Davis, Indians have tough day against Mets

Corey Kluber still is looking for first win

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Indians centerfielder Rajai Davis had a rough afternoon during the Indians’ 6-0 loss to the New York Mets on Sunday.

Davis lost two fly balls in the sun in a three-run second inning, contributing to another loss for Corey Kluber.

Despite wearing sunglasses, Davis allowed Curtis Granderson’s two-out fly to drop about 5 feet from him into the warning track in the second.

Kluber fielded Asdrubal Cabrera’s bunt toward the third-base line and threw wildly to first. Cabrera was given an RBI and took second on the error.

Michael Conforto’s ground ball hit first base and bounced past Mike Napoli, allowing Cabrera to score. Yoenis Cespedes lofted a fly ball to medium depth in center that fell several feet from Davis as Conforto scored.

“I’m sure that’s an awful feeling,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “You feel probably pretty naked.”

Kluber (0-3) gave up six runs and nine hits in six innings, struck out eight and walked one. He is 9-19 since winning the 2014 AL Cy Young Award.

“It was unfortunate that it had to turn out this way for him, but this is the game of baseball,” Davis said. “Sometimes we don’t have control over these things.”

Mets left-hander Steven Matz allowed three hits in seven innings and the Indians struck out 15 times against four pitchers.

Kluber’s problems in the first began with a leadoff walk to Granderson.

“He’s pitching out of the stretch right off the get-go,” Francona said. “He got hurt with his fastball early. In the second inning, he’s got a chance for an easy inning, two outs, get the fly ball and turn it into three more. That hurt a lot.”

Davis wasn’t the only Indians player to have problems with the sun. Catcher Yan Gomes lost Cespedes’ foul pop in the first, which was originally called an error but changed to a no play. Cespedes then struck out.

Matz (1-1) struck out out a career high nine in bouncing back from his first career loss. The 24-year-old left-hander allowed seven in 12/3 innings against Miami last Monday.

“He showed what he can do when he commands his pitches,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “He was outstanding.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: C Travis d’Arnaud (bruised left elbow) was out of the lineup after being hit by a pitch Saturday. It’s unlikely he’ll play Monday in Philadelphia. Kevin Plawecki started behind the plate and had two hits.

Indians: OF Lonnie Chisenhall (sore left wrist) is expected to return Wednesday. He’s scheduled to play the next two days at Double-A Akron. Chisenhall was placed on the 15-day disabled list March 28.

UP NEXT

Mets: RHP Noah Syndergaard is to start the opener of a three-game series today in Philadelphia against RHP Jerad Eickhoff.

Indians: Cleveland opens a three-game series at home with Seattle on Tuesday, when RHP Carlos Carrasco is to face LHP Wade Miley.