Final
Indians-Reds Preview
Jul 18, 2015 - 5:18 AM The home team in recent Ohio Cup matchups has usually come out on top, and with this weekend's series at the Great American Ball Park, it's looking like the Cincinnati Reds' turn for victories.The Reds will seek to continue that trend while sending the Cleveland Indians' Corey Kluber to another defeat Saturday night.
Cincinnati's 6-1 victory in Friday's opener was its ninth in a row at home against Cleveland and 17th in the past 21 matchups there. The Reds (40-47) are 14-16 overall against their instate rivals since the start of the 2010 season because they've lost 13 of 14 in Cleveland, including a three-game sweep May 22-24.
Marlon Byrd went 4 for 4 with a solo homer in Friday's win, and pitcher Mike Leake drove in three runs. Cincinnati had lost 10 of 15 and three in a row at home before hosting Tuesday's All-Star Game.
"I was swinging pretty well before the break. I am just trying to keep it going," said Byrd, batting .351 with four homers in his last 18 games.
With Kluber on the mound, Cleveland (42-47) will seek to avoid a season high-tying fourth consecutive loss and a season-worst fourth in a row on the road. The Indians have won two of the last three games that last year's AL Cy Young Award winner has pitched after losing five straight, but struggled to support Kluber again in a 2-0 loss to Oakland on Sunday.
Kluber (4-10, 3.38 ERA) gave up two runs in eight innings while surpassing his loss total from 2014. The right-hander, who went 18-9 last season, is 1-4 in his last seven starts despite a 2.96 ERA.
Kluber is among MLB's leaders with 154 strikeouts and 133 1-3 innings, but his 2.30 run-support average is the worst among qualifying starters and 2.99 less than his previous two seasons combined. He was staked to 4.39 per game in 2014.
"I feel good when I'm out there on the mound," Kluber said. "Obviously, I haven't done a good enough job to put us in a position to win more games, but hopefully I can turn it around after the break."
Kluber hasn't needed too much assistance against Cincinnati, going 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in two starts. He yielded one run in eight innings in a 2-1 victory May 23.
Anthony DeSclafani was the Reds' starter in that game, giving up one run in seven innings in his only start against Cleveland, and faces Kluber again. The right-hander, winless in his last five starts, missed his last turn in the rotation Saturday because of tightness in his glute.
DeSclafani gave up two runs in 5 2-3 innings - his fewest allowed in four games - in Washington on July 6, but the Reds didn't score the go-ahead run in a 3-2 victory until the eighth inning.
Jay Bruce, batting .348 in his last 24 games, is 4 for 7 lifetime against Kluber. That .571 average is tied for the best among players with at least seven plate appearances versus the Indians right-hander.
Cleveland last dropped four in a row from April 25-28.
- CLEVELAND: 9
CINCINNATI: 4
Final
Jul 18 10:15 PM - Bruce homered to center on a full count, Phillips scored, Votto scored.
Guardians 9, Reds 4 Bot 8, 2 OutsJul 18 9:53 PM - Jay Bruce homers to center field. Joey Votto scores. Brandon Phillips scores.
Guardians 9, Reds 4 Bot 8, 2 OutsJul 18 9:53 PM - Y.Gomes homered to left on a 2-0 count, Kipnis scored, C.Santana scored.
Guardians 9, Reds 1 Top 7, 2 OutsJul 18 9:12 PM - Yan Gomes homers to center field. Carlos Santana scores. Jason Kipnis scores.
Guardians 9, Reds 1 Top 7, 2 OutsJul 18 9:12 PM - Moss homered to right on a 0-2 count, C.Santana scored.
Guardians 6, Reds 1 Top 3, 2 OutsJul 18 7:54 PM - Brandon Moss homers to right field. Carlos Santana scores.
Guardians 6, Reds 1 Top 3, 2 OutsJul 18 7:54 PM - Carlos Santana doubles to deep center field. Francisco Lindor scores.
Guardians 4, Reds 1 Top 3, 1 OutJul 18 7:51 PM - Bruce hit a sacrifice fly to right fielder Moss, Phillips scored.
Guardians 3, Reds 1 Bot 1, 2 OutsJul 18 7:29 PM - Jay Bruce out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Brandon Moss. Joey Votto out at third. Brandon Phillips scores.
Guardians 3, Reds 1 Bot 1, 1 OutJul 18 7:29 PM - Brantley homered to right on a 0-1 count, Kipnis scored, Lindor scored.
Guardians 3, Reds 0 Top 1, 0 OutsJul 18 7:14 PM - Michael Brantley homers to center field. Francisco Lindor scores. Jason Kipnis scores.
Guardians 3, Reds 0 Top 1, 0 OutsJul 18 7:14 PM - Jason Kipnis singles to shallow center field.
Jul 18 7:11 PM - CLEVELAND: 0
CINCINNATI: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jul 18 7:11 PM
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