single by designated hitter Joey Butler. Third baseman Evan Longoria then hit his seventh home run, a three-run shot over the left-field wall.
The Rays scored another run in the third inning to make it 4-0. Kiermaier led off with a single, moved to third on walks by Butler and Longoria and scored when left fielder David DeJesus grounded out to second.
The only Cleveland run came in the eighth inning against Gomes. With Tampa Bay leading 4-0 and one out, center fielder Michael Bourn walked and went to second on a single by third baseman Giovanny Urshela. Second baseman Jason Kipnis drew a walk, loading the bases. Bourn scored when Lindor grounded out to second.
NOTES: Indians C Yan Gomes was back in the lineup after missing Friday's game with cervical tightness. ... Indians RHP Shaun Marcum, who was designated for assignment on Thursday, cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus. ... Rays OF Steven Souza leads the Rays with 14 home runs and eight stolen bases. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Souza could become the first American League rookie to lead his team in homers and stolen bases since Boston's Jim Rice in 1975. ... Rays LHP Matt Moore, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, will make a rehab start for Triple-A Durham on Sunday.