Rays' Moore on return from Tommy John: 'It felt normal'

Matt Moore was cruising in his season debut, until the fourth inning.

The Tampa Bay Rays southpaw, making his first start in 14 months since Tommy John surgery, took a no-hitter into the fourth inning Thursday versus the Cleveland Indians before things took a turn for the worse.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

The Indians got on the board courtesy of a Michael Brantley sacrifice fly after a pair of singles to set the stage in the fourth, and then plated three more times in the fifth to chase Moore from the contest after 4 2/3 innings.

"I kind of thought there might have been a little more nervous, body control-type issues, but really, it felt normal," Moore told reporters.

Here's a look at Moore's line:

"At the end of the day I wanted to be able to look at myself and say that I went out there and competed and didn't leave anything on the table," Moore said, "and I believe that's what [catcher Rene Rivera] and I did for our first time even throwing to each other.”

Moore had a difficult opening assignment opposite reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, who was touched up for four runs over eight innings of work, but amassed 14 strikeouts.