Indians right-hander Cody Anderson has given up one run in 15 2/3 innings of two starts in the majors -- both against Tampa Bay.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Cody Anderson allowed one run on two hits in eight innings as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 7-1, Monday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Anderson was perfect for 6 1/3 innings, then former Indian Grady Sizemore homered.
Tribe hitting machine Jason Kipnis went 3-for-4 with one walk, one RBI and two runs. He scored in the ninth on a wild pitch by Ronald Belisario during an intentional walk to Michael Brantley.
Here is a capsule look at the game after a DVR review of the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast:
Back in business: The Indians (34-41) snapped a three-game losing streak (swept at Baltimore over the weekend) and two-game scoreless streak (swept in doubleheader Sunday).
Slumping: Manager Kevin Cash's Rays (42-36) have dropped six of eight.
A is for Anderson: Just two starts into Anderson's MLB career, this much is certain: He absolutely, positively enjoys facing the Rays.
In his debut June 21 in Cleveland, Anderson held the Rays to six hits in 7 2/3 shutout innings. The Tribe scored in the ninth and won, 1-0.
In the rematch, he was more dominant even though he allowed a run. He struck out two and walked none. He threw 68 of 100 pitches for strikes. He exited with a 3-1 lead.
Anderson relied on a fastball/changeup/cutter combination. He and catcher Yan Gomes conducted a clinic in how to:
*Change speeds and eye levels.
*Move pitches all around the zone (read: quality strikes), and off the plate with a purpose.
*Use the fastball inside to set up the changeup away.
*Be unpredictable in hitter's counts.
*Keep hitters on the defensive by working quickly, primarily the result of being in sync with each other.
Here is a pitch-by-pitch breakdown of Anderson's start:
FIRST INNING
(L) Kevin Kiermaier -- 91 in dirt; 93 fastball foul; 93 fastball up and in; 93 fastball foul (inner half); 92 fastball foul (outside corner); 91 fastball, grounder to first (down).
(L) Grady Sizemore -- 93 fastball called strike (outer half); 84 changeup swinging strike (outside); 89 cutter, fly to left.
(R) Evan Longoria -- 93 fastball low; 90 cutter outside; 94 fastball foul; 85 changeup, grounder to pitcher.
(13 pitches)
SECOND INNING
(L) David DeJesus -- fastball called strike (outside corner); 91 fastball foul (outer half); 83 changeup foul (outside); 93 fastball, pop to second (over plate at belt).
(R) Logan Forsythe -- 92 fastball called strike (inside corner); 84 changeup, grounder to short.
(R) Steven Souza Jr. -- 93 fastball outside; 89 cutter swinging strike; 92 fastball inside; 93 fastball outside; 93 fastball swinging strike (inside); 94 fastball, liner to center.
(12 pitches)
THIRD INNING
(L) Asdrubal Cabrera -- 92 fastball foul (down); 87 cutter foul; 92 fastball, grounder to second (outside).
(L) Marc Krauss -- 92 fastball called strike; 83 changeup outside; 92 fastball inside; 92 fastball foul; 83 changeup, called strikeout (outer half).
(R) Rene Rivera -- 93 fastball, pop to first.
(9 pitches)
FOURTH INNING
(L) Kevin Kiermaier -- 88 cutter called strike; 91 fastball foul (outside corner); 80 breaking pitch foul (ripped down RFL); 93 fastball high; 93 fastball, fly to left.
(L) Grady Sizemore -- 92 fastball foul; 93 fastball, fly to center.
(R) Evan Longoria -- 89 cutter called strike; 94 fastball outside; 92 fastball, grounder to third (inside).
(10 pitches)
FIFTH INNING
(L) David DeJesus -- 91 fastball, liner to short (Francisco Lindor shaded up middle).
(R) Logan Forsythe -- 92 fastball called strike; 91 fastball down and in; 87 cutter high and outside; 92 fastball swinging strike (outer third); 90 fastball, grounder to third.
(R) Steven Souza Jr. -- 87 cutter called strike (outer half); 83 changeup foul; 93 fastball outside (barely); 89 cutter down and away; 83 changeup down and away; 93 fastball, foul pop to first (inner third).
(12 pitches)
SIXTH INNING
(L) Asdrubal Cabrera -- 92 fastball low; 92 fastball, grounder to third (inner half).
(L) Marc Krauss -- 82 changeup called strike (outer third); 92 fastball, fly to center.
(R) Rene Rivera -- 93 fastball called strike; 91 fastball down and in; 88 cutter down and away; 92 fastball foul; 84 changeup foul; 92 fastball foul (inside corner); 83 changeup foul; 92 fastball high and outside; 92 fastball foul (inside); 93 fastball, foul pop to third (inside corner).
(14 pitches)
SEVENTH INNING
(L) Kevin Kiermaier -- 90 fastball high; 92 fastball called strike (inner third); 86 cutter down and in; 92 fastball low; 91 fastball, grounder to first.
(L) Grady Sizemore -- 91 fastball low; 92 fastball foul (off outside corner); 82 changeup called strike (inner third); 91 fastball, homer to right (inner half; catcher Yan Gomes was set up outside).
(Indians lead, 2-1.)
(R) Evan Longoria -- 81 changeup called strike; 93 fastball, single to left (over plate at thighs; Brantley fielding error enables Longoria to reach second).
(Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway visits mound.)
(L) David DeJesus -- 90 fastball, grounder to first (backhanded play by Carlos Santana; Longoria to third).
(R) Logan Forsythe -- 92 fastball called strike (over plate); 90 cutter called strike; 82 changeup down and away; 83 changeup down and away; 93 fastball, fly to right.
(17 pitches)
EIGHTH INNING
(R) Steven Souza Jr. -- fastball low; 80 changeup foul; 90 fastball down and away; 79 changeup low; 90 fastball, liner to left (inside corner).
(L) Asdrubal Cabrera -- 89 fastball outside; 90 fastball, fly to right.
(L) Marc Krauss -- 91 fastball called strike (outside corner); 81 changeup outside; 81 changeup called strike (outside corner); 90 fastball in dirt; 82 changeup foul; 87 cutter, swinging strikeout (inner half).
(13 pitches)
(Bryan Shaw relieves to begin the ninth.)
Three-hit amigos: Gomes (3-for-5, homer) and Brantley (3-for-4, walk) joined Kipnis as Indians who were locked in. The Tribe out-hit the Rays, 13-3.
