Carrasco, Tribe bats lead way against Jays

Starter, two relievers toss four-hit gem, Gomes hits key homer in Jays shutout

TORONTO >> Carlos Carrasco didn’t shake off more than two or three pitch calls from catcher Yan Gomes on Tuesday night.

The way Carrasco was pitching, why would he?

Carrasco and two relievers combined on a four-hitter, Gomes hit a three-run homer and the Indians beat the Blue Jays, 6-0.

“I thought Carrasco was tremendous,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “He’s obviously pitching with a lot of confidence, and he should.”

Carrasco (4-2) pitched seven innings to remain unbeaten on the road. The right-hander is 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA in four road starts this season.

“Every pitch Gomes called, I could throw for a strike,” he said.

Making his 150th appearance, Carrasco allowed three hits, all singles. He walked none and struck out seven, one shy of his season high.

“We’ve all known he’s had the talent and he’s putting it together,” Gomes said.

Carrasco improved to 3-1 in seven games against Toronto.

“He’s always been tough on us,” Manager John Gibbons said.

“He lives at the knees, so he’s going to get a lot of ground balls and things like

that, and he can strike you out, too.”

Andrew Miller worked the eighth and Nick Goody finished up. Lonnie Chisenhall reached base three times for the Indians, who scored more than three runs

for the first time since a 12-4 win over Seattle on April 30.

“We’ve had a road trip where we really, as a club, haven’t been swinging it,” Francona said. “We’re surviving this trip.”

Blue Jays designated hitter

Kendrys Morales was pulled in the seventh inning because of tightness in his left hamstring. He grounded out twice before leaving, and aggravated the muscle while running to first in his second at-bat.

Gibbons said Morales will have an MRI on Wednesday.

“I’m not so concerned so far,” Morales said.

Injury-ravaged Toronto is already without several regulars, including third baseman Josh Donaldson (left

calf), shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (right hamstring) and catcher Russell Martin (left shoulder).

Chisenhall hit an RBI double in the second, walked in the fourth and doubled in the sixth.

FRANK GUNN — CANADIAN PRESS Yan Gomes, right, is congratulated by Abraham Almonte after hitting a three-run home run against the Blue Jays during the eighth inning

FRANK GUNN — CANADIAN PRESS Francisco Lindor dives but can’t make the play on a single by the Blue Jays’ Ezequiel Carrera during the first inning May 9 in Toronto.