Five Tampa Bay pitchers combined to score seven runs, and the Rays defeated the Indians 4-0 Wednesday in a doubleheader sweep.

Collin McHugh (2 perfect innings), Josh Fleming (7-4, after allowing one run in 2 2/3 innings), Diego Castillo (1 out), Matt Wisler (1 inning), and Pete Fairbanks (1 inning) all combined for the hitless performance during a game that was reduced to 7 innings due to pandemic rules.

The official no-hitter list will not include the game. In 1991, the eight-man MLB committee on statistical accuracy determined that a no-hitter is a game that has nine innings or more and ends with no hits.

Madison Bumgarner, Arizona pitched seven innings against Atlanta in game two of a doubleheader that took place on April 25th. This was another game that did not count officially.

This season saw seven no-hitters, just one shy of the 1884 record, which was the first year that overhand pitching was permitted.

After third baseman Wander Franco and shortstop Taylor Walls collided in the third, Cleveland only had three baserunners. The original score was an infield single. However, Franco ran into Walls one inning later and the call was changed to an error.

Walls was able to start a clever double play at the end of the third, when he slid in to field Ernie Clement’s grounder. Franco made two nice defensive plays on fourth-inning grounders.

Walls scored two RBI singles against Sam Hentges (1-4) in Game 2, putting the Rays up by 2-0. Yandy Diaz increased the lead to 4-0 with a fifth-inning double against Nick Sandlin.

Hentges allowed five runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Kevin Kiermaier hit a home run and drove in five runs for a career high, VidalBrujan scored an RBI single in his major-league debut, and the Rays won the opener 8-1.

Franmil Reyes scored a home run for the Indians who have lost nine consecutive games. In Monday’s 9-8 loss against the Rays, he homered and set a career record with five RBIs.

This is the longest losing streak in Terry Francona’s management tenure with Cleveland. From Sept. 8-16, 2020 to June 2-10, 2013, the Indians lost eight consecutive games.

Kiermaier scored a two-run run in the opener and then connected with a three-run hit off J.C. Mejia (1-4).

Kiermaier went 2 for 3, raising his average to.239, and said that he feels more secure. “Anything you can do to win the team and create momentum for the boys, that’s all it is about.

Kiermaier’s second homer gave Tampa Bay a 6-1 advantage in the third, and ended Mejia’s day. Solo drives were added by Brandon Lowe, Brett Phillips and the Rays.

Michael Wacha (2-2), allowed one run, four runs and struck out six over six innings. Ryan Sherriff pitched the seventh, completing a four-hitter.

Mejia allowed six runs, four hits, and two walks over 2 1/3 innings.

Brujan’s Game 1 inning was a great one. The 23-year old took away Amed Rosario’s hit in the top half of the game by diving to his left with a hard-hit grounder. Brujan scored an RBI single later in the inning, stole second, and scored on Kiermaier’s double to make it 3-0.

The doubleheader featured a makeup of the game that was postponed Tuesday night by Hurricane Elsa.

TRAINER’S ROHROOM

Indians: OF Eddie Rosario was placed on the 10-day injured-list with right abdominal strain.

Rays: OF Manuel Margot (left hamstring strain), was placed on the 10-day IL. He is expected to be back in two to three weeks.

UP NEXT

Indians: RHP Zach Plesac (4-3), who has been out since May 26, with a broken thumb, will be back to begin Thursday’s game against Kansas City.

Indians: Rc (4-3), who has been out since May 26, with a broken thumb, will be back to begin Thursday night’s match against Kansas City.