Rays Even Series, Beat Indians 7-6
Indians All-Star closer Chris Perez finished the first half of the season the same way he started out the season: with a blown save. Tampa Bay scored three times in the ninth inning and beat the Cleveland Indians 7-6.
Perez converted 25-straight saves since April 5 before Sunday’s letdown. Will Rhymes, Carlos Pena and Elliot Johnson all combined in the ninth to tie the game at 6, and then Ben Zobrist gave the Rays the go-ahead run. The Indians could not convert in the ninth and split the series with Tampa Bay.
It was a big series for Kasey Kotchman who was facing his old team. Kotchman had three RBIs on Sunday and pushed the Indians out to a 5-0 lead.
Indians starter Zac McAllister struggled on Sunday. He went 5.2 innings, gave up four hits and four runs, walked three and struck out eight. The Indians are off now for the All-Star break. The Summer Classic will be played Tuesday night in Kansas City. The Indians begin a three-game series with Toronto on Friday.
Game notes: The Indians placed Nick Hagadone on its minor-league disqualified list, one day after optioning him to Triple-A Columbus. According to Indians General manager Chris Antonetti, Hagadone suffered “a self-inflicted injury to his pitching hand” after leaving a game Friday. Asdrubal Cabrera and Chris Perez will represent the Indians Tuesday in the All-Star game, which can be seen on FOX8 at 7:30 p.m.
