The Indians rolled out of Toronto on Thursday night feeling good about their offense after scoring a combined 15 runs on 31 hits over three games. But their revamped lineup was no match for left-hander Matt Moore and the Rays on Friday night.
Moore struck out eight over six innings and the Tribe managed just two hits, both by Michael Bourn and neither of them after the third inning, in a 4-0 loss to Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field. After bashing 14 hits Thursday, including eight for extra bases and two homers, Cleveland hit only five balls out of the infield the entire night.
So, why the big disparity between Thursday night’s outburst and Friday night’s shutout?
“I think their guy had something to do with that,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “He’s got enough of a fastball where you’ve got to respect that. Then you start flipping that breaking ball in for strikes, that made him really tough. Then their bullpen came in and just attacked the strike zone. They had a lead, and they did exactly what they’re supposed to do.”
Moore kept the Indians off balance and off the scoreboard for six innings, allowing only two hits and two walks to go along with his eight strikeouts on 100 pitches. Known mostly for his high-powered fastball, Moore beat the Indians mostly with his curveball and changeup in his first start of the regular season.
Cleveland had its best chance to score in the third inning, when Aviles drew a leadoff walk and moved to third on Bourn’s double to right. But Asdrubal Cabrera knocked a grounder toward third baseman Evan Longoria, who scooped it up and chased down Aviles before firing the ball to catcher Jose Molina, who tossed it to Escobar to tag out Aviles. That left Bourn at second and Cabrera at first with two outs, but Moore struck out Jason Kipnis to end the inning.
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