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GAME LOG
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Jason Bere has already made a difference for the Cleveland Indians.
|  | | Jason Bere surrendered just four hits in his eight innings of work to remain perfect for the Indians. |
Bere pitched another strong game for his new team, giving up
four hits in eight innings as the Indians beat the Tampa Bay Devil
Rays 5-1 Thursday night.
Bere (2-0) has won both his starts since being acquired in a
seven-player deal with the Milwaukee Brewers last Friday.
"It's definitely a different type of atmosphere here," Bere
said. "I think we know we have a chance to get to the postseason
now. As far as trying to fit in and that type of thing, I think the
only way to do that is to go out and do your job."
Bere struck out eight and walked two. He benefited from strong
defensive support, including two double plays started by first
baseman Jim Thome.
"He did a good job mixing things up and keeping you
off-balance. It was a bad timing night," Tampa Bay's Steve Cox
said.
In his two starts with Cleveland, Bere has allowed four runs
over 15 innings.
"He's stronger," Cleveland manager Charlie Manuel said. "When
he pitched against us with Milwaukee earlier in the year, he didn't
have the same fastball he's had the past two times out. And he
didn't have the command of his breaking ball."
"He might have had an off-night against us, but at the same
time his stuff was nowhere near as good as it has been the last two
times I've seen him."
Russ Johnson, who went 3-for-4, homered in the sixth for Tampa
Bay's run. He had half of the Devil Rays' hits.
"When you get a good game pitched against you, you're going to
tend to look flat," Tampa Bay manager Larry Rothschild said. "I
don't think we came out flat, I just think he threw a good
ballgame. He kept us off-balance all night, especially with the
off-speed pitch."
In two previous starts against Tampa Bay -- coming in 1998 while
with the Chicago White Sox -- Bere gave up nine earned runs over 9
2/3 innings.
Bob Wickman, acquired from the Brewers with Bere, got the final three outs for the Indians.
"I think they got us to fill some needs, but it's up to us to
go out when we get the opportunity to do what we're capable of
doing," Bere said.
Sandy Alomar hit his fifth home run of the season, a solo shot
in the ninth.
"He had a pretty awesome changeup with some sinking action,"
Alomar said of Bere's performance. "He was down in the zone most
of the night and he was painting the outside corner with his
fastball."
Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel left after batting in the seventh
inning because of flu-like symptoms.
"Vizquel got a little dizzy," Manuel said. "I had to take him
out of the game. He should be OK. He just felt sick."
Albie Lopez (8-8) went seven innings and gave up four runs and
eight hits. He struck out seven, with six coming in the first three
innings.
"They got guys on base and got some key hits," said Lopez, who
had some mild calf cramps during his final inning.
Lopez has worked at least seven innings in five consecutive
starts and lowered his ERA to 3.83.
The Indians took a 2-0 lead in the second on Travis Fryman's
run-scoring single and Kenny Lofton's RBI grounder.
Cleveland made it 4-0 in the fourth. Alomar had an RBI infield
single with the bases-loaded and another run scored when Lofton hit
into a double play.
Game notes
Before the game, Manuel said he has no immediate plans to
drop Lofton from the leadoff spot. Lofton went 0-for-5 and has just
two hits in his past 33 at-bats.... Cleveland RF Manny Ramirez,
limited to DH duties since returning from a left hamstring injury
on July 13, took flyballs in the outfield. "He's getting real
close," Manuel said. ... Ramirez doubled in the fifth for his
451st extra base hit and moved past Larry Doby into ninth place on
the Indians career list. ... Tampa Bay RHP Travis Harper will make
his major debut Friday against the Baltimore Orioles. ... After
going 27 straight games without an error, Tampa Bay SS Felix
Martinez has made an error in two consecutive games.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Cleveland Clubhouse
Tampa Bay Clubhouse
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