ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jason Bartlett laid down a bunt to drive in the winning run in the 11th inning as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Indians 4-3 on Monday night.
John Jaso hit a one-out infield single against Jamey Wright (1-2) and went to third on Gabe Kapler's hit-and-run single to right. Bartlett then laid down a bunt on the first base side of the mound that Wright fielded and was forced to make a desperation toss toward the plate that went over catcher Mike Redmond's head.
Andy Sonnanstine (1-0), the sixth Tampa Bay reliever, struck out two during a perfect 11th, helping the Rays improve to a major league-best 27-11 this season.
Trevor Crowe, filling in for injured center fielder Grady Sizemore, put the Indians up 3-2 with an RBI single during the sixth. The Rays pulled even at 3 on Hank Blalock's two-out, run-scoring single off reliever Chris Perez in the eighth.
Crowe just missed making a diving catch on Blalock's game-tying hit.
Tampa Bay took a 2-0 lead in the first when Carl Crawford had an RBI triple and later scored on Evan Longoria's single. Longoria has driven 18 runs in his last 18 games.
Jhonny Peralta pulled the Indians within 2-1 on second-inning run-scoring single. Luis Valbuena tied it at 2 with an RBI single in the fourth.
Fausto Carmona allowed two runs and five hits over 6 2/3 innings for the Indians. The right-hander allowed just one baserunner — a fourth-inning walk to B.J. Upton — from the second through the sixth.
Tampa Bay's Jeff Niemann gave up three runs and 10 hits in six-plus innings.
Cleveland loaded the bases with two outs in the third, but failed to score when Russell Branyan popped out. The Indians also hit into double plays during the fourth and the fifth.
Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera left in the first with a left forearm injury. The infielder was hurt when he dove for Blalock's grounder up the middle and Peralta, who also was attempting to make a play, tumbled into him.
Trainers placed a protective wrap on Cabrera's forearm.
Cabrera was on the first base side of second, while third baseman Peralta was positioned at short as part of a defensive shift.
Notes
Sizemore, who bruised his left knee Sunday, was available off the bench. "Grady's doing a lot better," manager Manny Acta said. … Tampa Bay LHP J.P. Howell (strained left shoulder) shut down his simulated game after 12 pitches due to shoulder discomfort. "It's a setback, no question," manager Joe Maddon said. Howell will be re-evaluated by the team medical staff. … Rays RHP Joaquin Benoit struck out all five batters he faced.