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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion are back together and had the chance to celebrate a historic tour in Toronto.
Donaldson became blameless at his debut in Cleveland, Encarnacion reached 30 homers for the seventh consecutive season, and the Indians beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-0 on Tuesday night.
Donaldson was on deck when Encarnacion went to the bottom and the two men exchanged a high-five afterwards.
"We try to have fun," said Encarnacion. "It's nice to find him on the same team."
Cleveland lowered its magic number to three for a third consecutive title of AL Central. Second place Minnesota hosted the New York Yankees.
Acquired from Toronto on Aug. 31, Donaldson was 0 for 4 in his first major league game since May 28, a layoff caused by a stretched left calf. The MVP AL 2015 flew to the deep center and deep right, hit and landed in a forceout. The third-baseman made a clever hold on the back of the sixth inning of C.J. Cron.
"It even seemed like Donaldson," said Terry Francona, Indian leader. "He made ferocious jumps and he was on a lot of ground. He came across a couple and had nothing to show. He has time and it becomes exciting.
Jose Ramirez went from third to second place and second baseman Jason Kipnis moved to the center.
Yan Gomes also drew and rookie Shane Bieber (10-3) eliminated a record of 11 goals in 6 2/3, three hits and three goals.
Tampa Bay broke its record of 12 home wins and lost for the fourth time in 21 games overall.
The Rays dropped to 8 ½ games behind Oakland for the second Wild card with 18 games to play. The teams will meet in a series of three games this weekend.
"The odds are against us, but I'm very excited," said Blake Snell, a Rays ace. "This team is special."
Gomes beat Tyler Glasnow (0-4) in the fifth inning and Encarnacion in sixth on seven in seven innings.
Encarnacion, Ramirez (37) and Francisco Lindor (34) are the fifth trio of Indians to reach 30 circuits in the same season.
"It's amazing, something I never imagined," said Encarnacion. "I'm proud of what I was doing."
Bieber gave three hits and three steps. Brad Hand, relieved by two points and two outs in the seventh, beat batter Matt Duffy, then fell behind Mallex Smith 3-0 before winning on a full field.
"It has been difficult for about eight pitches, but he's getting back on his feet," said Francona.
Cody Allen made a ninth stroke, completing a four-pointer for his 27th save on 32 occasions.
Tommy Pham, of Tampa Bay, scored in the first and has a best run of 15 career wins.
Rays manager Kevin Cash was ejected in the eighth end for defending a call to Vidal Nuno.
CONFIGURATION OF ACE
The Indians will escape Corey Kluber, an 18-game winner this weekend, to give him a few extra days off to prepare for the playoffs.
.@AlPawlowski and @JLEWFifty discuss Terry Francona's plan to realign the @Indiens& # 39; rotation in preparation for the playoffs.#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/MEmkxDZDW6
– Ohio SportsTime (@ SportsTimeOhio) September 11, 2018
NUMEBRS
Bieber is 6-0 in 10 road starts. … Cleveland pitchers scored 29 outs, including 13 on Tuesday, in the first two games of the series.
ROOM OF TRAINERS
Indians: RHP Trevor Bauer (right fibula stress fracture) must get rid of a tumulus on Wednesday. … RCP Cody Anderson (right elbow surgery) made 27 shots in two-thirds of a run for Double-A Akron against New Hampshire in the opening game of the Eastern League championship series.
Spokes: CF Kevin Kiermaier (illness) was absent from training for the second consecutive game, but was in the circle on the bridge at the end of the match. … RHP Jose Mujica was operated by Tommy John.
FOLLOWING
Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco (16-8) starts Wednesday.
Rays: Snell (18-5) is looking to take the league lead by imposing 5-7 last season. "It's amazing how much better it has been in a year," said Francona.
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