Indians edge Rockies 7-6 on Aviles RBI single
5/31/2014CLEVELAND — Mike Aviles hit a three-run homer in the second and added the go-ahead single in the eighth inning to help the Cleveland Indians beat the Colorado Rockies 7-6 on Saturday.
Pinch-hitter Jason Kipnis started the rally with a leadoff walk off Rex Brothers (2-3). After Lonnie Chisenhall's sacrifice, Aviles lined a hit to right field and Kipnis slid home ahead of Charlie Blackmon's throw. Chisenhall had a two-run homer in the sixth.
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The Indians handed their bullpen a 6-2 lead through six innings, but Corey Dickerson's solo homer and Blackmon's three-run shot tied it in the seventh.
Bryan Shaw (2-1) pitched 1 2-3 scoreless innings. Cody Allen worked the ninth for his third save as the Rockies fell to 2-6 on their nine-game trip.
Trevor Bauer allowed two runs and matched a career-high with eight strikeouts in six innings, but Cleveland's bullpen imploded in the seventh. Scott Athchison retired the first hitter, but Dickerson homered to right. Following singles by Wilin Rosario and DJ LeMahieu, Josh Outman relieved, but Blackmon homered on the left-hander's first and only pitch to tie the game.
Aviles' three-run homer in the second and a two-run blast by Chisenhall helped Cleveland build its lead.
Bauer making his fourth start of the season, allowed two runs in the third, but struck out Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki with runners on second and third to end the inning. The right-hander retired 11 of the final 12 hitters he faced.
Bauer retired the first seven hitters before running into problems in the third. Rosario drew a one-out walk and LeMahieu doubled to right. Rosario stopped at third, but scored when David Murphy's throw to second hit LeMahieu and rolled into left field, allowing Rosario to score on the error.
LeMahieu went to third and scored on Blackmon's single. Michael Cuddyer singled and a double steal put runners at second and third, but Bauer struck out Gonzalez and Tulowitzki. Gonzalez struck out in all four at-bats.
Aviles' homer capped a four-run second. Singles by Yan Gomes and David Murphy put runners on first and third with none out in the second. Chisenhall's one-out single gave Cleveland the lead before Aviles hit a 1-0 pitch on to the home run porch in left.
Morales held the Indians scoreless until the sixth. Jesus Aguilar walked with out before Chisenhall homered to right to right on a 2-2 pitch.
NOTES: Cuddyer made his first start at third base since 2010. He appeared in 171 games at third base over six years with Minnesota. ... Kipnis, who has played two games since missing a month with an oblique injury, didn't start. ... Outman, who pitched for Colorado the last two seasons, was acquired in a trade for outfielder Drew Stubbs. Stubbs batted sixth and played center field Saturday. ... Indians 1B Nick Swisher (sore left knee) is doing rehab work in a pool. .... Indians RHP Josh Tomlin (3-2) takes on Rockies RHP Jhoulys Chacin (0-4) in the three-game series finale Sunday.