ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Carlos Carrasco pitched eight efficient innings, Jason Kipnis hit his first homer and the Indians beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 on Wednesday night.
Carrasco (1-0) came within one strike of a no-hitter here last July and held Tampa Bay to just a single and a walk through the first seven innings in this one. He allowed a run on three hits in the eighth inning and finished with eight strikeouts and just 93 pitches.
Drew Smyly (0-2) tied a career high with 11 strikeouts in seven innings for the Rays. The left-hander gave up three runs on three hits, all in the fourth inning.
Cody Allen pitched the ninth for his second save.
Kipnis homered off Erasmo Ramirez in the eighth.