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Indians face Reds, look for ninth straight home win

May 19, 2007 - 2:11 PM Cincinnati (16-26) at Cleveland (25-14) 7:05 pm EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The Cleveland Indians aim to extend their home winning streak to nine games when they take on the Cincinnati Reds in the second contest of a three-game interleague series on Saturday.

On Friday, Grady Sizemore matched a season high with four hits, including a two-run homer, to lead the red-hot Indians to a 9-4 triumph over the Reds in the series opener.

It was the fourth straight victory for Cleveland, which has won its last eight games at Jacobs Field. The Indians have scored 64 runs during their current home streak and own a 15-3 overall record at home this season, the best mark in the majors.

A win on Saturday would secure the team's first nine-game home winning streak since May 27-June 19, 2005.

The Indians will look to continue their hot play behind Jeremy Sowers (0-3, 6.56 ERA), who is looking for his first win since September 5. He lost his only start against the Reds, allowing six runs and nine hits in five innings in a 4-2 win last June 25.

The 24-year-old Sowers has giving up six runs in each of his last two starts, including an 8-0 loss at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 10.

Cincinnati will counter with Matt Belisle (3-3, 4.38), who is looking to bounce back from his worst outing of the season. He gave up seven runs and 10 hits in five frames in a 7-1 loss to San Diego last Monday.

The Reds have lost six of their last seven games.