Ramirez, who hadn’t taken the mound 10 days because of a groin strain, kept his team within striking distance early. Erasmo didn’t allow a hit through the front 3-2/3 innings when Jason Kipnis’ popped a two-out homer to right. It was one of only two hits (four base runners total) Ramirez allowed in his 5-2/3 inning return to the mound. From there, the righty sat down seven consecutive batters before allowing a leadoff single in the sixth inning to Michael Bourn, who was caught stealing by Curt Casali. Ramirez was able to incur some revenge on Kipnis by striking him out, but his night was done after he walked Francisco Lindor in the next plate appearance. The smiley one fanned seven and walked one, exiting the game with 84 pitches under his belt (54 strikes).
Ramirez didn’t question manager Kevin Cash’s decision to pull him from the game, although he did seem a bit confused by the timing:
Maybe they were thinking of putting some limits on my pitch count and just, I don’t know, every time they ask me about if I want to go out, I’m just gonna say yes, because I was feeling good and I just want to go deep in the game. Just one mistake to a great hitter, he made me pay for that, but I just take everything overall. I feel good, good to be back to the mound.
Xavier Cedeno got the final batter in the sixth and the first of the seventh. The LOOGY was lifted for Steve Geltz, and the Indians blew the doors open from that point on.
Geltz allowed multiple runs in an outing for only the second time this season and the first time since May 3. Carlos Santana singled up the middle, but Yan Gomes followed by lining out to center. Yet Brandon Moss worked a four-pitch walk before Giovanny Urshela hit a first pitch, three-run homer into the front row in left for a four run advantage. David Murphy further opened the lead in the eighth by hitting a two-run homer to right off Kirby Yates.
Meanwhile the Rays were in the midst of perfection (for the third time in less than seven days) until Salazar walked Asdrubal Cabrera walked to open the sixth. Jake Elmore wiped out the lead runner when he grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, however. Curt Casali broke up the no-no bid with a double to left center, before Kevin Kiermaier flew out to end the inning.
Still Salazar was excellent, and the Rays weren’t able to put a crooked number on the board until the eighth inning, although Cleveland opened up a commanding lead by that time. Cabrera doubled in Logan Forsythe, who led off the inning with a walk, and Cabrera later scored on a two-out throwing error by Lindor.
Citing the need to keep the bullpen fresh, the Rays made a handful of roster moves following the game, optioning Kirby Yates back to Triple-A Durham, and designating Ronald Belisario for assignment. The team corresponded by recalling Preston Guilmet and CJ Riefenhauser.
The New What Next
Alex Colome (3-3, 4.50) will make his 13th start of the season on Wednesday against right-hander Carlos Carrasco (9-6, 4.16 ERA). The Rays have lost each of Colome’s last seven starts, yet they are 18-7 with someone other than El Coballo on the bump. Colome has yielded multiple walks in each of his last seven starts. Over his past seven starts, Carrasco has gone 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA, accruing 46 punch-outs in 45-1/3 innings. He is aiming to become the Indians’ first 10-game winner this year. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 7/1/15 Starting Lineup
Kiermaier CF
Butler LF
Longoria 3B
DeJesus DH
Forsythe 2B
Souza RF
Cabrera SS
Krauss 1B
Casali C
Colome RHP
Noteworthiness
— Cash addressed the most recent roster moves and the teams offensive struggles:
— Steven Souza Jr., who took a big share of blame for the team’s woes, is in the throes of an 0-for-20 slump with 10 strikeouts.
I feel like a lot of the responsibility falls on me, Souza told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times). It’s been unacceptable the way I’ve been at the dish right now. A lot of guys are doing a lot of great things and it just seems like I’m not coming through in situations and that’s on me. I’m going to try and work from here. I’m going to get better, I can promise that.
Cash said the problem is multi-faceted and related to timing:
He’s being a little tentative early in the count and then obviously expanding late. Just pitch selection.
— James Loney went 1-4 as the DH in the first game of his rehab assignment with Charlotte and will play again Wednesday night. Andrew Bellatti allowed two hits in two innings of work, throwing only 16 pitches. John Jaso went 0-3 in this, his third rehab game.