Carrasco's rebound hitting rough patch

CLEVELAND -- Carlos Carrasco had labored through his first three starts of the year, but the right-hander figured out that the issue was his tempo on the mound. Once he started to pick up the pace, he cruised through his next six starts, posting a 1.93 ERA. But he hasn't found the same success in his past two outings.

After Saturday's start time was pushed back two hours and 48 minutes due to inclement weather, Carrasco allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits, including three home runs, through 6 1/3 innings in the Indians’ 6-2 loss to the Rays at Progressive Field. The Indians have now dropped to nine games behind the first-place Twins in the American League Central.

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“One [homer] was a changeup, middle of the plate, I think that was to [Brandon] Lowe,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “The other ones were fastballs that were either middle or mislocated. I mean, they’re looking for fastballs out over the plate, and they take some pretty healthy swings at them, and that’s what happened today.”

After the righty had already given up two long balls on the night, the Indians left Carrasco on the mound as the top of the Rays’ order came around for the fourth time. Carrasco then gave up a two-run blast to Tommy Pham that brought his night to a close.

Entering the game, opponents had a 1.073 OPS the third and fourth time through the batting order against Carrasco, the fourth-highest mark in baseball this season.

“The last homer was a fastball that was supposed to go inside,” Carrasco said. “It went right in the middle. The other one was a changeup, kind of up a little bit, middle, too. I feel a little bit disappointed to not locate those pitches right there.”

Carrasco struggling with the long ball
Over his past two starts, Carrasco has allowed eight earned runs through 11 1/3 frames (6.35 ERA) with five homers. In his past 31 innings, the 32-year-old has struck out 31 batters with only three walks, but he has given up nine home runs.

“There's a lot of homers right now,” Carrasco said. “I'm pretty sure I'd rather do walks and ground-ball double plays instead of homers. But you know what, just move on. Tomorrow is a new day, so let's get it working tomorrow for the next start.”

Hitters have been taking advantage of Carrasco’s four- and two-seam fastballs over his past three starts, hitting a combined .344 (11-for-32) against those pitches in that span.

“They've been doing that for the last three games,” Carrasco said. “Just see the fastball, hit it. That's what they're looking for.”

Tito ejected for first time since 2016
In the sixth inning, Jose Ramirez squared up to bunt, but the pitch hit off his back knee. As he tried to dodge the ball, his hands -- and bat -- flung forward, and it was ruled that he made an attempt at the pitch. Francona came out of the dugout to argue and was ejected for the 43rd time in his career, but the first since Sept. 4, 2016.

“I thought it was a poor call, and I told him I thought he had an even poorer night the night before,” Francona said. “I want to make sure that Josey knows, ya know, Josey’s grinding right now. That won’t happen very often because I don’t like it, but I didn’t think that was a very good call. Sometimes their attitude has just as much to do with ejections.”

Smith makes debut
At 29 years and 226 days old, Josh Smith made his Major League debut, relieving Carrasco in the seventh inning. He gave up a single to Ji-Man Choi but quickly got a flyout and strikeout to end the frame.

“I thought he looked good,” said Francona, who watched Smith’s performance from the clubhouse after his ejection. “I thought he had poise and kinda looked like what we expected. I thought he did good.”

Smith allowed three hits and struck out three batters through 1 2/3 innings, which marked the longest relief outing by a Cleveland player in his MLB debut since Adam Plutko (1 2/3) on Sept. 24, 2016. His three strikeouts were the most by an Indians reliever in his debut since Shawn Morimando (four) on July 2, 2016.

“I felt like I pitched good,” Smith said. “I mean, I went out there with the expectations to execute pitches. I thought I did that. I think at times I didn’t throw what I wanted to throw, but eventually once I got to go in after the inning and talk things over, I definitely threw what I wanted to throw.”