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  Sunday, Apr. 9 8:00pm ET
Cleveland 17, Tampa Bay 4
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME LOG

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) _ Kenny Lofton and Omar Vizquel, Cleveland's first two hitters, drove in nine runs as the Indians beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 17-4 on Sunday night to complete a three-game sweep.

Vizquel, who had a grand slam Friday night, knocked in five runs. He had a two-run single in the fourth inning, drove in two more with a double in the fifth and had a sacrifice fly in the second. Lofton had a two-run triple in the second, an RBI double in the fourth and an RBI groundout in the fifth.

Roberto Alomar, David Justice and Manny Ramirez added two-run homers for the Indians, who improved to 4-2 during a season-opening nine-game road trip.

Ramirez's 421-foot homer to center off Dave Eiland in the seventh inning was the 200th of his career.

Indians starter Bartolo Colon (2-0) allowed one run and five hits in six innings. He struck out nine and walked five.

The Indians offensive output was their biggest since a 20-11 victory over Tampa Bay last May 7.

Cleveland's Jim Thome did not take part in the outburst, striking out a record-tying five times and walking once.

The Devil Rays, who were outscored 37-13 in the series, have dropped five of their past six games.

The Indians jumped on Tampa Bay starter Ryan Rupe (0-1) for five runs in the second inning. Sandy Alomar had a two-run single, Lofton knocked in a pair with a triple and Vizquel added a sacrifice fly.

Cleveland has scored 23 runs _ over six games _ in the second inning this season.

Tampa Bay loaded the bases with one out in the third, but scored just once on Greg Vaughn's groundout. Colon ended the threat by striking out Herbert Perry.

The Indians chased Rupe in the fourth inning after Lofton's RBI double made it 6-1.

Rupe allowed eight runs _ six earned _ and six hits in 3 1-3 innings.

Vizquel greeted reliever Jim Morris with a two-run single and Roberto Alomar hit a two-run homer, putting Cleveland up 10-1.

Vizquel hit a two-run double in the fifth off Morris, who gave up five runs _ two earned _ and four hits in 1 1-3 innings.

Justice homered off Rick White in the sixth.

Notes: Thome was 37th player to strike out five times. Philadelphia's Scott Rolen was the last player to do it on Aug. 23, 1999. ... Ramierz struck out three of his first four at-bats before homering. ... Lofton, who returned three months earlier than expected following left rotator cuff surgery, might get a day off Monday at Oakland after playing in all six games this season. ... Tampa Bay RHP Juan Guzman is scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews Monday about his ailing right shoulder. ... Devil Rays 3B Vinny Castilla (left oblique strain) is expected to come off the disabled list on Tuesday. OF Jose Guillen (right shoulder tendinitis) might be activated on Wednesday.

 


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