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Indians, Reds wrap up Battle for Ohio

Jul 3, 2011 - 2:40 PM (Sports Network) - The Cleveland Indians shoot for their first four-game win streak since the third week of May as they close out their interleague set against the Cincinnati Reds today at Great American Ball Park.

With the Detroit Tigers having lost two in a row, the Indians now find themselves 1 1/2 games ahead in the race for the top spot in the American League Central following their 3-1 win versus the Reds on Saturday afternoon.

Michael Brantley delivered a three-run homer in the third inning to account for all the offense the Tribe would need in their victory. However, in that third inning Cleveland also lost starting pitcher Fausto Carmona with a strained right quadriceps when he fell awkwardly running out a ground ball. Carmona's efforts on the base paths did pay dividends however as it kept the inning alive and eventually placed Brantley at the plate for his big hit.

Frank Herrmann replaced Carmona on the mound and allowed one hit over three innings to pick up his first major league win. Vinnie Pestano struck out Scott Rolen to end a threat in the ninth inning, picking up his second career save in the process.

"It feels really good to be able to contribute," Herrmann said. "It's fun being on a good team, but it's even more fun when you can contribute and help out."

Reds starter Homer Bailey was charged with eight hits and two earned runs as he suffered the defeat. He fanned seven batters over seven innings, but lost his third consecutive decision.

"We just had that one inning where it kind of fell apart on us," Bailey said of the third frame when it appeared a routine double-play play resulted in both players being safe when Paul Janish appeared to pull his foot off second base prematurely.

Joey Votto, the defending NL MVP, accounted for the only run for the Reds with his 12th home run of the season in the eighth inning. Votto finished with two hits, as did Rolen, but Cincy batters struck out 11 times and were just 1- for-13 with men in scoring position as they stranded a total of 12 base runners. Rolen, who is batting .256 this season, is one hit shy of 2,000 for his career.

Heading to the hill for the Indians in the series finale this afternoon is Mitch Talbot. The right-hander, who is in search of just his third win of 2011, saw limited time with the big club in April and May but managed to work his way into five starts last month.

On Monday the third-year man lasted just five innings against Arizona, giving up three runs on three hits and a pair of walks and even though the Tribe captured the win Talbot did not factor into the decision.

Talbot, who has had some issues with his control so far this season, has a record of 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his career versus the Reds.

As for Cincinnati, its plan is to hand the ball to right-hander Mike Leake for his first-ever appearances against Cleveland. Leake, now in just his second year in the majors, posted his most recent win on Monday, a 5-0 decision over the Tampa Bay Rays.

In that matchup the California native allowed only four hits and a pair of walks, while striking out three through six innings of action to snap a personal two-game slide.

Despite being the top scoring team in the NL Central, the Reds are currently just 42-42 and are fourth in the standings, three games off the pace set by Milwaukee and St. Louis. Additionally, Cincinnati is now a mere 5-12 in interleague play this season, compared to the Tribe which has taken 11 of 17 outings.