Indians News: Rays Ruin First Night of Reunion with 4-1 Victory

The 1995 celebration weekend kicked off with another sorry performance for the Tribe offense.  In a game unbefitting of recognizing one of the greatest offensive clubs of all times, the Tampa Bay Rays spoiled day one of the celebration and reunion with a 4-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Friday.

Cleveland’s offensive output was limited to a first inning run plated when Rays’ starter Nate Karns threw a wild pitch with Carlos Santana at the plate.  This allowed Jason Kipnis to score.  Karns settled in, and despite allowing six hits on the evening, only surrendered the one run in the first.  The Rays’ pen hurled 3.2 solid innings, including a scoreless ninth at the hands of closer Brad Boxberger.  The save was Boxberger’s 17^th on the year.

Carlos Carrasco was not particularly sharp on Friday, despite pitching well enough for a quality start.  Carrasco went 6.2 innings, allowing 10 hits, three earned runs, and notching five strikeouts.  He walked no one, but he did surrender two home runs, including one to former Indian Asdrubal Cabrera.

The loss dropped the Indians to 31-35 on the season, 8.0 games off the pace of the AL Central leading Kansas City Royals.

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The Good

• Jason Kipnis played another game worthy of accolade, hitting three of the Tribe’s seven hits and scoring the lone run. He hit his 20^th double on the season and raised his average to .341.
• Francisco Lindor did his best to keep pace with Kipnis, collecting two base hits out of the two hole. With Michael Bourn’s struggles reemerging and Santana batting .212 on the season, Lindor has a real opportunity to cement himself in the two hole and fill a true void for this club.
• The Tribe had no errors on the game after two straight days with one.

The Bad

• The Indians left 18 men on base, including three each for Michael Brantley, Santana, and Brandon Moss.
• The Tribe dropped their third consecutive Friday game, and the club is 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over those last 10 games, the Tribe has been outscored 28-52. Even if you remove the 17-0 loss from Wednesday, the numbers still do not tip in the Tribe’s favor.
• Scott Atchison has yet to regain that 2014 magic. He allowed a solo shot to Steve Souza Jr. in the ninth inning.  The home run raised Atchison’s ERA to 6.75 on the season.  One of last year’s most reliable arms has become one of this season’s most liable.

What’s Next

• Friday’s game saw a slew of 1995 Indians present at the game. The reunion will continue on Saturday and the team will officially be honored prior to the game.  The first 12,500 fans will receive a 1995 T-shirt.
• Saturday’s game will start at 7:10 PM and will pair up the Rays’ Erasmo Ramirez, 6-2 on the year despite a 4.45 ERA, and Indian Corey Kluber (3-8, 3.54 ERA).
• Be sure to vote Kipnis. You can submit your ballot by following this link.  Kipnis is currently and unfathomably losing out the starting spot, so vote early and vote often.

Next: Cleveland Indians Designate Shaun Marcum