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Cleveland Indians beat Colorado Rockies behind Yan Gomes' three-run HR in ninth

By Jim Ingraham, The Sports Xchange
Cleveland Indians Yan Gomes high fives Francisco Lindor after hitting a walk off three run home run in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on August 8, 2017. The Indians defeated the Rockies 4-1. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
1 of 5 | Cleveland Indians Yan Gomes high fives Francisco Lindor after hitting a walk off three run home run in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on August 8, 2017. The Indians defeated the Rockies 4-1. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo

CLEVELAND -- For nine innings, Corey Kluber looked unbeatable.

The Colorado Rockies got to within one out of beating him, but the Rockies never got the out.

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Yan Gomes' three-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning off Greg Holland capped a four-run rally and lifted the Cleveland Indians to a 4-1 win over Colorado on Tuesday night at Progressive Field.

"They all suck anytime you lose, especially when it's your fault," said Holland (2-3).

Kluber, pitched his second consecutive three-hit complete game. He retired 26 of the last 27 batters he faced. Kluber (10-3) struck out 11 and did not walk a batter. He struck out the side in order in the ninth inning.

The game began and ended with a home run.

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Charlie Blackmon led off the game by hitting a home run over the center field wall to give the Rockies a 1-0 lead that they still had with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

"That's some kind of lineup. There's no let up," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Corey gives up a home run, a single -- and then nothing. I wish we could have scored some runs for him earlier so he could be happy. He spent 2 1/2 hours being grumpy."

Kluber said he tried to put Blackmon's homer behind him.

"I threw one right in his wheehouse," Kluber said. "Second pitch of the game and I've put the team in a hole. But I tried to brush it off and go back to work. We still had 27 outs, and we used them all."

With one out, and Colorado leading 1-0 in the bottom of the ninth, Edwin Encarnacion drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch, and was replaced by pinch runner Brandon Guyer.

Carlos Santana struck out for the second out.

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Bradley Zimmer drew a walk, putting runners at first and second with two outs. Austin Jackson then singled to center on a 3-2 pitch, scoring Guyer with the tying run and moving Zimmer to third.

"We had some really good at bats in that inning," Francona said. "Jackson had never had a hit off Holland, but he kept fighting. He fouled off one pitch by as little as you can."

Gomes then hit Holland's 31st and final pitch of the night into the bleachers in left-center field for his second career walk-off home run.

"When Austin got the tying run in, it almost takes the pressure off you," Gomes said. "Corey deserves that kind of finish. I just wish we could have done it in a little less-stressful way."

Rockies starter German Marquez pitched six scoreless innings, allowing two hits. Marquez struck out three and walked three.

After Blackmon's home run, Kluber gave up a single to DJ LeMahieu, then was virtually untouchable. The only other Colorado base runner came on a sixth-inning single by Raimel Tapia.

"That's a throwback game for sure," Rockies manager Bud Black said. "He (Kluber) is one of the best pitchers in the game. Charlie jumped him in the first at bat. From that point on, we didn't get much going."

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The Indians lost All-Star left fielder Michael Brantley in the fifth inning to a sprained right ankle. Brantley was removed from the game in the top of the inning. On a fly ball hit by Mark Reynolds that was caught by center fielder Zimmer, Brantley took a couple steps toward center, then stopped and sat down on the outfield grass. After being examined by the team trainer, Brantley walked slowly off the field.

"He thought it might be his Achilles. That's why he didn't want to get up. He wasn't sure what it was," said Francona, who added that Brantley would get an MRI and the Indians would know more Wednesday.

NOTES: Cleveland LHP Andrew Miller (right knee patella tendinitis) is eligible to come off the disabled list on Sunday. Manager Terry Francona said Miller won't be activated that day, but "It shouldn't be too much more that." ... Indians RHP Mike Clevinger will go back into the rotation Saturday vs. Tampa Bay. Because of off days, the Indians were able to go with a four-man rotation with nobody pitching on short rest. Clevinger was temporarily moved to the bullpen, where he made one relief appearance. ... Rockies manager Bud Black said INF/OF Ian Desmond, who has been on the disabled list since July 28 due to a right calf strain, will go out on a minor league rehab before being activated. ... Colorado RHP Antonio Senzatela (10-4, 4.78) will start Wednesday vs. Cleveland. It will be Senzatela's first start since July 24. His last two appearances came out of the bullpen.

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