Struggling Orioles shut down Indians

Jonathan Villar belted a three-run homer and Dylan Bundy tossed 5 2/3 solid innings as the visiting Baltimore Orioles recorded a 5-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Friday. Stevie Wilkerson homered to lead off the fourth inning and added an RBI double in the eighth for the Orioles, who posted just their second win in their last nine outings overall and fourth in their last 16 versus Cleveland.

Wilkerson also made a leaping catch in centre field to deny Carlos Gonzalez of extra bases in the eighth inning. Jake Bauers had an RBI single in the second inning for the Indians, who mustered just three hits -- all singles -- after setting season highs in both runs and hits (14) in Thursday's 14-7 victory in the opener of the four-game series.

Villar made amends for committing a pair of errors by depositing a 1-0 curveball from Jefry Rodriguez (1-3) just over the wall in the right-centre field for a three-run homer in the third inning. Villar's homer, which gave Baltimore a 3-1 lead, was his fifth of the season and first since his grand slam in a 4-1 win over Boston on May 6. Wilkerson fouled off three straight pitches before sending Rodriguez's curveball over the wall in right field to lead off the fourth inning. Wilkerson's homer was his fourth of the season and second in his last five games.

Wilkerson provided insurance by slapping a double into the right-centre field gap in the eighth, giving the Orioles a 5-1 lead. Chris Davis fell down as he headed toward home, resulting in his hasty retreat to third and Wilkerson getting thrown out at second as he scurried back to the bag. Bundy (2-5) made the offence stand up after allowing one run on three hits while striking out seven on a season-high 118 pitches. The 26-year-old has won two of his last three starts, permitting four runs on 10 hits in 18 innings.

Two relievers bridged the gap to Mychal Givens, who struck out two in the ninth inning to preserve the win. Cleveland made Baltimore pay for Villar's first error to open the scoring in the second inning, as Jose Ramirez reached base and promptly stole second before coming home on Bauers' single to left-centre field.

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