Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians Box Score on Jul 25, 2021

The host Cleveland Indians scored twice in the eighth inning and beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.

Before Sunday, Cleveland had not beaten Tampa Bay since 2019, a run of 11 consecutive losses.

The Rays, who had won the first three games of this four-game set, saw their five-game winning streak come to an end.

Cleveland struggled to get anything going against Tampa Bay starter Ryan Yarbrough but popped to life in the eighth against reliever Matt Wisler (3-4).

Down 2-1, Cesar Hernandez led off with a single through the infield then moved to second when Amed Rosario was struck on the hand.

Cleveland tied the score on a single from Harold Ramirez, and Bobby Bradley gave the Indians their first and final lead of the day on a sacrifice fly to center.

Tampa Bay went back to the bullpen and brought in Sean Poppen with a runner at second and one out. After getting a ground out, Poppen struck out catcher Roberto Perez to end the threat.

Cleveland's Emmanuel Clase came on in the ninth and put the Rays down in order for his 12th save of the season.

Tampa Bay took the initial lead with two outs in the first when Randy Arozarena scored on a grounder from Austin Meadows.

Cleveland tied it moments later when Cesar Hernandez led off the bottom of the first with his 17th home run of the season.

The Rays made it a 2-1 game when Nelson Cruz led off the sixth with a home run over the centerfield fence.

Cruz, acquired in a trade with Minnesota on Thursday, now has 29 homers against the Indians.

Neither starting pitcher factored into Sunday's decision despite fine outings.

Cleveland rookie Triston McKenzie went six innings, giving up two runs off five hits with six strikeouts.

Yarbrough pitched seven innings, allowing one run off five hits with six strikeouts.

--Field Level Media