Bergesen allows singles to Luis Valbuena and Asdrubal Cabrera, but little else in a dominating performance.
Indians' catcher Chris Gimenez tags out Baltimore's Luke Scott in the fifth inning Wednesday night at Progressive Field. Scott was trying to score on a double by Adam Jones, but the relay of left fielder Jordan Brown's throw by shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was in time to stop Scott. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians are crashing and burning again, their hot start to the second half a distant memory.
The Tribe lost its fourth in a row Wednesday night, succumbing to a pitcher who entered with a 3-9 record and 6.26 ERA.
Right-hander Brad Bergesen did not merely beat the Indians, he dominated them. Bergesen threw a two-hitter for a 3-1 victory -- his first since May 12.
Bergesen walked two and struck out four. He gave up an RBI single to Luis Valbuena in the fifth inning and a two-out single to Asdrubal Cabrera in the ninth.
Give Bergesen his due, but Tribe batters swung most of the night as if they had 101 other things on their minds.
The good news for Indians players and coaching staff was that few people witnessed it. Paid attendance: 11,155.
The Tribe (47-67) won its first six after the All-Star break. It is 7-13 since, including a 14-8 loss to Baltimore in the series opener Tuesday.
The Orioles (40-74) are 8-1 under manager Buck Showalter. They amassed 13 hits for the second straight game.
Baltimore scored an unearned run in the first.
Brad Bergesen has struggled all season with the Orioles after a successful 2009 season, but he was dominant Wednesday against the Tribe.Brian Roberts led off with a single against righty Josh Tomlin and was forced at second by Nick Markakis. Ty Wigginton singled. Both runners advanced on catcher Chris Gimenez's passed ball. With the infield back, Luke Scott delivered an RBI grounder to the right side.
With two outs in the fourth, Cesar Izturis singled to drive in Felix Pie for a 2-0 advantage.
Brian Roberts led off the fifth with a homer. It came on the 12th pitch of the at-bat.
In the bottom of the fifth, Valbuena pulled the Indians within 3-1 when he drove in Shelley Duncan from third with two outs. Duncan had led off with a walk. Valbuena's single shot through the hole at second.
Tomlin was replaced by Justin Germano to begin the sixth. Tomlin gave up 10 hits.