Kiermaier drives in 5 runs, Rays extend Indians' skid to 8

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Kevin Kiermaier homered and drove in a career-high five runs, Vidal Bruján had an RBI single in his major league debut, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the sliding Cleveland Indians 8-1 on Wednesday in a doubleheader opener.

Kiermaier had a two-run double in the first and connected on a three-run shot off J.C. Mejia (1-4) during the third.

Michael Wacha (2-2) allowed one run, four hits and struck out six in six innings. Ryan Sherriff worked the seventh to complete a four-hitter.

Franmil Reyes homered for the Indians, who have lost eight in a row. He homered and tied a career-high with five RBIs in Monday night’s 9-8 loss to the Rays.

The skid matches the longest during manager Terry Francona’s time with Cleveland. The Indians also dropped eight straight from Sept. 8-16, 2020, and from June 2-10, 2013.

Bruján had a remarkable first inning, which saw the 23-year-old take away a hit from Amed Rosario in the top half by diving to his left on a hard-hit grounder. Bruján followed that up later in the inning with an RBI single, then stole second and scored on Kiermaier’s double for a 3-0 lead.

Kiermaier’s second homer of the season gave Tampa Bay a 6-1 lead in the third and ended Mejia’s day.

Brandon Lowe, who hit his first career grand slam Monday, made it 7-1 on his 18th homer during the fourth. He has gone deep four times in his last six games.

Brett Phillips added a sixth-inning solo drive for the Rays.

Reyes pulled the Indians to 3-1 on a second-inning homer.

Mejia gave up six runs, four hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings.

The doubleheader includes a makeup of a game postponed Tuesday night due to Hurricane Elsa.

Left-hander Sam Hentges (1-3) was to start the second game for Cleveland. Lefty...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Kiermaier-drives-in-5-runs-Rays-extend-Indians-16299020.php