CLEVELAND — Asdrubal Cabrera hit one of three solo home runs for Tampa Bay in his return to Cleveland, leading the Rays to a 4-1 victory over the Indians on Friday night.
Cabrera, who played for the Indians from 2007 until being traded to Washington last July, broke a 1-all tie with a two-out homer in the second.
Joey Butler homered in the first inning and Steven Souza Jr. added a home run in the ninth for Tampa Bay, which has won seven of eight.
Rookie right-hander Nathan Karns (4-3) allowed one run in 5 1-3 innings for his first win since May 13.
Four relievers followed with Brad Boxberger pitching the ninth for his 17th save.
Boxberger walked two, but struck out Michael Bourn to end the game.
The Rays lead the AL East by one game over the New York Yankees.
Carlos Carrasco (8-6) gave up three runs in 6 2-3 innings. Cleveland fell to 13-20 at home and hasn’t won consecutive games since a three-game winning streak May 30-June 2.
Jason Kipnis was 3 for 4, extending his hitting streak to 14 games. He has hit safely in 23 consecutive home games.
Rays rookie manager Kevin Cash was Cleveland’s bullpen coach on manager Terry Francona’s staff the last two seasons. Cash was a catcher for Boston when Francona managed the Red Sox.
Butler’s one-out homer gave Tampa Bay the lead. Karns’ wild pitch with Carlos Santana batting scored Kipnis from third base and tied the game in the bottom of the inning.
Cabrera, who signed with the Rays in January, came into the game batting .204. The homer was his fourth of the season.
Jake Elmore added a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Kipnis started the eighth with a single off Jake McGee, but was doubled up when Souza made a sliding catch of Francisco Lindor’s fly ball near the right field line and threw to first.
Trainer’s room
Rays: OF/DH John Jaso (bruised left wrist) took batting practice for the first time since being injured on opening day.
Indians: C Yan Gomes (stiff neck) was out of the lineup, but is expected to play in the next day or two.
Up next
Rays: RHP Erasmo Ramirez has won six of seven decisions since April 19. He recorded his career-high sixth in his last start against Washington.
Indians: Corey Kluber, who has lost his last three starts, will go against the Rays.
