Rays get Nelson Cruz in trade, rally to beat Indians in 10

CLEVELAND (AP) — Austin Meadows hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to cap Tampa Bay’s comeback in a 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night, hours after the Rays acquired slugger Nelson Cruz from Minnesota.

Meadows’ one-out liner off Bryan Shaw (3-4) brought home Randy Arozarena, who began the 10th at second base.

Down 4-2 in the ninth, the Rays rallied to tie it against closer James Karinchak on a leadoff homer by Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe’s two-out RBI double.

Pete Fairbanks (3-3) pitched the ninth and Diego Castillo struck out Franmil Reyes and Bobby Bradley with the potential tying run at third in the 10th for his 14th save.

The Rays announced their acquisition of Cruz just before the first pitch.

Needing a big bat for the playoff push, Tampa Bay got a potent one from the disappointing Twins.

The Rays sent minor league pitchers Joe Ryan and Drew Strotman to Minnesota for the 41-year-old Cruz and right-hander Calvin Faucher. Cruz has 436 career homers, and his presence alone will re-shape Tampa Bay’s lineup.

Reyes made Tampa Bay pay for a curious strategy by hitting a three-run homer while helping the Indians take a 4-1 lead.

Reyes connected off Luis Patino in the third inning after Rays manager Kevin Cash inexplicably had the right-hander intentionally walk struggling José Ramírez (hitless in his last 11 at-bats) with two outs to face Cleveland’s dangerous DH.

Indians starter Cal Quantrill allowed just one run in six strong innings before turning it over to Cleveland's bullpen.

In the third, Reyes, who hit a walk-off, three-run homer to beat Kansas City in a similar situation on July 8, lined a 1-2 pitch over the wall in left field for his 17th homer — and sixth in 13 games since being activated from the injured list.

As he rounded third, Reyes...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Rays-get-Nelson-Cruz-in-trade-rally-to-beat-16334180.php