Indians send Rays to fourth straight loss
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Ben Francisco drove in a career-high four runs Thursday night to help the Cleveland Indians snap a 10-game losing streak with a 13-2 victory over Tampa Bay that extended the Rays' skid to four.
Francisco and David Dellucci each hit two-run homers in a five-run fifth against Andy Sonnanstine (10-4). Casey Blake hit a solo shot in a seven-run eighth off Gary Glover.
Tampa Bay came in with baseball's best record (55-35), but lost for the 10th straight time in Cleveland. Tampa Bay last won at the Indians' home on Sept. 29, 2005, when Lou Piniella was its manager. The Rays' 26-56 record overall against Cleveland is their worst against any opponent.
(Pictured: Andy Sonnanstine walks to the back of the mound after giving up a two-run home run to Cleveland's Ben Francisco in the fifth inning. AP photo. Click to enlarge.)
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Posted by: Jeff from Maine | July 10, 2008 at 10:26 PM
No, it's not a SLUMP. This is just the "DEVIL Rays" that we have all grown to know and love. This is not a slump, the streak was a FLUKE.
Posted by: KC | July 10, 2008 at 10:32 PM
This one is really hard to take...we needed this game SO freaking bad, and then we stink it up in every possible way. This is exactly what all the naysayers have predicted...when the bright lights start shining on our young Rays, they collapse like a cheap tent. Maybe they can rally and win the next three in Cleveland...but I'm not holding my breath.
Posted by: Andy | July 10, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Looks like they're still in first place to me - you'll have to go back to whining about attendance and fans I guess. boo freakin hoo
Posted by: Craig | July 10, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Even great teams slump from time to time. No need to hit the panic button just yet.
And somebody needs to ban this Sports Vortex guy, or charge him for ad space.
Posted by: (Different) Andy | July 10, 2008 at 10:42 PM
I actually went to the radio show from that sports vortex and it wasn't bad. It was also a live chat so it was easy to interact with the show and listen to the broadcast online. One guy is a sox fan and the other is a phillies fan.
Anyway, disappointed HUGE tonight. This isn't the Titanic but we have to get better. 4 runs in the last 3 games. Where are the bats? The bats really haven't been consistent all year but we're going to have to be able to outscore people sometimes. I mean forget about 13 runs but we're going to need to win 7-6 or 8-7 games during the year. We can't hold the opposition to 2 runs every game. Where are all those people who were posting "don't trade for anybody it will ruin the chemistry?" We need another bat period.
Posted by: RaysFan81 | July 10, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Richie Sexson. NO THANK YOU!!! Don't insult me. I would keep Jonny Gomes for that. This offense is looking dead and lifeless. I am sick of Maddon's gameplan which is-home run or nothing; he needs to make adjustments. Someone should be accountable for this B.S. Maddon should make a statement for every player for not performing either bench (BJ UPTON FOR BEING LAZY AT CF) to get the message or cutting a specific person who is not performing(i.e. Gomes). Losing to the Indians is unaccepable. Boston and Yankees are not going to wait for the Rays stupidity. Rocco Baldelli's career is pretty much in the toilet and you can't rely on him for nothing. Hey J, I don't want to hear Sexson and Rays put together. Hey J, if you want Richie Sexson on your team, this tells me that you are satisfied that your team don't want to compete and you will be happy if being the Rays wind up in .500 That is totally unacceptable. PLEASE PLEASE RELEASE JONNY GOMES ASAP!!! If it takes Niemann and another player for Nady/Bay it is got to be done fast. I'm so upset with the Rays performance. Get Ruggisno up for meantime until this team makes a deal for a RF right handed hitter.
Posted by: Edgar | July 10, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Great job Jonny keep it up and you should have a future with the Rays.
Posted by: Philip | July 10, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Andy, YOU ARE A TYPICAL BAND WAGON FAN, when the going gets tought - you bail. The Rays are in a slump, every teams goes thru one. The character of this team will be tested in the next three days. It won't determine their fate, but it will test their character. I think I can speak for all TRUE RAYS FANS. We will weather this lil set back and far as you are concerned. STAY OFF OUR WAGON!
Posted by: Bodog | July 11, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Zobrist's defense reeks and started tonight's debacle.
Doesn't help when Sonny's not locating his pitches and leaving them right down the middle all night either.
And with Cleveland going with their best pitcher tonight, doesn't look like the Rays will get out of their losing streak, especially when the bats went bye-bye. Especially the 2-4 batters.
Posted by: Ray | July 11, 2008 at 01:55 AM
Did I mention I'm a troll?
Posted by: KC | July 11, 2008 at 02:36 AM
No, but I did mention before that all the fair weather fans in the area will all lose their interest in the Rays now that they are playing like they usually do.
Posted by: KC | July 11, 2008 at 06:27 AM
Please ignore KC comments. However, we should hit to get on base. Hitting for the fences is a lock to lose. It seems like KC is unhappy that we won the series. Awwwwweeeeee. Sorry KC. Lets work with the team we have I say. Focus on getting on base and the rest will take care of itself. Thanks.
Posted by: BG | July 11, 2008 at 06:51 AM
KC, I have lived here for over 20 years and seen a Stanley Cup and a Super Bowl. I want an MLB pennant. What do you have to day to that ? Rays nation.........
Posted by: BG | July 11, 2008 at 07:03 AM
City of Champions !!!! Enough said....
Posted by: BG | July 11, 2008 at 07:04 AM
City of Champions !!!! Enough said....
who???? Not the Tampa Bay Area - you win 1 Stanley Cup and 1 SB (both of which are flukes because you haven't done anything since)...
TRY BOSTON - the City of CHampions...just in the past 7 years..
3 Super Bowls
2 World Series
1 NBA Championship
Posted by: Jerry | July 11, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Hey guys, did I mention that I'm a CASUAL sports fan? You guys probably figured that out by my comments about ANY title being a "fluke".
PS) I like little boys
:)
Posted by: Jerry | July 11, 2008 at 09:11 AM
I love it when Boston & NY fans post comments regarding an article on a Rays/Indians game. It just show their lack of class to take jabs at the Rays when they lose. Well here is a message to you guys, "The Rays are in first place and will be contenders for years to come!"
Anyway, the Rays need a right handed power hitting outfielder. They have too many left handed hitters in their lineup and they struggle against left handed pitching. I would love to see them make a move for Matt Holiday. He won't be a 3 month rental since he is signed through 2009. After 2009 they can decide what to do. I don't think he is worth giving up David Price, but there has to be another way to make this deal happen.
Posted by: SG - OBU | July 11, 2008 at 09:53 AM
FLUKE - anything that happens ONCE but doesn't happen again!
Bucs - ha
Lighting - ha
Posted by: | July 11, 2008 at 09:57 AM
"The Rays are in first place and will be contenders for years to come!"
I love comedy so early in the morning!
Posted by: | July 11, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Hi I just posted at 9:57 & again at 9:58 and I don't list my name when I post because I'm afraid someone might single me out and say bad things about me. If that hapens then I'll have to run home crying to my mommy to make me feel better...
Posted by: | July 11, 2008 at 10:09 AM
You can't count the cheater football championships.......
Posted by: Bill | July 11, 2008 at 10:37 AM
We are all just delirious
Posted by: Bill; BG | July 11, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Look at the bright side, fans:
With the Rays on the road, at least your favorite players get to play in a major league stadium!
Posted by: Lou | July 12, 2008 at 08:22 AM