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Indians win in 9th, push home streak to 14 games

May 11, 2011 - 5:54 AM Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Michael Brantley drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in the winning run in the ninth inning, as the Cleveland Indians topped the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-4, to open a three-game series.

Brantley also had a solo home run while Grady Sizemore belted solo shot for the Indians, who extended their home winning streak to 14 games.

"It's not something that we're coming together before the game and saying, 'Come on guys let's keep the streak going.' It's 'Come on guys and play a good game,'" said Chris Perez (2-1), who earned the win with a shutout ninth inning.

"It's nice to be able to defend your home turf."

Matt Joyce had a solo homer and drove in two runs for the Rays, who had a four-game winning streak snapped. Evan Longoria also had solo home run in the loss.

Joel Peralta (1-2) suffered the loss in 1 2/3 innings of relief, leaving the bases loaded in the ninth before Kyle Farnsworth walked in the winning run.

The Indians, who have now won eight games during their last at-bat, set up the win with a Shin-Soo Choo leadoff walk. He then rounded second and slid into third on Carlos Santana's grounder through the right side.

Tampa Bay elected to walk Travis Hafner to load the bases with no outs and Orlando Cabrera grounded into a fielder's choice. But with the bags still full, Brantley worked the count for the all-important walk that sent Choo trotting home for the win.

A 95-minute rain delay pushed back the start of the game but it didn't stop Sizemore, who lead off the bottom of the first with homer.

The Rays tied it back up with a home run of their own in the fourth as Joyce launched the ball over the fence in right.

It was another homer that put the Indians back on top, 2-1, during the home half of the fourth when Brantley ripped the solo shot into right.

Joyce knotted it up once again in the sixth. Ben Zobrist, who had a lead off walk, scored from first on Joyce's double into the left-center gap.

During the home half of the inning, the Indians took a two run lead. Asdrubal Cabrera singled in Matt LaPorta and put Jack Hannahan on third. Hannahan then came home on a passed ball to go up 4-2.

Tampa Bay answered back with a run in the seventh. Sean Rodriguez doubled to start it off and scored on Kelly Shoppach's liner to left. Longoria then tied it up for the final time with a solo homer in the eighth.

"I love the way our guys went after it. I love the attitude of our team, on the field and in the dugout. It was great," said Rays manager Joe Maddon.

Game Notes

The Indians are 14-2 at home this season, the best start in franchise history...Sizemore now has 22 career leadoff homers, extending his franchise record...The teams combined for 2-for-24 with runners in scoring position and left 19 runners on base...Tampa Bay's starter Andy Sonnanstine lasted just 3 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and five walks...Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin went six innings deep, surrendering three runs on six hits and struck out three.