The Cleveland Guardians generated no offense last night in a 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, but they had a chance until the end.

Cleveland could have been inspired by a couple of big plays, but it wasn’t enough for the offense to catch fire.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Xzavion Curry took the mound for Cleveland with one out and the bases loaded.

Curry struck out Josh Lowe and Jose Siri. Apple TV announcer Ryan Spilborghs predicted that this would inspire the Guardians to score in the top of the eighth.

It didn’t happen, as Rays reliever Colin Poche set down the Guardians in order.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Rays threatened to put the game away, but Cleveland right fielder Jhonkensy Noel made a diving catch to end the inning.

Would Cleveland finally mount a comeback? Sadly, no. Jason Adam struck out the side to record his fourth save.

CRISP COOKIE

Cleveland hitters struck out 12 times, including eight against starter Taj Bradley (4-4). It was a shame for the Guardians to waste one of Carlos Carrasco’s better performances.

In five innings, Carrasco only surrendered one earned run. However, he still lost to drop his record to 3-7 with a 5.02 ERA.

Tampa Bay scored when Brandon Lowe grounded into a double play in the third (“No RBI for you!”) and on an RBI double in the fifth by Yandy Diaz.

Remember him? Diaz played for the Cleveland Indians in 2017-18.

The Guardians have lost three in a row, and the third-place Kansas City Royals have won four straight.

So Cleveland now leads the Minnesota Twins by 4.5 games and the Royals by six games.

The series will continue today at 4:10 p.m. Gavin Williams (0-1) will start for Cleveland against the Rays’ Zack Littell (3-6).