Pro Sports

Lindor's homer in 12th sends Indians over Reds 8-7

Posted May 18, 2016 7:00 am

By JOE KAY

Cleveland Indians' Rajai Davis (20) celebrates with teammates after hitting a game-tying two-run home run off Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Tony Cingrani during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press

CINCINNATI (AP) - Rajai Davis hit a tying, two-run homer in the ninth inning, and Francisco Lindor led off the 12th with another homer, powering the Cleveland Indians to an 8-7 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night.

The Indians won the first two games of the interleague series 15-6 and 13-1 in Cleveland, then made the 250-mile trip south and pulled out another.

Lindor connected off Keyvius Sampson (0-1) for Cleveland's 10th win in 15 games. The Indians (20-17) moved a season-high three games over .500.

Cody Allen (1-3) pitched two hitless innings. Dan Otero gave up a single and a walk in the 12th but retired Brandon Phillips on a routine fly to right, earning his first save since 2014.

Jay Bruce hit two solo homers, and Eugenio Suarez had a three-run shot that allowed the Reds to take a 7-5 lead into the ninth. A beleaguered bullpen couldn't hold on. Tony Cingrani gave up the homer to Davis - his second homer of the game - to tie it.

The Reds' bullpen has given up 33 homers and blown nine of 13 save chances. The Reds have dropped six of seven overall.

Cleveland's Mike Clevinger made his major league debut and took a 4-1 lead into the sixth, but couldn't hold on. Joey Votto doubled home two runs and Suarez connected off Zach McAllister for a 6-4 lead.

Clevinger was Cleveland's top pitcher in the minors last season. The lanky right-hander with curly, shoulder-length hair kept the Reds off-balance until the sixth with his 95 mph fastball and slider. He went 5 1/3 innings, giving up five hits including Bruce's first homer.

Bruce's homer was his 127th at Great American Ball Park, surpassing Adam Dunn for the highest total. He added another homer in the eighth. The Reds have hit 35 homers at Great American this season and only eight on the road.

MOVES

The Indians sent OF Tyler Naquin to Triple-A Columbus to open a spot for Clevinger. The Reds called up Jumbo Diaz and Sampson from Triple-A Louisville to help their beleaguered bullpen. Each gave up a run.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: OF Michael Brantley will rest for five to seven days after getting an anti-inflammatory injection in his sore right shoulder. He's on the DL for the second time this season. Manager Terry Francona said there's no estimate for when he'll be back: "It's completely on how he feels."

Reds: RHP Anthony DeSclafani felt fine a day after throwing in the bullpen. The next step is to have him throw batting practice. DeSclafani has been on the DL since the start of the season with a strained oblique.

UP NEXT

Indians: RHP Josh Tomlin (5-0) tries to push his unbeaten streak to 10 games. Tomlin hasn't lost since Sept. 15. The Indians are 7-0 in his last nine starts, six this season.

Reds: Tim Adleman (1-1) makes his fourth career start. He's lasted only five innings in three of his starts and six innings in the other. Only twice this season has a Reds starter lasted seven innings.

___

Follow Joe Kay on Twitter: http://twitter.com/apjoekay

Cleveland Indians' Rajai Davis, left, celebrates with Francisco Lindor (12) after hitting a solo home run off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press

Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suarez (7) celebrates with Jay Bruce (32) and Joey Votto (19) after hitting a three-run home run off Cleveland Indians pitcher Zach McAllister during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Mike Clevinger throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press

Cleveland Indians center fielder Marlon Byrd misses a solo home run hit by Cincinnati Reds' Jay Bruce off starting pitcher Mike Clevinger in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press

Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suarez follows through on a three-run home run off Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Zach McAllister during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press

Cleveland Indians' Rajai Davis (20) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan, center left, during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) tags out Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor (12) as Lindor tried to stretch a single into a double during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Baseball Content Providers MLB Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.