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Reds, Indians begin Ohio battle in Cleveland

May 20, 2011 - 2:52 PM (Sports Network) - Last year it was the Cincinnati Reds who shocked the baseball world by claiming their first National League Central title since 1995. This year, it is the Reds' in-state rivals the Cleveland Indians who are the surprise team in the league.

Tonight the Ohio habitants kick off interleague play with a three-game set at Progressive Field.

The Indians lost their first two home games this season, but have since reeled off 15 wins in their last 17 games there, a big reason behind their major league-best overall mark of 26-15.

Cleveland, though, limps into tonight's opener after dropping two straight games to the Chicago White Sox, including an 8-2 shellacking on Thursday. Matt LaPorta had a solo home run for the short-handed Indians, who a have lost four of the last seven games.

Cleveland was without designated hitter Travis Hafner, out for a second straight game with soreness in his right ribs, and outfield Travis Buck, who was a late scratch with a left big toe injury. Alongside those injuries, the club was missing Orlando Cabrera because he was becoming a U.S. citizen in South Carolina, and center fielder Grady Sizemore is still on the 15-day DL.

"I'm not going to sit here and tell you that our lineup is better without Grady Sizemore and Cabrera," Acta said. "But also I'm not going to sit here and make excuses, because they did make good pitches. Injuries are a part of the game.

Hafner is expected to get an MRI on Friday and could be placed on the disabled list.

"We'll get it checked out tomorrow," Hafner said after Thursday's loss. "It's possibly an oblique, but I'm not sure yet. I think one f the big things was how I felt this morning. It wasn't worse, so that's kind of encouraging. We'll get it checked out tomorrow and kind of see where we're at."

Indians starter Fausto Carmona (3-4) was roughed up for eight runs in five innings. The right-hander gave up seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

"There are certain teams where he can get away with having not very good separation of his pitches," Indians manager Manny Acta said of Carmona. "But this is not one of those teams."

Getting the call tonight for the Tribe will be rookie Alex White, who hasn't officially started since May 7 when he picked up his first big league win. The former first round pick held the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to three runs in six innings in that one.

White also threw a perfect inning on Saturday, but that contest was called shortly thereafter by rain, erasing all his stats.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, comes into tonight's Battle of Ohio a half-game back of the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central following a two-game sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates that culminated with a 5-3 loss on Thursday.

Jay Bruce had two solo homers and Joey Votto had an RBI single for Cincinnati, which had won five in a row coming into the set.

"The Pirates have given us a tough time so far this year," Bruce said.

Johnny Cueto (2-1) surrendered three runs on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts in a five-inning start.

Heading to the hill for the Reds this evening will be left-hander Travis Wood, who is 3-3 with a 5.01 ERA. Wood won his second straight start on Sunday against St. Louis, as he held the Cards to a pair of runs and seven hits in six innings.

Wood, who has never faced the Indians, has surrendered just four runs in his last three starts, spanning 18 2/3 frames.

Cincinnati won four of six in this series last season and has won six of its last nine in Cleveland. In fact, the Indians haven't won a series from the Reds since 2005.