Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds: Tribe Prevails in Tight Game

5 - 23 - 10     Cincinnati 3 at Cleveland 4     Cleveland (16 - 26), Cincinnati (25 - 19)

     In order to keep their slim chances of winning the Ohio Cup alive, the Indians had to defeat the Reds on a sun - drenched day in Cleveland.  Timely hitting and solid pitching got the job done for the Tribe as they snapped a six - game losing streak.
     Early on, it looked as if it was going to be another long day for the Indians because Scott Rolen smoked a two - run homer over the wall in left field in the top of the first inning.  The Tribe, however, rallied right back in their half of the frame.  Trevor Crowe's walk and Shin - Soo Choo's single got things started, and following a wild pitch, Travis Hafner drove home Crowe with an infield hit.  Cleveland nearly stranded Choo at third base until Shelley Duncan laced a two - out RBI single to center that tied the game.
     Shortly after Choo led off the third with a triple, Reds' starter Homer Bailey had to leave with pain in his shoulder and Russell Branyan greeted reliever Michah Owings with a sacrifice fly to center.  The Tribe then loaded the bases on walks, but Owings got out of the jam when Jason Donald fouled out.
     Rolen's second homer of the day, a solo shot in the sixth, tied the game back up, and momentarily made the Tribe pay for leaving the Redlegs in the ballgame.
     In the last of the sixth, Cleveland regained the lead thanks to some more two - out hitting.  Crowe and Choo both hit one - out singles, and after Hafner struck out, Jhonny Peralta lined a run - scoring single into left field.
     The Indians' starter, David Huff, left the game following the sixth with a rising pitch count, so it was up to the bullpen to preserve the win for the Tribe and for Huff.  And what a job the pen did with Chris Perez, Tony Sipp, and Kerry Wood combining to throw three scoreless frames. 
     The Reds' best threat developed in the seventh with two men out.  Orlando Cabrera was hit by a pitch and Brandon Phillips walked, meaning that if Joey Votto could come through with a base hit, the game would be tied.  Sipp, though, got Votto to fly out, and Cincy had allowed a golden opportunity to go by the boards.
     In the ninth, the struggling Wood was summoned and he proceeded to work around a one - out single to pick up his first save of the season.
     Huff's victory was his first since April 15th and it snapped his five - start losing slide.