Hafner’s home run leads Indians past Colorado

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Chris Perez wanted the heart of Colorado’s order. He needed it, really.

One night after giving up a game-winning homer in the ninth, Cleveland’s cold-blooded closer hoped to face the Rockies’ top hitters with the game on the line again.

He got his wish. And this time, he came out on top.

“That’s the kind of guy I am,” he said.

Perez retired Ty Wigginton, who homered twice, on a routine fly to center for the final out as the Indians avoided a series sweep by beating Colorado 4-3 to conclude a successful homestand Wednesday night before leaving on a nine-game trip to three NL cities.

Josh Tomlin came through with another quality outing and designated hitter Travis Hafner hit a two-run homer in his last start for a while to lead the Indians, who squeaked out the finale after losing a pair of one-run games.

Tomlin (9-4), who has been a model of consistency, allowed three runs and five hits in 61/3 innings. The right-hander has gone at least six innings in 14 of 15 starts, and a minimum of five in all 27 as a major leaguer. Tomlin had little trouble with the Rockies except for Wiggington, who hit a solo homer in the fifth and a two-run shot in the seventh to pull Colorado within 4-3.

That’s when Indians manager Manny Acta turned to his relief corps, who have dubbed themselves “The Bullpen Mafia,” a crew led by Perez.

Vinnie Pestano and Tony Sipp got the Indians to the ninth for Perez, who took the loss on Tuesday night, when he gave up a tie-breaking homer in the ninth to Seth Smith. This time, Perez struck out Jason Giambi and Troy Tulowitzki — Colorado’s Nos. 3 and 4 hitters — before Smith, who hardly missed a pitch in the series, lined a two-out double off the wall in right.

“I knew he hit it pretty good just by the sound of it,” Perez said. “Luckily, it hit the wall.”

Perez, though, regrouped to get Wigginton for his 18th save, ending a game the Indians wanted badly.

“A loss would have been devastating,” said Sipp. “4-2 sounds a lot better than 3-3 on this homestand.”

Perez didn’t mind giving up the double to Smith, who batted .462 with two doubles, two homers, three RBIs and multiple line drives in the series. The right-hander didn’t want to give up another win for the Indians, who are again playing solid ball after a rough start to June.

“Game on the line again with the same guy up,” Perez said. “That’s why we play. He’s gotten the best of me two nights, but we still got the ‘W.’ That’s important, and luckily he’s in the NL and we won’t have to face him again — unless it’s in the World Series.”

Hafner, sorely missed by the Indians when he was on the disabled list, homered in the sixth off Jason Hammel (4-7). Unfortunately, the Indians will only be able to use him as a pinch-hitter during their upcoming trip to San Francisco, Arizona and Cincinnati. His laser-shot into the stands put Cleveland up 4-1.

“That was very impressive,” Acta said. “He’s at his peak right now. He’s so locked in at the plate. It’s just sad we are not going to be able to see him out there for nine days. Very sad.”

Hafner recently returned after missing one month with a strained side muscle and his presence in Cleveland’s lineup can’t be underestimated. With him anchoring the middle of the order, opposing pitchers have to be more careful and all the Indians see better pitches.