Indians shut out by Tampa

Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.

Not even the return of Grady Sizemore could help the Cleveland Indians against David Price.

Price struck out a career-high 12 over seven innings, Casey Kotchman and Sam Fuld both homered, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Indians 5-0 Friday.

Sizemore was activated from the 15-day disabled list and went 0-for-4, including two strikeouts, as the designated hitter.

“Welcome to the big leagues, he’s coming back and he has to face David Price right off the bat,” Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. “Hey, he’s good player and he’s going to get his timing down and he’s going to help us a big deal. Excited to have him back.”

Price (6-4) scattered four hits and walked two. The left-hander had given up 10 runs in 112/3 innings during his previous two starts.

“We couldn’t do anything against him,” Acta said. “He was overpowering.”

The Rays went up 4-0 in the second on two-run homers by Kotchman and Fuld off Josh Tomlin (6-2). Relievers Joel Peralta and Adam Russell completed the four-hitter.

Tomlin allowed four runs and 10 hits in six innings for the AL Central-leading Indians, who have lost three straight. Cleveland has been outscored 23-4 over that stretch.

“They’re good. They’re not going anywhere,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “They’ve done it in a very typical Cleveland way, very quietly. Then all of a sudden they spring it on you. When you really look at it, it’s not that surprising. They’re willing to take their lumps when they have to, then they always seem to be able to put it back together.”