Martinez gets 2 RBIs, Tribe sweeps Rays in 2-1 win

[May 29, 2009]  CLEVELAND (AP) -- Rookie David Huff and four relievers combined to stifle the Tampa Bay Rays and Victor Martinez drove in both runs for the Cleveland Indians in a 2-1 victory Thursday, completing a sweep of the defending American League champions.

It's the first four-game sweep for the Indians since they did it to the Rays last July 10-13 at Progressive Field. The Rays have now lost 17 in a row in Cleveland, the longest road losing streak against one team in club history.

The Rays' run came on Willy Aybar's homer in the sixth, which was upheld after using video replay. Tampa Bay has lost five straight.

Aybar's 1-0 pitch to right field was just out of the reach of a leaping Shin-Soo Choo. Replays showed the ball hit the yellow line atop the wall before caroming back into the field of play. First base umpire Angel Hernandez immediately ruled it a home run, prompting Indians manager Eric Wedge to argue. After a 90-second video review, crew chief Tim Welke confirmed the call.

Asdrubal Cabrera reached on a bunt single in the third off Tampa Bay starter Jeff Niemann (4-4). He scored on a groundout by Martinez, who singled to drive home Kelly Shoppach in the fifth for the game's only other run.

Play was stopped by rain in the fourth inning for 2 hours, 40 minutes. The final three games of this series were delayed by rain, and Tampa Bay has now endured rain delays in four of its last five games.

The delay prevented Huff from picking up his first major league victory after he was off to the best start of his brief career.

He entered 0-1 with a 17.55 ERA, and was blasted by the Rays for seven runs in 3 2-3 innings last week in his major league debut. Huff had allowed four hits through four innings Thursday before giving way to the rain. Jensen Lewis, Matt Herges (1-0), Rafael Betancourt and Kerry Wood combined to pitch the final five innings. Wood worked the ninth for his eighth save in 10 chances.

It was a difficult road trip for the Rays, who went 2-5 against the Florida Marlins and Cleveland, placing their shortstop, second baseman, closer and staff ace on the disabled list in the span of a week.

Notes: Prior to the game, the Indians recalled Tomo Ohka from Triple-A Columbus and optioned Zach Jackson back to Columbus. ... Right-hander Anthony Reyes was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Ohka. ... The Indians remain home to open a four-game series against the Yankees ... Ben Zobrist started for the second straight game at short for the Rays after starting in right field the first two games of the series. ... The Rays return home Friday to open a three-game series against the Twins.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.