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Bourn has 3 RBIs to lead Indians to 5-2 win over Pirates

Jul 4, 2015 - 6:05 AM PITTSBURGH (AP) Michael Bourn believes Cleveland's five-game winning streak is proof the Indians are going to be in contention down the stretch despite a slow start.

Bourn drove in three runs, Brandon Moss homered and Trevor Bauer pitched effectively into the seventh inning as the Indians beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 on a rainy Friday night in a game that stretched past midnight.

''We're going to play meaningful games in September, we're not going to be counting down the days (until the end of the season),'' the veteran center fielder said. ''I don't care how much money you make, how long you've been playing, it's not fun when the games don't count in September.''

Cleveland's latest win follows a four-game sweep at Tampa Bay, but the Indians are still three games under .500 at 38-41 and in fourth place in the AL Central, eight games in the AL Central.

''We've got to just take it one day at a time and that's what we've been doing during this streak,'' Bourn said. ''Just come back tomorrow and keep the train moving.''

Bourn's two-run single in the eighth inning extended the Indians' lead to 5-2 after Cleveland loaded the bases on a walk to David Murphy and singles by Yan Gomes and Giovanny Urshela.

Moss opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the second and Bourn had an RBI double in the fourth inning to put Cleveland ahead 3-0.

Bourn is hitting just .234 and was dropped from the leadoff spot earlier in the season.

''It's good to see him get a couple of big hits,'' Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. ''It's been a struggle at times but he keeps battling.''

Andrew McCutchen's two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth, his 10th, drew the Pirates within a run. They got no closer in a game that was delayed by rain for 2:08 in the bottom of the seventh inning and ended at 12:26 a.m.

''We don't get caught up in all that external stuff,'' Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said when asked if the delay affected his team. ''We've got a game to play. If it rains, you come off the field and wait until it's time to go back on.''

Bourn and Gomes each had two hits as the Indians ended Pittsburgh's three-game winning streak.

Bauer (7-5) allowed two runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings after going 1-3 with a 7.40 ERA in his previous four starts. He improved to 5-2 in eight road starts this season while striking out three and walking one.

Cody Allen pitched a perfect ninth to complete the three-hitter and get his 16th save.

Charlie Morton (6-2) gave up three runs and four hits in six innings, with three walks and three strikeouts.

The Pirates were coming off a three-game sweep at Detroit in which they had 49 hits, including 17 for extra bases.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates: RHP Jameson Taillon, the Pirates' first-round draft pick in 2010, will undergo hernia surgery next week and will miss two months. He was injured last month during an extended spring training start while rehabbing from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery that caused him to miss last season. He finished last season at Triple-A Indianapolis.

BOURN RETURNS

Bourn returned from serving a one-game suspension Thursday and went 2 for 3 with a walk. The center fielder was penalized by the commissioner's office for making contact with an umpire May 16 during a game against Texas.

VOLSTAD TO INDY

RHP Chris Volstad accepted an outright assignment to Indianapolis by the Pirates as he cleared waivers after being designated for assignment. He made one relief appearance, pitching two scoreless innings.

UP NEXT

Indians: RHP Cody Anderson (1-0, 0.57 ERA) will make his third major league start, and first since getting his first career win Monday against the Rays, when he took a perfect game into the seventh inning.

Pirates: LHP Jeff Locke (4-4, 4.55) is 5-1 with a 2.84 ERA in eight career interleague starts.