Major League Baseball

Rockies-Indians Preview

Published May. 31, 2014 9:30 p.m. ET

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The Colorado Rockies are probably more than happy to see the end of another road trip.

They're likely almost as pleased to get out of Cleveland - given their history there - and will attempt to close out their nine-game trek by avoiding a sweep to the Indians on Sunday.

Colorado (28-27) dropped to 2-6 on this trip and 12-20 on the road overall with a 7-6 defeat Saturday. The Rockies' Charlie Blackmon hit a tying three-run homer in the seventh, but Mike Aviles registered a season-best fourth RBI by singling in the go-ahead run in the next inning.

The Rockies have a .203 average on this trek but remain among the major league leaders with a .285 mark. They've done much of their damage in the thin air of Denver with a .344 average at Coors Field - where they're 16-7 - compared with a .240 mark away from there.

Colorado is also hitting .192 while dropping nine of its last 11 on the road, and is 3-8 all-time in Cleveland. Troy Tulowitzki, owner of one of MLB's best averages at .352, is 0 for 12 in his last four games and mired in a 2-for-19 slump.

"It hasn't been easy, but all the guys all through the lineup fought well, especially the top and bottom of the order," manager Walt Weiss said. "Things just aren't going our way right now."

The Rockies were swept once in their three previous visits to Cleveland, from June 14-16, 2005, and will seek to avoid a sixth consecutive interleague loss Sunday. All five of the previous defeats took place, not surprisingly, on the road.

Colorado is also seeking to avoid its first four-game overall losing streak since Sept. 6-9.

Cleveland (26-30), meanwhile, will seek to extend a season-high, five-game win streak at Progressive Field. The Indians will also try for their 16th win in the past 19 home games versus NL teams.

Josh Tomlin (3-2, 3.04 ERA) is 2-1 with a 2.87 ERA in three home appearances this season but is coming off a 6-2 defeat at the Chicago White Sox on Monday. He gave up at three-run homer after Lonnie Chisenhall's two-out error and was charged with five runs - two earned - in his five innings in a 6-2 defeat.

"That's on me. I need to do a better job of picking up Lonnie there," he told the team's website.

Tomlin matched a career high with eight strikeouts in Monday's loss.

He won his only start against Colorado on June 22, 2011. His counterpart in Sunday's game, Jhoulys Chacin (0-4, 5.20) did not get a decision in his only matchup with Cleveland on June 21, 2011.

The Rockies right-hander suffered his fifth consecutive loss dating back to last season and his third in as many starts in his most recent outing Monday. He gave up four runs over five innings in a 9-0 defeat to Philadelphia.

Justin Morneau, batting .306 this season but .200 in his last seven games, is 5 for 13 with two homers lifetime against Tomlin. Michael Cuddyer is 3 for 6.

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