The Indians offense had been completely stunned by Tampa Bay pitching this weekend. You wouldn’t be able to tell if you only watched today’s series finale against AL Cy Young winner David Price, as the Tribe ended a 3 game skid pounding Tampa pitching 13-0 and it was early and often.
It was all started by the number 9 hitter Drew Stubbs. He hit a 2 out rbi single in the top of the 2nd inning giving the Indians their first run since Thursday. It really got opened up in the 3rd inning, 2 walks started off the 3rd, followed by a 3-run home run by Mark Reynolds, his 3rd on the season, putting the Indians up 4-0. Something Masterson was not used to last year was an early lead, and he did not waste it. Masterson would go on to pitch 7 innings of 2 hit baseball. He would walk 3 batters but struck out 8 Rays hitters, lowering his season ERA to 0.69.
The Indians offense wasn’t even close to being finished. Lonnie Chisenhall would hit a 3-run home run in the 5th inning. Mark Reynolds wasn’t done either hitting a 2nd home run in the 7th inning, this time a solo home run giving him 4 on the year. Michael Bourn would hit a solo home run in the 8th inning.
Carlos Santana capped off a 5 for 5 day with a 2-run home run, his 2nd of the year, in the top of the 9th inning off of Fernando Rodney who was just getting some work in a blowout situation. Santana and Reynolds combined for 3 home runs and 7 runs batted in.
It was just a day to forget for Rays ace David Price, he would only last 5 innings giving up 8 runs on 10 hits and 2 home runs allowed. Early numbers for Price this season are 0-1 with a 8.18 ERA.
Cleveland was able to avoid the sweep and get back to .500 at 3-3, Tampa with the loss drops to 3-3 as well as they move on to the Ballpark in Arlington to face off against the Texas Rangers.
My Thoughts:
The Indians offense was contained so well by Tampa pitching in the first 2 games of this series that it was only a matter of time until they broke it open, and did they ever. Working the count and getting clutch hitting against David Price was the last thing I expected today. Stat of the day, is the same as the previous 2 games, runners in scoring position. Indians hit 7 for 18 today with RISP, they hit 0 for 10 the past 2 nights. Tampa didn’t have many chances to hit with runners on, only hitting 0 for 3 as they suffer the shutout 13-0.
Coming Up Next:
The Indians return to Cleveland for their home opener, they will start a 4-game series with the New York Yankees. Tomorrow’s opener will feature Ubaldo Jimenez against Hiroki Kuroda. The Yankees come into Cleveland with a record of 2-4. First pitch is at Progressive Field tomorrow at 4:05 ET
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