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Santana, Tomlin help Indians down Pirates

Jun 18, 2011 - 3:31 AM Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Carlos Santana finished 3-for-4 with a solo shot to back Josh Tomlin's 6 2/3 solid innings in the Cleveland Indians' 5-1 win over interleague region rival Pittsburgh.

Tomlin (8-4) allowed just one run on six hits and no walks for the Indians, who recorded just their fourth win in 15 contests.

"Great job by Tomlin, 20 out of 25 first-pitch strikes," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "That's how he's able to get people out and go deep into the game with a very nice pitch count."

Cleveland designated hitter Travis Hafner proved to be a spark in his return to the lineup from an oblique strain that put him on the DL since May 18. He had an RBI double and a walk in the win.

Xavier Paul knocked in the lone run for the Pirates, who came into the game with a season-high tying four-game winning streak. They were also fresh off their first three-game sweep of the season in Houston.

Pittsburgh starter Kevin Correia (8-6) took the loss, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on four hits and three walks.

"He threw a few more pitches than he would have like to have to have his pitch count up in the 90s without finishing six," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "He gave us a chance to win a ball game, which he has done time after time, more often than not."

The Pirates have been on fire as of late and came into the matchup two games over .500. Meanwhile, the Indians had a hot start to the season and despite recent struggles were six games over .500 to mark the first time ever the two teams have faced each other with a winning record.

But an odd sequence of events occurred in the third to break the scoring. Ronny Cedeno booted a Matt LaPorta line shot right into the hands of second baseman Neil Walker, who threw the ball wildly into the visitor's dugout for a two-base error. Orlando Cabrera then hit a grounder where LaPorta was caught in a rundown and rolled awkwardly over his right leg while shifting directions. He left the game in obvious pain and did not return.

The inning continued when Jack Hannahan singled to put runners on the corners and Grady Sizemore drew a walk to load the bases. Correia got Michael Brantley to line out to third and it looked as if he was going to get out of inning unharmed. However, the pitcher flinched out of his set to balk in a run. Correia induced an Asdrubal Cabrera flyout to end the inning.

Santana's two-out homer in the fourth put the Indians at a 2-0 advantage but the Pirates would cut it in half in the sixth on Paul's RBI single.

The Indians poured it on in the eighth to create breathing room. Brantley and Asdrubal Cabrera started with consecutive singles before Hafner skied a double to the right fence where it bounced off the yellow line and into the field of play to bring home Brantley. The double was confirmed by review.

Tim Wood then came in to replace Daniel Moskos and intentionally walked Shin- Soo Choo to load the bases with no outs. Santana ripped an RBI single, and after an Adam Everett strike out, Orlando Cabrera brought in a run on a sac fly to make up the final score.

Game Notes

To open a roster spot for Hafner, the club optioned outfielder Travis Buck to its Triple-A affiliate in Columbus before the game...Correia fell to 7-2 on the road this season...The Indians improved to 4-0 in interleague play this season, while the Pirates fell to 2-2. The Pirates have taken two of three from the Indians in each of the past two seasons, with both series taking place in Pittsburgh. The Bucs haven't visited Cleveland since losing two of three in 2006.