American League Preview from The Sports Network
Tuesday, July 17th
(All times eastern)
Cleveland Indians (46-43) at Tampa Bay Rays (46-44), 7:10 p.m.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Cleveland - Josh Tomlin (5-5, 5.45)
Tampa Bay - Matt Moore (5-6, 4.42)
(Sports Network) - Tampa lefty Matt Moore tries to avenge one of the worst
starts in his young career this evening when the Rays continue a four-game set
with the Cleveland Indians at Tropicana Field.
Moore was roughed up by the Tribe on July 7 to the tune of five runs and five
hits in 4 2/3 innings. He also walked five batters, as he fell to 5-6 and saw
his ERA rise to 4.42.
"I've had nine days off between starts, so I've had some recollection of
what's been going on," Moore said. "I've definitely been looking at some film,
just trying to stay consistent with my delivery. They hit five doubles off me.
I looked back at some tape and figured out a couple hot spots for the zone. I
think a lot of the reasoning behind that was pitch selection."
Moore, who will be making his second-ever start versus the Indians, hasn't
dropped consecutive decisions since losing on May 17 and May 28.
Cleveland, meanwhile, will counter with righty Josh Tomlin, who was
magnificent against the Rays his last time out. Tomlin hasn't pitched since
July 5 when he held Tampa to a run and two hits over seven innings to run his
record to 5-5 to go along with a 5.45 ERA.
"He's a pitcher. He pitches well," Rays manager Joe Maddon said after the
game. "You cannot cooperate with him. You've got to make him come over the
plate. And whenever he did, it appeared from the side; he was coming over the
edges."
He is 1-1 in three starts against the Rays with a 3.79 ERA.
Cleveland jumped out in front of this series on Monday, as Zach McAllister
pitched six strong innings to help the Indians to a 3-2 win.
McAllister (4-1) won his third straight decision as he gave up just one run on
three hits for the Indians, who won for only the second time in their last
five tries. Shin-Soo Choo went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored while
Jason Kipnis added two hits and an RBI.
Desmond Jennings hit a solo home run while Jeff Keppinger drove in the other
run for the Rays, who have lost six of their last nine. Alex Cobb (4-6) lasted
just 3 1/3 innings in the start as he gave up three runs -- two earned -- on
five hits with five walks and three strikeouts.
Cleveland has won three of its five matchups with the Rays this season.
07/17 17:15:42 ET

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