Carrasco, Almonte injured in win
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians keep losing players at the wrong time, but at least they are back to scoring runs and winning games.
In Monday’s 8-7 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, Carlos Carrasco, their best starting pitcher, left with tightness in his left pectoral muscle in the fourth inning. Right fielder Abraham Almonte left in the fifth inning after re-injuring his right biceps muscle.
It was clear that Carrasco was not at his best as he walked three batters in 3 innings. He entered the game with eight walks in 48
innings. If Carrasco has to go on the disabled list, it means the team’s top two starters, including Corey Kluber, will be on the shelf.
The Indians, struggling to score runs, scored plenty on Monday. As they did in Sunday’s 8-3 win over the Minnesota Twins, they did most of that damage in the first three innings. Then they put their faith in the bullpen.
After Carrasco left in the fourth, Nick Goody, Boone Logan (1-0), Bryan Shaw, Andrew Miller and Cody Allen held the Rays to two runs over the last 5 innings. The first run belonged to Miller, the first he has allowed this season in 19 innings. The second run belonged to Allen.
Miller’s run came in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Logan Morrison to make it a 7-6 game. Francisco Lindor’s twoout homer in the eighth made it 8-6 and gave Allen some room to work for his 10th save in as many chances.
He needed it as Peter Bourjos hit a two-out homer in the ninth to make it 8-7, but the Indians won their six straight and 11th in the last 12 games against the Rays.
Lonnie Chisenhall gave the Indians a 5-1 lead with a three-run homer in the first off Chris Archer (3-2). It was his second homer in as many games and fourth of the season.
Kevin Kiermaier’s two-out homer in the second made it a 5-2 game, but the Indians continued to push the lead. They made it 6-2 in the second, and Yan Gomes doubled home Ramirez with two out in the third for a 7-3 lead.