Things got away from the Cleveland Indians on Friday night. After notching the score at 2 runs apiece, the Tampa Bay Rays exploded for eight more by the end of the fifth inning for a 10-3 win in front of a dwindling crowd at Progressive Field.
Justin Masterson struggled in his 18th start of the season. Struggling with his control, Masterson gave up four runs through three innings before the wheels came off entirely in the fifth. B.J. Upton singled to start the inning, and Luke Scott put a ball over the center field fence to give the Rays six runs. Masterson was pulled after issuing his fourth walk, but Nick Hagadone gave up a double that scored a pair of inherited runners, giving Masterson eight earned runs on the night.
Travis Hafner grounded into a double play that gave Cleveland their first run of the game in the bottom of the first. Hafner hit a home run in Thursday's win over the Rays.
The loss is only the second one in six games since the start of the month for Cleveland, who are still in second place in the AL Central. The Indians and Rays do it again on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. Eastern.
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