Gonzalez homer lifts Tribe

Cleveland survives sluggish start from ace Trevor Bauer

Associated Press

MIAMI

Because of the unusual way the game started, Carlos Gonzalez figured the Cleveland Indians might need a lot of runs.

“I’ve never seen Trevor Bauer struggle before,” Gonzalez said with a chuckle.

Bauer fell behind early, but Gonzalez put the Indians ahead to stay with a tiebreaking three-run homer, only his second extra-base hit of the season, and they beat the Miami Marlins 7-4 on Tuesday night.

Bauer (4-1) overcame his slow start to pitch seven innings. He struck out 10 but allowed four runs and wasn’t happy afterward.

“I stink right now,” the right-hander said. “It has been really frustrating, but I’ll figure it out. I’ve got to be better.”

Bauer walked four and was annoyed he has allowed 23 bases on balls in 472/3 innings.

But his ERA is 2.45, and he made his 60th consecutive start without allowing more than four runs.

Only Greg Maddux has had a longer such streak since 1970.

“Today he didn’t have his best stuff, but he’s a competitor,” Gonzalez said. “Being able to help after a rough start was awesome.”

Gonzalez’s homer off Sandy Alcantara (1-3) broke a 3-3 tie in the third.

The three-time All-Star, who signed in mid-March and was called up from the minors on April 14, had been 2-for-14 with runners on base.

“This whole thing has been new for me — not having spring training,” Gonzalez said. “It takes a little time. Right now I’m feeling a lot better.”

The Indians need him. They came into the game last in the AL in batting and slugging.

Carlos Santana hit his second homer in as many games and his third of the year for Cleveland, and also had an RBI single.

Former Marlin Brad Hand completed a five-hitter by pitching a perfect ninth for his ninth save in as many chances.

Curtis Granderson hit his fourth homer for the Marlins, who lost their fourth game in a row and have the worst record in the majors.

Alcantara allowed six runs, four earned, in 51/3 innings.

“I always see it as a lack of aggression — a lack of confidence in his fastball,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.

“I feel you don’t see his best stuff as often as we could. When you have 97-98 in the tank, you’d like to see it more.”