Bauer, Kipnis lead Indians to 6-1 win over Rays

CLEVELAND (AP) 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.''

The Rays have matched a season-worst eight games under .500 (31-39). The best news for manager Kevin Cash is his team is off Thursday and has a chance to regroup.

''I'm looking forward to it,'' he said. ''I don't know what the players are saying, but I certainly am looking forward to it and if that helps us reset, that's OK.''

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.

Santana had an RBI double in the fourth and a run-scoring single in the seventh.

Archer, who allowed four runs in six innings, has lost six of his last seven starts.

TITLE TOWN

The Indians saluted the Cavaliers with highlights on the Progressive Field scoreboard. Confetti from the parade floated into the ballpark before the game, causing the grounds crew to clear it from the field. Players from the Indians and Rays were allowed to report to the ballpark later than they usually do because downtown was jammed with cars and pedestrians into the late afternoon.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rays: Cash said INF Steve Pearce (strained right hamstring) could be out longer than two weeks. Pearce was injured Monday and placed on the 15-day DL.

Indians: Brantley will be shut down for a few days after receiving a cortisone shot Tuesday. Brantley had surgery on his right shoulder in November and is also dealing with right biceps tendinitis.

UP NEXT

Rays: Following a day off Tampa Bay begins a three-game series in Baltimore on Friday. LHP Matt Moore (3-4), who has allowed nine homers in his last seven starts, goes in the opener.

Indians: After a day off Cleveland starts a three-game series in Detroit on Friday. RHP Danny Salazar (8-3) takes his 2.23 ERA, the second-lowest in the AL, into his 14th start of the season.