Monday night the Cleveland Indians fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5 with a walk-off ninth inning two-run homer for Tampa.
The Rays improve to 79-64 on the season, while the Indians fall to 81-63. The Indians are now 4-6 in their last ten games.
Designated hitter Ji-Man Choi hits a two-run walk-off home run to right field to defeat the Indians with two outs off Tribe closer Brad Hand after it appeared he had thrown a third strike before Choi came up. The Rays are on a five game winning streak.
Here are three takeaways from Monday’s affair.
1. Corey Kluber Struggles
In the preview, I discussed how good Kluber has been his past five games. Monday night, the Rays got to him early. Kluber started losing his command and the Rays pounced. Monday’s game may have been the dagger for Corey Kluber and his CY Young chances.
Kluber’s stat line: 1.2 innings, 5 hits, 4 runs, 4 earned, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts, 1 home run, 2.91 ERA. 55 pitches and only 31 for strikes.
2. Indians Battle Back
After Kluber imploded, the Indians had several chances to take a lead. After only getting one run in the fifth. The Indians would tie the game in sixth with a two-run double from RF Brandon Guyer. Even after the Indians got a 5-4 lead the following the inning; The Indians would end up losing to the Rays 6-5 thanks to a two-run walk-off home run from DH Ji-Man Choi.
3. Return of the Miller
LHP Andrew Miller was activated from the disable list Monday, and did not disappoint in his first outing back with the team. He looked like the Miller of old. His velocity was up. His pitches had a lot of nasty to them. He was throwing strikes – a great sign for the lefty.
Miller’s stat line: 1 inning, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts, 3.24 ERA. 12 pitches, 10 for strikes.
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