CLEVELAND -- For the first time in a year, the Rays didn't get run over on the road.
Corey Dickerson hit a three-run homer -- his third homer in two days -- and Alex Cobb controlled Cleveland over seven inning as Tampa Bay busted out the bats in a 7-4 win over the Indians on Wednesday to complete the Rays' most successful trip since last May.
Dickerson connected in the second inning off Josh Tomlin (2-5) and Logan Morrison hit a solo shot in the third for the free-swinging Rays, who hit a franchise-record 10 homers in the three-game series and went 4-2 on a swing through Boston and Cleveland -- two of the AL's toughest stops.
"We're coming out of here on a huge high," said Cobb, who threw 115 pitches -- his most since Tommy John surgery in 2014 -- on an unseasonably warm day. "We're pumped about the way we played on this road trip. We've done a good of putting things together."
Cobb (4-3) allowed three runs and six hits and retired the last eight batters he faced.
Jesus Sucre also homered for the Rays, who have 59 already this season.
"They might strike out quite a bit, but they're a pretty athletic bunch," Tomlin said. "I know they swing a lot, but they can find the barrel pretty good, too."
Indians rookie Bradley Zimmer hit his first career homer in the ninth off Alex Colome, and Jason Kipnis almost got one, but Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier robbed him with a leaping catch for the final out.
While the Rays found their swing on the road, Edwin Encarnacion remains in a hitting funk for Cleveland.
The slumping slugger struck out looking with the bases loaded in the third and again with one on in the fifth. Encarnacion, who signed a three-year, $60 million free agent contract -- the richest in team history -- is batting just .203 and in a 2 for 23 slide.
Encarnacion is also batting only .108 (4 for 37) with runners in scoring position.
"He's OK. He really is," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "He knows what's going on and what he's supposed to do and all that. He's OK and he's going to be OK, it's just not been the best six weeks. He'll get it."
After Dickerson homered twice in a five-homer barrage Tuesday Tampa Bay came out swinging against Tomlin, who struck out five straight before giving up three consecutive two-out hits -- the last an RBI double by Sucre.
Dickerson, who came in tied for the AL lead in hits, followed with his ninth homer, a towering shot into the right-field seats to make it 4-0.
ROCKY ROTATION
Tomlin's performance ballooned the ERA for Cleveland's starters to a league-high 5.17. In the last five games, Indians starters have a 9.14 ERA.
With ace Corey Kluber on the disabled list, there is some genuine concern about the starting staff, which is supposed to be the team's strongest unit.
"I don't think we've probably executed as well as we can," pitching coach Mickey Callaway said. "We probably haven't pitched to our strengths as well as we can, and I think some of the numbers show that. It's kind of perplexing when you look at, `How is this possible? This number doesn't usually correlate with what's going on over here.'
"We really need to simplify things, start pitching to our strengths a little bit more and make sure we navigate lineups the right way."
THE CATCH
Kiermaier ended the trip with a dazzling play, backing up to the wall and snagging Kipnis' shot.
"It felt really good to close out the game like that," he said. "Colome's my guy so I'm happy I was able to save him a run."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: Starting 2B Brad Miller (strained left abdominal muscle) missed his second straight game and will be examined by a doctor before Friday's series opener against the Yankees.
Indians: OF Abraham Almonte will be out for at least three weeks with a strained right biceps. There were initial fears he might need surgery, but the club said an MRI revealed "a high grade" strain. ... OF Austin Jackson ran the bases before the game. He's on the disabled list with a hyperextended left toe.
UP NEXT
Rays: Tampa will have its only day off in May before opening a three-game series at home Friday with RHP Erasmo Ramirez facing the Yankees. Ramirez just rejoined the rotation after Blake Snell was sent to the minors.
Indians: Cleveland begins a three-game series in Houston on Friday with Trevor Bauer making his 100th career start. The right-hander is 6-0 with a 2.61 ERA in six outings against the Astros.
Tampa Bay Rays
Corey Dickerson hit a three-run homer -- his third homer in two days -- and Alex Cobb controlled Cleveland over seven inning as Tampa Bay busted out the bats in a 7-4 win over the Indians on Wednesday to complete the Rays' most successful trip since last May.
Dickerson connected in the second inning off Josh Tomlin (2-5) and Logan Morrison hit a solo shot in the third for the free-swinging Rays, who hit a franchise-record 10 homers in the three-game series and went 4-2 on a swing through Boston and Cleveland -- two of the AL's toughest stops.
"We're coming out of here on a huge high," said Cobb, who threw 115 pitches -- his most since Tommy John surgery in 2014 -- on an unseasonably warm day. "We're pumped about the way we played on this road trip. We've done a good of putting things together."
Cobb (4-3) allowed three runs and six hits and retired the last eight batters he faced.
Jesus Sucre also homered for the Rays, who have 59 already this season.
"They might strike out quite a bit, but they're a pretty athletic bunch," Tomlin said. "I know they swing a lot, but they can find the barrel pretty good, too."
Indians rookie Bradley Zimmer hit his first career homer in the ninth off Alex Colome, and Jason Kipnis almost got one, but Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier robbed him with a leaping catch for the final out.
While the Rays found their swing on the road, Edwin Encarnacion remains in a hitting funk for Cleveland.
The slumping slugger struck out looking with the bases loaded in the third and again with one on in the fifth. Encarnacion, who signed a three-year, $60 million free agent contract -- the richest in team history -- is batting just .203 and in a 2 for 23 slide.
Encarnacion is also batting only .108 (4 for 37) with runners in scoring position.
"He's OK. He really is," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "He knows what's going on and what he's supposed to do and all that. He's OK and he's going to be OK, it's just not been the best six weeks. He'll get it."
After Dickerson homered twice in a five-homer barrage Tuesday Tampa Bay came out swinging against Tomlin, who struck out five straight before giving up three consecutive two-out hits -- the last an RBI double by Sucre.
Dickerson, who came in tied for the AL lead in hits, followed with his ninth homer, a towering shot into the right-field seats to make it 4-0.
ROCKY ROTATION
Tomlin's performance ballooned the ERA for Cleveland's starters to a league-high 5.17. In the last five games, Indians starters have a 9.14 ERA.
With ace Corey Kluber on the disabled list, there is some genuine concern about the starting staff, which is supposed to be the team's strongest unit.
"I don't think we've probably executed as well as we can," pitching coach Mickey Callaway said. "We probably haven't pitched to our strengths as well as we can, and I think some of the numbers show that. It's kind of perplexing when you look at, `How is this possible? This number doesn't usually correlate with what's going on over here.'
"We really need to simplify things, start pitching to our strengths a little bit more and make sure we navigate lineups the right way."
THE CATCH
Kiermaier ended the trip with a dazzling play, backing up to the wall and snagging Kipnis' shot.
"It felt really good to close out the game like that," he said. "Colome's my guy so I'm happy I was able to save him a run."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: Starting 2B Brad Miller (strained left abdominal muscle) missed his second straight game and will be examined by a doctor before Friday's series opener against the Yankees.
Indians: OF Abraham Almonte will be out for at least three weeks with a strained right biceps. There were initial fears he might need surgery, but the club said an MRI revealed "a high grade" strain. ... OF Austin Jackson ran the bases before the game. He's on the disabled list with a hyperextended left toe.
UP NEXT
Rays: Tampa will have its only day off in May before opening a three-game series at home Friday with RHP Erasmo Ramirez facing the Yankees. Ramirez just rejoined the rotation after Blake Snell was sent to the minors.
Indians: Cleveland begins a three-game series in Houston on Friday with Trevor Bauer making his 100th career start. The right-hander is 6-0 with a 2.61 ERA in six outings against the Astros.
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Tampa Bay - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Tomlin pitching for Cleveland | TB | CLE |
| Dickerson singled to center. | 0 | 0 |
| Kiermaier struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Longoria struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Morrison struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Alex Cobb pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | CLE |
| Kipnis grounded out to pitcher. | 0 | 0 |
| Lindor struck out looking. | 0 | 0 |
| Brantley flied out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Josh Tomlin pitching for Cleveland | TB | CLE |
| Souza Jr. struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Rasmus struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Beckham singled to center. | 0 | 0 |
| Robertson singled to right center, Beckham to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Sucre doubled to deep left, Beckham scored, Robertson to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Dickerson homered to right (383 feet), Robertson and Sucre scored. | 4 | 0 |
| Kiermaier grounded out to second. | 4 | 0 |
| 4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Alex Cobb pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | CLE |
| Santana lined out to right. | 4 | 0 |
| Encarnación grounded out to second. | 4 | 0 |
| Ramírez grounded out to first. | 4 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Josh Tomlin pitching for Cleveland | TB | CLE |
| Longoria grounded out to second. | 4 | 0 |
| Morrison homered to center (420 feet). | 5 | 0 |
| Souza Jr. doubled to deep center. | 5 | 0 |
| Otero relieved Tomlin. | 5 | 0 |
| Rasmus reached on bunt single to third, Souza Jr. to third. | 5 | 0 |
| Beckham singled to left, Souza Jr. scored, Rasmus to second. | 6 | 0 |
| Robertson grounded out to shortstop, Rasmus to third, Beckham to second. | 6 | 0 |
| Sucre grounded out to shortstop. | 6 | 0 |
| 2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Alex Cobb pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | CLE |
| Chisenhall doubled to deep left center. | 6 | 0 |
| Zimmer doubled to deep left, Chisenhall scored. | 6 | 1 |
| Pérez lined out to second. | 6 | 1 |
| Kipnis singled to left, Zimmer scored, Kipnis to second advancing on throw. | 6 | 2 |
| Lindor struck out swinging. | 6 | 2 |
| Brantley walked. | 6 | 2 |
| Santana hit by pitch, Kipnis to third, Brantley to second. | 6 | 2 |
| Encarnación struck out looking. | 6 | 2 |
| 2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Dan Otero pitching for Cleveland | TB | CLE |
| Dickerson grounded out to first. | 6 | 2 |
| Kiermaier reached on infield single to shortstop. | 6 | 2 |
| Longoria grounded out to pitcher, Kiermaier to second. | 6 | 2 |
| Morrison intentionally walked. | 6 | 2 |
| Goody relieved Otero. | 6 | 2 |
| Souza Jr. bunt grounded out to pitcher. | 6 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Alex Cobb pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | CLE |
| Ramírez singled to shallow center. | 6 | 2 |
| Chisenhall grounded out to pitcher, Ramírez to second. | 6 | 2 |
| Zimmer flied out to left. | 6 | 2 |
| Pérez struck out looking. | 6 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Nick Goody pitching for Cleveland | TB | CLE |
| Rasmus lined out to center. | 6 | 2 |
| Beckham grounded out to third. | 6 | 2 |
| Robertson struck out looking. | 6 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Alex Cobb pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | CLE |
| Kipnis grounded out to first. | 6 | 2 |
| Lindor singled to center. | 6 | 2 |
| Brantley doubled to deep center, Lindor scored. | 6 | 3 |
| Santana popped out to third. | 6 | 3 |
| Encarnación struck out looking. | 6 | 3 |
| 1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Nick Goody pitching for Cleveland | TB | CLE |
| Sucre grounded out to shortstop. | 6 | 3 |
| Logan relieved Goody. | 6 | 3 |
| Dickerson grounded out to first. | 6 | 3 |
| Kiermaier grounded out to first. | 6 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Alex Cobb pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | CLE |
| Ramírez flied out to center. | 6 | 3 |
| Chisenhall struck out looking. | 6 | 3 |
| Zimmer struck out swinging. | 6 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Zach McAllister pitching for Cleveland | TB | CLE |
| McAllister relieved Logan. | 6 | 3 |
| Longoria lined out to center. | 6 | 3 |
| Morrison struck out swinging. | 6 | 3 |
| Souza Jr. grounded out to first. | 6 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Alex Cobb pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | CLE |
| Pérez grounded out to third. | 6 | 3 |
| Kipnis popped out to third. | 6 | 3 |
| Lindor grounded out to first. | 6 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Bryan Shaw pitching for Cleveland | TB | CLE |
| Shaw relieved McAllister. | 6 | 3 |
| Rasmus struck out swinging. | 6 | 3 |
| Beckham singled to right. | 6 | 3 |
| Robertson grounded into double play, second to first, Beckham out at second. | 6 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Danny Farquhar pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | CLE |
| Farquhar relieved Cobb. | 6 | 3 |
| Brantley flied out to left. | 6 | 3 |
| Santana popped out to first. | 6 | 3 |
| R Stanek relieved Farquhar. | 6 | 3 |
| Encarnación walked. | 6 | 3 |
| Ramírez flied out to center. | 6 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Shawn Armstrong pitching for Cleveland | TB | CLE |
| Armstrong relieved Shaw. | 6 | 3 |
| Sucre homered to left (407 feet). | 7 | 3 |
| Dickerson flied out to left. | 7 | 3 |
| Kiermaier struck out swinging. | 7 | 3 |
| Longoria struck out swinging. | 7 | 3 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cleveland - Bottom of 9th | SCORE | |
| Alex Colome pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | CLE |
| Bourjos in left field. | 7 | 3 |
| Colomé relieved R Stanek. | 7 | 3 |
| Chisenhall grounded out to first. | 7 | 3 |
| Zimmer homered to center (404 feet). | 7 | 4 |
| González hit for Pérez. | 7 | 4 |
| González flied out to right. | 7 | 4 |
| Kipnis flied out to center. | 7 | 4 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Tampa Bay Rays
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dickerson LF | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | .335 | .382 | .608 |
Bourjos LF
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .204 | .264 | .367 |
| Kiermaier CF | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 21 | .229 | .320 | .331 |
| Longoria 3B | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 18 | .232 | .299 | .390 |
| Morrison 1B | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | .246 | .331 | .530 |
| Souza Jr. RF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | .259 | .354 | .439 |
| Rasmus DH | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | .268 | .362 | .634 |
| Beckham SS | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 | .279 | .314 | .469 |
| Robertson 2B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | .183 | .329 | .333 |
| Sucre C | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 19 | .286 | .326 | .452 |
| Totals | 38 | 7 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 135 | |||
| BATTING 2B: Sucre (1, Tomlin); Souza Jr. (8, Tomlin) HR: Dickerson (9, 2nd inning off Tomlin 2 on, 2 Out); Morrison (11, 3rd inning off Tomlin 0 on, 1 Out); Sucre (2, 9th inning off Armstrong 0 on, 0 Out) RBI: Sucre 2 (12), Dickerson 3 (18), Morrison (27), Beckham (23) 2-out RBI: Sucre, Dickerson 3 GIDP: Robertson Rays RISP: 4-7 (Dickerson 1-1, Robertson 0-1, Rasmus 1-1, Souza Jr. 0-1, Sucre 1-2, Beckham 1-1) Team LOB: 5 | ||||||||||
Game Information
| Stadium | Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH |
| Attendance | 22,104 (60% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 3:20 |
| Weather | 83 degrees, cloudy |
| Wind | 18 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Ben May, First Base - Eric Cooper, Second Base - Gary Cederstrom, Third Base - Gabe Morales |
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