Indians hit 3 homers in 6-4 loss to Orioles

CLEVELAND (AP) The Cleveland Indians belted three homers on Sunday, and then had a chance to win their weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles.

They just couldn't come up with a big hit late in the game.

Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana and Mike Napoli homered for Cleveland, but Baltimore's bullpen escaped a couple of jams to help the Orioles hold on for a 6-4 victory.

''We had real good opportunities, but couldn't come through there in the eighth or ninth,'' Indians manager Terry Francona said.

Cleveland loaded the bases with one out in the eighth, but Darren O'Day struck out pinch-hitter Lonnie Chisenhall and Yan Gomes.

The Indians had runners on first and third with one out in the ninth, but Zach Britton struck out Kipnis and Francisco Lindor to end the game.

''O'Day is real good with the bases loaded, but Lonnie had a good at-bat,'' Francona said. ''When he finally threw him a breaking ball, that froze him. And Frankie just got a little overanxious.''

Cleveland dropped into second in the AL Central, a half-game back of Kansas City. Indians rookie Mike Clevinger struggled in his third major league start, allowing four runs in four innings.

Hyun Soo Kim's first major league homer off Jeff Manship (0-1) gave Baltimore a 5-4 lead in the seventh. Nolan Reimold added a solo homer in the ninth off Tommy Hunter.

Marlon Byrd and Rajai Davis started the Cleveland ninth with singles. Third baseman Ryan Flaherty fielded Santana's ground ball and threw to second for a force play. Santana was ruled out at first on Jonathan Schoop's throw, but the call was overturned after a replay review.

Kipnis and Lindor failed to deliver against Britton, who recorded his 14th save.

Kipnis started the eighth with a single off Brad Brach and took third on Lindor's double off the wall in right field.

O'Day retired Napoli on a groundout and walked Jose Ramirez intentionally before escaping the threat.

''We were walking through land mines there,'' Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. ''We knew they were going to make a run because they're too good of an offensive team.''

Chris Tillman (7-1) allowed three homers and four runs in six innings, but improved to 6-0 in his last seven starts.

Mark Trumbo hit a three-run double in the first for Baltimore, which had lost five of six.

''In the third and fourth innings, it kind of felt like I was pitching, not throwing,'' Clevinger said. ''Mentally, it finally clicked for me. Definitely, I have to be better, but I'm a quick learner.''

HE LIKES THE KID

Showalter had plenty of praise for Lindor, who is in his first full season in the majors.

''Cleveland's going to have a lot of fun watching him play over the next extended period of time,'' Showalter said. ''You can tell he's really into the competition. He's impressive.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Orioles: SS J.J. Hardy (fractured left foot) had his walking boot removed and will have a CT scan this week. He has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 3.

Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco (strained left hamstring) pitched four innings on a rehab assignment at Double-A Akron on Saturday and could rejoin the rotation this week.

UP NEXT

Orioles: RHP Tyler Wilson will start the opener of a four-game series at home against Boston. He has lost his last two starts, allowing eight earned runs in 12 innings.

Indians: RHP Josh Tomlin (7-0) starts the opener of a three-game series against Texas at Progressive Field. He held the White Sox to two runs in eight innings on Wednesday. Tomlin hasn't lost since Sept. 15.