MLS: Columbus 4, Colorado 1

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 26 (UPI) -- Andres Mendoza notched a pair of goals Sunday and the Columbus Crew bested the short-handed Colorado Rapids 4-1.

After spotting the Rapids a 1-0 lead on a Conor Casey goal in the sixth minute, the Crew reeled off four straight scores.

Eddie Gaven and Mendoza scored 6 minutes apart, with Gaven finding the net at the 12-minute mark thanks to a Colorado turnover in midfield, and Mendoza followed with a goal off another Rapids miscue just outside the area.

Conor was given a red card in the 31st minute and Columbus (6-4-6) capitalized on the man-advantage with second-half markers from Mendoza and Tom Heinemann.

The Crew used the win to move into a tie with Red Bull New York for second place in the Eastern Conference.

Colorado (5-5-7), meanwhile, lost its second straight.