Jays give up 2 HRs in 9th, Indians win on inside-the-parker

CLEVELAND (AP) - Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was calm and confident heading into the bottom of the ninth inning.

His mood - and the game - changed dramatically just minutes later.

Closer Roberto Osuna allowed back-to-back home runs, including a game-ending inside-the-parker by Tyler Naquin, as the Cleveland Indians stunned Toronto 3-2 on Friday night.

"We were sitting pretty good. I felt good sending (Osuna) out there. We went from feeling pretty good to feeling rotten pretty quick. That was a tough one," Gibbons said.

The Blue Jays' lead in the AL East was sliced to one-half game over Boston, while the Indians increased their advantage in the AL Central to seven games over Detroit.

Osuna (2-2) retired Carlos Santana to start the ninth before Jose Ramirez hit a tying homer. It was his third blown save in 30 opportunities this season.

Naquin was down 1-2 in the count when he sent a drive high off the wall, just out of the reach of right fielder Michael Saunders. Center fielder Melvin Upton Jr. raced to pick up the ball, but fell before flinging it toward the infield.

Second baseman Devon Travis retrieved it as Naquin was racing around third, but his throw was well late to the plate.

"It's really tough for the whole team, it really hurts," Osuna said. "I tried to go with my best pitches, but I left the ball right in the middle of the plate and those guys hit me pretty good."

Third baseman and AL MVP Josh Donaldson (jammed right thumb) and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (calf strain) sat out the game, but Gibbons said both are expected to be available Saturday.

Russell Martin hit a two-run homer in the first, but Toronto only got one runner into scoring position the rest of the way. Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer struck out a career-high 13 in eight innings, while Jeff Manship (2-1) worked the ninth.

Blue Jays left-hander Francisco Liriano allowed one unearned run in six innings while striking out seven. Travis' second error of the evening and a passed ball by Martin allowed Cleveland to score once in the sixth.

Liriano, who leads the majors with 75 walks, issued two and gave up four hits.

"I made some good pitches, and locating the ball worked for me today," said Liriano, who is 0-1 with a 3.57 ERA in three starts since being acquired from Pittsburgh. "It was definitely the best I've felt since I came here."

The crowd of 30,665 included thousands of boisterous Blue Jays fans and Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James. The four-time MVP and reigning NBA champion watched the game from a suite.

READY AND WILLING

Blue Jays RHP Marco Estrada will make his next start Wednesday, but volunteered to pitch in relief in Cleveland since he is scheduled to go seven days between outings. "You could see him on Saturday or Sunday coming out of the bullpen," Gibbons said. "It was his idea, but I told him it would only happen if we need him."

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: RHP Aaron Sanchez will start for the first time since Aug. 13 against Houston as the team attempts to limit his innings.

Indians: RHP Josh Tomlin returns from the family medical emergency list. He had flown home to Tyler, Texas, on Wednesday.