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TB@CLE: Cobb picks up his fourth win of the season

In Zach McAllister's last start, he and the Indians let one slip away against the Rays. Cleveland dominated early, but it couldn't bury the pesky Rays when it had the chance.

McAllister and the Tribe will have a chance to redeem themselves when they open a four-game series at Tampa Bay on Monday night. The two teams split a four-game set in Cleveland just before last week's All-Star break.

The right-handed McAllister, who was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on June 28 to replace Jeanmar Gomez in the rotation, took a no-hitter into the fifth inning when he faced the Rays in the meeting on July 8. The Indians led 5-0 into the sixth, but McAllister allowed four unearned runs in the sixth after a couple defensive miscues seemed to rattle him.

The Indians eventually lost the game when closer Chris Perez blew a save in the ninth inning.

"It's part of the game," McAllister said afterward. "As a pitcher, you want to pick up your guys, get outs, and not let the runs score. I was not able to do that today."

McAllister, who is 3-1 with a 3.40 ERA on the season, has been solid in his return to the big leagues, but he has struggled to minimize damage after the defense makes mistakes behind him. He also allowed a five-run inning after an error by third baseman Jack Hannahan in his previous outing against the Angels.

The Rays will counter with right-hander Alex Cobb, who beat the Indians in his last start. Cobb allowed three runs on six hits over six innings, while striking out four and walking two. It was only Cobb's second win in his last seven starts, dating back to May 25. He's 4-5 with a 4.89 ERA on the season.

"It's nice to know my stuff will work against them," Cobb said.

With such a short time since his last start against the Indians, though, Cobb knows Cleveland may take a different approach against him this time around.

"They're gonna make adjustments, and you've gotta adjust back to that," he said. "Every outing, it depends on you. It depends on if your stuff is working, if you can execute your pitches. If you can do that most of the game, you should be fine."

Indians: Perez begins rehab assignment
• Reports were positive after left-handed reliever Rafael Perez's first rehab appearance for Double-A Akron on Saturday. Perez started the game and threw an eight-pitch scoreless inning without any issues. He also threw an 11-pitch bullpen session after his outing.

Perez is scheduled to make another appearance for Akron on Monday. Manager Manny Acta said Perez will have to make at least five Minor League appearances -- and throw on consecutive days -- before he can return to Cleveland.

Perez has not pitched for the Tribe since April 25 after injuring his left lat.

• Center fielder Michael Brantley stayed hot on Sunday, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and a walk in Cleveland's 3-0 loss to the Blue Jays. Brantley is 11-for-15 (.733) with four doubles, a home run and two RBIs in his last four games. He's raised his batting average from from .275 to .302 since June 27.

Rays: Kotchman, Damon return to Tropicana Field
• Indians first baseman Casey Kotchman and left fielder Johnny Damon helped the Rays make it to the playoffs last season. They will make their first visit back to Tropicana Field on Monday.

Both Kotchman and Damon would have liked to have stayed at Tampa Bay, but the Rays elected to replace them with free agents Carlos Pena and Luke Scott, respectively. Kotchman and Damon nearly made the Rays pay for that decision when they combined for five hits and three RBIs in the teams' last meeting in Cleveland.

Even though Kotchman and Damon will be wearing the opposition colors this week, Rays manager Joe Maddon is excited for the return of his former players.

"I didn't get a chance to visit them there," Maddon said. "The schedule did not allow me to get out early enough, the weather and everything else. I'm looking forward to having a conversation with them."

• Left fielder Desmond Jennings went 1-for-4 with two RBIs in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Red Sox. Jennings has four RBIs in his last four games after going his previous eight games without one.

Worth noting
• Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner is hitting .308 with 12 home runs and 30 RBIs in 47 career games against the Rays.

• Scott is hitting .344 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs in 26 career games against the Indians. He broke out of an 0-for-41 slump in Tampa Bay's last series against Cleveland.

• McAllister has 19 strikeouts in his last three starts. He struck out eight in his last outing against the Rays.

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