Bauer’s 3-hitter lifts Tribe to 6th straight

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Trevor Bauer doesn’t think going the distance should be rare for a starting pitcher.

Cleveland’s right-hander threw a three-hitter for his second career complete game and the Indians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight win.

“I feel like every time I go out there that’s what I should be doing,” Bauer said. “I should be throwing nine so when I’m actually able to accomplish that, it’s a good night.”

Bauer (5-2) struck out 10, walked one and allowed only one runner past second base. It was the second straight three-hitter for the Indians, following Corey Kluber’s in a 6-0 win over the Rays on Tuesday.

Jason Kipnis’ homer highlighted a three-run first inning off Chris Archer (4-10). Carlos Santana drove in two runs while Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor also had RBIs.

Cleveland leads the AL Central and has won 11 straight at Progressive Field. The Indians are also 11 games over .500 (41-30).

“Guys are having fun,” Bauer said. “Guys are playing well, which contributes to the fun. Hopefully we can keep it going.”

Corey Dickerson drove in the only run for Tampa Bay, which has lost seven straight.

The win capped a big day for Cleveland, which hosted a parade for the Cavaliers winning the NBA title. Hundreds of thousands of fans jammed downtown for the festivities to celebrate Cleveland’s first championship in any major sport since 1964.

One fan took the celebration too seriously in the seventh when he ran on the field from the third base stands and headed toward center field. He scaled the 9-foot high wall, raced up the steps and disappeared into the crowd before being grabbed by security.

The Indians completed a 6-0 homestand, which included three-game sweeps of the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay, but manager Terry Francona isn’t putting a lot of stock in the hot stretch.

“Part of that streak was three weeks ago,” he said. “If we play good we give ourselves a chance. If we don’t we give the other team a better chance.”

Bauer took a one-hitter into the seventh. Brad Miller walked to lead off and took third on Logan Morrison’s double. Miller scored on Dickerson’s ground ball to deep short, but Morrison rounded too far past third and was thrown out by Lindor.