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Indians look to continue domination of Rays

Aug 5, 2008 - 1:23 PM Cleveland (49-62) at Tampa Bay (66-45) 7:10 p.m. EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- The Cleveland Indians have struggled this season and are taking out their frustrations on the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Indians look to continue their dominance of the Rays when the teams resume their series on Tuesday.

After the Indians came within a win of reaching the World Series last season, it was expected they would again contend. However, the Indians currently own the second-worst record in the AL and are clearly building for the future after trading reigning AL Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers in early July.

Cleveland's last-place standing in the AL Central hasn't stopped it from beating up the Rays, who own a three-game lead in the AL East. The Indians have won five straight games against Tampa Bay and 19 of the last 21 meetings, including a 5-2 victory in the series opener on Monday which snapped the Rays' five-game win streak.

"For some reason, we play really well against these guys," said Cleveland outfielder David Dellucci, who launched a home run for the second straight game on Monday.

Fausto Carmona (5-3, 4.19 ERA) tries to help the Indians continue their strong play against the Rays when he takes the mound on Tuesday.

Carmona, who missed two months earlier this season with a left hip strain, earned his first win since May 12 on Thursday, allowing four runs - two earned - and five hits in 6 1/3 innings in a 9-4 triumph over Detroit.

Edwin Jackson (7-7, 4.20) goes for his third victory in as many starts when he counters for Tampa Bay.