Columbus (3-1-5) is winless, with just one loss, in five straight since a 3-0 win over the New York Red Bulls on March 16.
Felipe Mora poked a slow-roller inside the far post to open the scoring in the 10th minute. The 30-year-old has a goal in each of the last four games.
Diego Rossi played a one-touch pass to Cucho, whose first-timer from the center of the area made it 1-1 in the 51st but Santiago Moreno ran onto a one-touch pass played by Evander and scored from right in front of the goal to put the Timbers back in front in the 57th minute.
Columbus had 61% possession and outshot the Timbers 25-7.
Portland's James Pantemis had four saves. The 27-year-old, who signed with the Timbers in January after six seasons with Montreal, made his third start of the season in place of Maxime Crepeau, who was suspended after being shown a red card last week against Los Angeles FC, his former team.
The Timbers (2-3-4) are winless, with three losses, in their last six games.
Patrick Schulte had two saves for Columbus.
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