Powered by five runs in the first three innings, the Cleveland Indians took command of their four-game set with Tampa Bay on Saturday night in a key 7-3 victory
Starter Ubaldo Jimenez picked up the win for the Indians to move to 8-7 on the year, posting six strong innings of two-run ball with eight strikeouts. Jimenez's offense staked him to a convenient five-run advantage early on, led entirely by a series of doubles and RBI groundouts in the second and third innings.
While a Luke Scott two-run bomb would eventually spoil Jimenez's shutout, designated hitter Shelley Duncan chipped in his eighth home run of the season in the eighth frame to plate catcher Carlos Santana and effectively put the game out of reach. Saturday's appearance represented Duncan's second since July 3 against the Angels, in a game where he also added a key home run.
Indians manager Manny Acta will give the ball to Zach McAllister on Sunday for the fourth and final game of the series.
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