MARK DIDTLER
Associated Press
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Erik Bedard silenced the Cleveland Indians bats.
Bedard gave up one hit in six shutout innings, James Loney had three hits and drove in two runs, and the Tampa Bay Rays broke a four-game skid Saturday night with a 7-1 victory over the Indians.
Winning his second straight start after 15 consecutive starts without a win, Bedard gave up a double to Ryan Raburn in the second inning, Cleveland’s only hit until Lonnie Chisenhall led off the ninth with a single off Grant Balfour.
“He just really mixed and matched angles, speeds, everything,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. “Ray hit the line drive double, but other than that, there was a lot of lazy flyballs. Kind of exactly what he wants you to do.”
Juan Carlos Oviedo took over in the seventh for Bedard (2-1) and pitched two perfect innings.
The Indians finished with three hits, with two coming off Balfour.
Bedard struck four and walked three while holding the Indians to 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position.
“He’s got that little turn in his delivery, so he hides the ball a little bit,” Indians right fielder David Murphy said. “He’s been around a long time. He knows how to pitch.”
Bedard entered 0-3 with a 6.45 ERA in eight starts against Tampa Bay since beating the Rays on July 8, 2006.
“It all comes down to throwing strikes,” Bedard said. “All my off-speed was working.”
Zach McAllister (3-3) gave up five runs and eight hits in 4 1-3 innings for the Indians, who had won four straight.
“From the very first inning he was working from behind,” Francona said. “At some point it kind of catches up.”
McAllister is winless in four starts since winning three straight.
“They’re aggressive in the strike zone,” McAllister said.
David DeJesus drove in Tampa Bay’s first run with a two-out single in the third.
The Rays made it 3-0 in the fourth when Loney’s first hit was followed by Wil Myers’ double and the first of two sacrifice flies by Matt Joyce. Yunel Escobar drove in the second run with a two-out single.
Raburn drove in the Indians’ run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth.
Ben Zobrist had two hits and scored twice for the Rays, who had lost six straight home games.
NOTES: John Axford is out as the Indians’ closer, Francona announced before the game. A group of four relievers that includes Cody Allen, Scott Atchison, Marc Rzepczynski and Bryan Shaw could all get opportunities to fill the role. … Chisenhall entered in the eighth and played first base for the first time in his pro career. … Indians CF Michael Bourn, as expected, was rested. He played Thursday and Friday after missing three games with a tight left hamstring. … Cleveland’s Carlos Santana is in an 1 for 28 slide and is hitting .136 this season. … Rays RHP Chris Archer (2-1) and Indians RHP Josh Tomlin (1-0) are Sunday’s scheduled starters.
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