Indians sweep away Rays

Rookie David Huff and four relievers combined to stifle the Rays, and Victor Martinez drove in both runs for the Indians in a 2-1 victory yesterday, completing a four-game sweep of the defending American League champions.

The Rays have lost five in a row overall and 17 straight in Cleveland, the longest road losing streak against one team in club history. It was the first four-game sweep for the Indians since they did it to the Rays July 10-13.

"Maybe next time we come in, we'll have some candles and holy water," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I have no good explanation for this."

The Rays' run came on Willy Aybar's homer in the sixth, which was upheld after a video replay.

Aybar's homer on a 1-0 pitch to right field was just out of the reach of a leaping Shin-Soo Choo. Replays showed the ball hit the yellow line atop the wall before caroming back into the field of play. First base umpire Angel Hernandez immediately ruled it a home run, prompting Indians manager Eric Wedge to argue. After a 90-second video review, Tim Welke confirmed the call.

It was a difficult trip for the Rays, who went 2-5 against the Florida Marlins and Cleveland, placing their shortstop, second baseman, closer, and staff ace on the disabled list in the span of a week. Now they return home to open a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins, having dropped six games behind the Red Sox in the AL East.

"It was a strange series, all in all," Maddon said. "We need to get our mojo back."

Herges (1-0) struck out Evan Longoria to end the seventh inning with B.J. Upton on second to preserve the lead.

Orioles 5, Tigers 1 - Luke Scott homered twice and had four RBIs, David Hernandez pitched into the sixth inning to win his major league debut, and host Baltimore beat Detroit for its season-high fourth straight victory.

Nolan Reimold also homered for the Orioles. The rookie has connected in three straight games and has five in 14 games since he was recalled May 14.

Scott hit a solo shot in the second inning and a three-run drive in the eighth off Ryan Perry. It was his sixth career two-homer game, and gave him three long balls in two starts since returning from the disabled list Wednesday.

Hernandez (1-0) allowed one run, five hits, and four walks in 5 2/3 innings.

Diamondbacks 5, Braves 2 - Dan Haren outpitched Derek Lowe and Arizona took advantage of second baseman Kelly Johnson's error to score four times in the fourth inning on the way to victory in Phoenix.

Haren (4-4) retired 15 in a row before a two-out double by Johnson and RBI single by Casey Kotchman in the eighth inning. He allowed two runs and seven hits in eight innings, striking out eight for his first victory in four starts.

Dodgers 2, Cubs 1 - Randy Wolf pitched impressively into the eighth inning and Ramon Troncoso wriggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth as Los Angeles beat host Chicago for its fourth straight win.