Bourn’s HR in ninth caps sweep
CLEVELAND — Michael Bourn isn’t one for a methodical jog.
He scampered around the bases yesterday, though any pace would have sufficed. Bourn socked a game-ending home run into the right-field seats at Progressive Field to propel the Indians to a 6-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies and a three-game sweep.
“They said I was flying around the bases,” Bourn said.
Just when the club reaches its perceived low point, when the season’s sky begins to fade to an
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ominous, dark hue, the Indians bounce back. The weekend showing against Colorado canceled out a dismal showing earlier in the week in Chicago, where the Tribe dropped three straight to the White Sox.
When the Indians returned to Cleveland after an 0-6 trip through San Francisco and Anaheim at the end of April, they went 5-2 on the ensuing homestand. After the Indians looked hapless in a weekend sweep at the hands of the Athletics, Terry Francona’s bunch reversed course and swept Central Division-leading Detroit.
They rebounded again this weekend with three consecutive victories against the high-powered Rockies.
“We know we have a good team,” Bourn said. “We know we can play baseball. We know we’re athletic. We just have to continue to work at what we need to do.”
Mike Aviles opened the bottom of the ninth with a single to center. George Kottaras advanced him to second with a sacrifice bunt. Bourn then swatted an 0-and-1 fastball into the stands and sprinted around the diamond.
“I was running,” Bourn said. “My emotions were going.
“I expect myself to be running that fast.”
Josh Tomlin limited Colorado to three runs (two earned) and four hits over 52⁄ innings. He
3 had eight strikeouts as Indians pitchers totaled 12, their third straight game with 11 or more.
It marked the Indians’ first stretch of 11 or more strikeouts in each game of a three-game series in franchise history.
“We had to pitch well,” Tomlin said. “That’s a good-hitting team. You had to locate your pitches and, if you didn’t, you paid for it. That showed in this series.”
Tomlin departed after his 100th pitch, but the bullpen couldn’t hold a one-run advantage. Colorado struck in the seventh off Bryan Shaw, who allowed two hits and a walk. Charlie Blackmon tied the score with a sacrifice fly.
“You look up and down their lineup,” Francona said, “and you see .300, .320, .340. They have stolen bases, power and they don’t really strike out a lot.”
Still, the Indians managed to keep the potent bats in check for much of the weekend. Scott Atchison (2-0) struck out the side in the ninth to set the table for Bourn’s heroics.
With the victory, the Indians boosted their American League-best home record to 18-11. They have won six straight games at Progressive Field.