By Eric Sachs

After getting off to a quick start the Rays can't hold on to an early 4-0 lead. Both Jeremy Hellickson and Justin Masterson went 4 and 2/3 innings, but neither would qualify for a decision as this game was turned over to the bullpens. Esmil Rogers got the win for the Indians and Kyle Farnsworth took the loss for Tampa Bay.

The Rays came into tonight's game looking to pick up back-to-back wins for the first time since the All-Star break. Hellickson got off to a strong start retiring fourteen of the first sixteen batters he faced. The offense got rolling early with with an Elliot Johnson RBI single followed by a B.J. Upton sacrafice fly giving the Rays an early 2-0 lead.

Luke Scott and Desmond Jennings both had big nights for the Rays, each providing RBI singles in the third inning to extend the Rays lead to 4-0. It wasn't until the fifth inning with two outs that the Indians got on the board. A two -run double by Jack Hannahan followed by an RBI single by Shin-Soo Choo brought the Indians within one-run of the lead.

Hellickson turned the game and a one-run lead over to the bullpen in the seventh. After retiring the first two batters he face then giving up a pair of singles, Kyle Farnsworth was relieved by Jake McGee who coughed up five runs. Singles by Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley gave the Indians a 5-4 lead until Carlos Santana came to the plate and cranked a three-run home run giving the Indians an 8-4 lead.

The Rays, who walked ten times in the game couldn't seem to come up with the key hit they so desperatly needed. Tampa Bay's first five hitters combined for a 1-18 night at the plate.  

Both the Indians and the Rays would tack on a few extra runs in the ninth inning, but in the end the Indians were able to hold on for a 10-6 victory in a game that took over three and a half hours.

The Rays will look to get back on track tomorrow as they take on the Indians in the series finale of this four game set, with David Price (12-4, 2.80) facing Ubaldo Jimenez (8-8, 5.09 ERA). First pitch for tomorrow’s matinee is set for 12:10 PM, pregame coverage starting at 11:30 AM on WDAE.