CLEVELAND (AP) — It took the Indians several hours to dig out of a three-run hole. Zach McAllister only needed three batters to create another one.
The Baltimore Orioles scored three runs in the seventh inning off the right-hander, including a two-run homer by Mark Trumbo, in pulling away for a 6-4 victory over Cleveland on Friday night.
McAllister (2-2) had been nearly perfect at Progressive Field this year, winning a pair of decisions in relief with a 1.13 ERA, before giving up back-to-back doubles to Manny Machado and Chris Davis, followed by Trumbo’s drive.
“We fought back to get it tied at 3-3, and Zach came in and left balls middle-out on the plate,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “You can’t let those big guys get extended like that. They’ve got a dangerous lineup and they’ll make you pay most of the time.”
Cleveland, which had its three-game winning streak snapped, trailed 3-0 after the first inning. The Indians remained a half-game behind the White Sox for first place in the American League Central.
Juan Uribe had an RBI double in the second, Mike Napoli hit a solo homer in the fifth, and Francisco Lindor delivered a game-tying sacrifice fly in the fifth off Orioles starter Mike Wright.
McAllister replaced Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer to open the seventh, promptly turning a tie game into a 6-3 deficit.
“I just didn’t make good pitches. They were elevated and they were costly,” McAllister said. “Baltimore has good hitters from top to bottom and they can score runs. My fastballs cost me today and they did it against me.”
Left fielder Jose Ramirez had a career-high four hits for Cleveland, which began a 10-game homestand. Lindor hit his fourth homer of the season in the eighth off Darren O’Day, but closer Zach Britton worked a clean ninth for his 13th save.
“Four hits is a good game, but I would have preferred that the team win,” said Ramirez, who doubled twice and scored once. “A win is better than four hits.”
The Indians had a golden opportunity for another comeback in the eighth, loading the bases against O’Day with one out. Backup catcher Chris Gimenez hit the ball sharply at second baseman Jonathan Schoop, who turned an inning-ending double play.
“Unfortunately, the ball didn’t bounce our way today, it bounced theirs,” said Bauer, who struck out four and walked two. “It sucks the way I started the game. I wish I could’ve stayed out there a little longer for my team, but what can you do?”
Baltimore right-hander Dylan Bundy (1-1) earned his first big league win by tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
“It’s taken four years, I guess, to get to that point, but it’s still exciting,” he said. “I didn’t even know I had gotten the win until the guys told me in the clubhouse.”
TAKING IT SLOW
Indians OF Michael Brantley (right shoulder inflammation) is taking dry swings and could hit off a batting tee soon. No timetable has been set for the former AL All-Star to return. He is on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Orioles: SS J.J. Hardy (left foot fracture) could shift his rehabilitation from Sarasota, Florida to Baltimore next week. He has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 3 and is no longer in a walking boot.
Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco (left hamstring strain) is scheduled to throw four innings and approximately 60 pitches on a rehab start Saturday at Double-A Akron. He was injured on April 24 at Detroit.
UP NEXT
Orioles: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez has allowed 12 earned runs over 10 innings in losing his last two starts.
Indians: RHP Danny Salazar is coming off his shortest outing of the season, a 5-2 loss Sunday at Boston.
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