Aviles homers, drives in winner for Indians

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

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.

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 12/3 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.