BALTIMORE – The bullpen gate kept swinging open, unleashing one outstanding pitcher after another.

Collectively, Cleveland’s relievers shut the door on Baltimore’s bid to mount one final comeback.

Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore homered, Lonnie Chisenhall singled in the tiebreaking run in the sixth inning, and the Indians defeated Baltimore 6-5 Friday night to extend the Orioles’ losing streak to nine games – matching Buck Showalter’s longest skid as a big league manager.

Michael Brantley had three hits for the Indians, who improved to 5-0 against Baltimore this season and solidified their grip on first place in the AL Central.

Cleveland blew leads of 1-0, 3-2 and 5-3 before going ahead for good in the sixth against Jim Johnson (5-3). Matt LaPorta ended up on second base with a double after Felix Pie failed to catch his sinking liner to left, and Chisenhall lined an RBI single to right.

Then the Indians’ bullpen took over, keeping the Orioles hitless the rest of the way.

Chad Durbin and Rafael Perez worked the sixth, Joe Smith took care of the seventh, Vinnie Pestano handled the eighth and All-Star closer Chris Perez finished for his 22nd save in 23 chances.

“You can’t say enough about the bullpen,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “They deserve the whole credit. They shut them down for four innings.”

Smith hasn’t given up an earned run in 27 straight appearances and owns a microscopic 0.80 ERA.

“I don’t know if we’re always this good, but the bullpen’s been one of our strengths,” the right-hander said.

BLUE JAYS 7, YANKEES 1: Brandon Morrow won his fourth straight decision, Yunel Escobar had three hits and host Toronto roughed up New York for its fifth straight win.

Morrow (6-4) has not lost since June 11 against Boston, and is 4-0 with a 2.68 ERA in his past six starts.

RAYS 9, RED SOX 6: All-Star David Price pitched six solid innings and Ben Zobrist hit his fifth career grand slam, helping Tampa Bay tighten the AL East standings with a home victory that snapped first-place Boston’s six-game winning streak.

Price (9-7) allowed five hits – three of them solo homers – while striking out seven and walking one in his first outing since giving up Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit at Yankee Stadium last week.

ROYALS 2, TWINS 1: Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning off Matt Capps to lift Kansas City over host Minnesota, the seventh blown save this season for the Twins’ closer to match the major league lead.

Capps (2-5) was booed mildly after Melky Cabrera’s leadoff four-pitch walk and loudly after Hosmer’s drive to straightaway center field. Capps couldn’t hold the lead in a save situation for the seventh time in 22 tries.