Cleveland Indians’ Carrasco Just Misses No-Hitter in Third Straight Win Over Rays

Carrasco comes within a strike of no-hitter for Indians

Things for the Cleveland Indians have come together in the last three games. Yes, the Tampa Bay Rays have been scuffling a bit, but you have to take advantage when you catch teams in a vulnerable position–and the Tribe have done just that in all aspects. Carlos Carrasco came within a strike of a no-hitter, but the Indians still cruised to an 8-1 win and their third straight.

Carrasco (10-6, 3.88) was on point all night, striking out 13 in his pursuit of history. While he came up short on the no-no, allowing a single to Joey Butler, he did become just the third AL pitcher to reach 10 wins this season. For the third straight game, the Indians (36-41) took a no-hitter into at least the fifth inning, the first time in the post-expansion era in 1961. Even with the hit in the ninth, we still were getting to witness history.

The Rays (42-38) have had no answer for the Indians’ pitching, and it doesn’t look to get easier tomorrow with Corey Kluber headed to the mound for the Tribe. Rays starter Alex Colome (3-4, 4.70)had pitched well against the Indians his last effort against them wasn’t as lucky this time out. He did log seven innings but allowed five runs on eight hits in taking the loss.

The once non-existent offense came to play again, as the Indians posted an eight-spot against the Rays. Brandon Moss drove in five on two hits, including a three-run home run in the eighth for his 13th of the year. Jason Kipnis went 2-for-5, keeping his average at .346.

After the last two games, it seemed unlikely for Carrasco to top the two performances that preceded him, but he did just that. And this is before the defending Cy Young has even taken the mound in this series. He gets his chance tomorrow. They need to keep these bats hot as no one deserves support more than Kluber.

What’s Next:

The Indians send the aforementioned Kluber (3-9, 3.66) to the hill for the sweep tomorrow against the Rays Matt Moore as he makes his long-awaited return to the rotation following Tommy John surgery. In his career against the Tribe he’s 2-1 with a 3.78 ERA.