Final
Morgan, Tomlin lead Indians past Rays
May 12, 2014 - 2:42 AM St. Petersburg, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Nyjer Morgan went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, two RBI and his first homer since 2012 and the Cleveland Indians beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5 on Sunday."We were looking for a way to get him in there today and I'm glad we did," Indians manager Terry Francona said.
Yan Gomes also homered for Cleveland in the rubber match of the three-game set at Tropicana Field. Michael Bourn drove in a pair to help Josh Tomlin (2-0) pick up his second win in as many starts this season. Tomlin allowed two runs on six hits over six strong innings.
The Indians have won five of their last six games.
Chris Archer (2-2) took the loss after laboring through five-plus innings, yielding four runs on eight hits with four walks.
Matt Joyce and Evan Longoria had two hits apiece for Tampa, with Joyce belting his third home run of the season. Ben Zobrist scored twice in the setback.
"We're not playing the caliber of baseball right now that is a winning caliber of baseball," Longoria said.
Joyce's no-doubter to right-center field in the bottom of the first made it 1-0 in favor of the home team.
Andrubal Cabrera drew a one-out walk in the top of the second and Gomes singled to put runners on the corners. Morgan then made contact on a check swing, dribbling the ball down the third-base line. Cabrera broke for home and realizing he had no play at first to get the speedy Morgan, Archer let the ball roll hoping it would trickle into foul territory. It died two inches from the third base line, and all runners were safe.
Bourn then slapped a double over Wil Myers' head in right, plating two more runs.
Joyce again came through for Tampa in the fourth, lacing a liner into right field for an RBI single to pull the hosts to within 3-2, but two more Cleveland runs two innings later padded the visitors' cushion.
Gomes started the sixth with a homer to left, chasing Archer from the contest. Morgan greeted reliever Brad Boxberger with a bunt single, moved to second on a balk and third on a wild pitch. Mike Aviles plated him with a sacrifice to center.
Morgan's eighth-inning homer made it 6-2, but a late rally by the Rays made things interesting.
Marc Rzepczynski, who struck out pinch-hitter Logan Forsythe to end the seventh inning, walked Zobrist to start the eighth. After Joyce whiffed, Longoria singled and Zobrist scored as James Loney grounded into a fielder's choice.
Cody Allen took over for Rzepczynski and served up a Myers RBI single to make it 6-4. He then plunked Desmond Jennings with a pitch, and Yunel Escobar cut the deficit to one with a sac fly to right. Ryan Hanigan struck out to end the threat.
Bryan Shaw tossed a perfect ninth for his second save of the season.
Game Notes
Cleveland outfielder Michael Brantley has an 11-game hitting streak ... The Tribe went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base ... The Rays have lost five of six.
- CLEVELAND: 6
TAMPA BAY: 5
Final
May 11 5:30 PM - Yunel Escobar sacrifice fly out to right scored James Loney with two outs. On the play, Wil Myers advances to third. Runners on first and third and Jose Molina due up.
Guardians 6, Rays 5 Bot 8, 2 OutsMay 11 5:09 PM - Wil Myers singled to right scored Evan Longoria with one out. On the play, James Loney advances to second. Runners on first and second and Desmond Jennings due up.
Guardians 6, Rays 4 Bot 8, 1 OutMay 11 4:59 PM - James Loney grounded into a fielder's choice scored Ben Zobrist with one out. On the play, Evan Longoria advances to second on Marc Rzepczynski's throwing error. Runners on first and second and Wil Myers due up.
Guardians 6, Rays 3 Bot 8, 1 OutMay 11 4:56 PM - Nyjer Morgan lead-off Home Run (1) to right. Mike Aviles due up.
Guardians 6, Rays 2 Top 8, 0 OutsMay 11 4:34 PM - Mike Aviles sacrifice fly out to center scored Nyjer Morgan with one out. None on and Michael Bourn due up.
Guardians 5, Rays 2 Top 6, 1 OutMay 11 3:47 PM - Yan Gomes lead-off Home Run (5) to left. Nyjer Morgan due up.
Guardians 4, Rays 2 Top 6, 0 OutsMay 11 3:38 PM - Matt Joyce singled to right scored Ben Zobrist with none out. Runner on first and Evan Longoria due up.
Guardians 3, Rays 2 Bot 4, 0 OutsMay 11 2:56 PM - Michael Bourn doubled to right scored Yan Gomes and Nyjer Morgan with two outs. Runner on second and Lonnie Chisenhall due up.
Guardians 3, Rays 1 Top 2, 2 OutsMay 11 2:16 PM - Nyjer Morgan singled to third scored Asdrubal Cabrera with one out. On the play, Yan Gomes advances to second. Runners on first and second and Mike Aviles due up.
Guardians 1, Rays 1 Top 2, 1 OutMay 11 2:13 PM - Matt Joyce two-out, solo Home Run (3) to right center. Evan Longoria due up.
Guardians 0, Rays 1 Bot 1, 2 OutsMay 11 1:59 PM - CLEVELAND: 0
TAMPA BAY: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
May 11 1:41 PM
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