Update | Tampa Bay Rays win wild-card play-off over wasteful Cleveland Indians
Tampa Bay's success in the wild-card play-off game was as much a case of Cleveland not being able to make the most of their opportunities
The Tampa Bay Rays continued to thrive on the road with a clinical 4-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians in their one-game, wild-card play-off to advance to the American League division series.
The Rays, who played their final eight games away from home and faced three successive must-win games in Toronto, Texas and against the Indians at Progressive Field, will be on the road again today, starting a best-of-five series against the top-seeded Boston Red Sox.
"Three games in three difficult venues … all in enemy territory," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "I'm proud of my guys."
Tampa Bay starting pitcher Alex Cobb, 11-3 during the season, masterfully mixed a big curveball with his fastball and was supported by a home run from designated hitter Delmon Young and a two-run double by centre-fielder Desmond Jennings. He combined with three relievers on the shutout.
Cobb, 25, pitched into the seventh, giving up eight hits and wriggling out of jams to spoil the party for Cleveland, who had finished the season with 10 straight wins to claim a wild-card spot after losing 94 games last year.
He was not at his best, but battled through, taking another inspiring step after missing two months due to a concussion after being hit in the head by a vicious line drive back at him in June.