Read More: Shin-Soo Choo (RF – CLE), Michael Brantley (CF – CLE), Joey Votto (1B – CIN), Jay Bruce (RF – CIN), Edinson Volquez (P – CIN), Travis Buck (LF – CLE), Jack Hannahan (3B – CLE), Carlos Carrasco (P – CLE), Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds

Asdrubal Cabrera went 5-for-5 with two homers and five RBI, Michael Brantley added three hits and two ribbies, and Shin-Soo Choo drove in a pair as the Indians finished off a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the 2011 Battle of Ohio with a 12-4 win at Progressive Field that saw the Tribe improve to 29-15 and maintain a seven-game lead in the American League Central.

Carlos Carrasco (3-2, 5.16 ERA) hung around long enough to get the victory, going six innings and surrendering all four runs — including home runs from Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. Carrasco struck out three and walked only one while allowing six hits in winning his second straight.

Chad Durbin came on with a man at second and nobody out in the seventh and worked around an error to shut the door and keep the lead at 8-4, before Cleveland put it away with a four-run seventh.

Rafael Perez worked a scoreless eighth, and Josh Judy made his major league debut in the ninth, giving up a single and a double but keeping the Reds off the board.

After Votto gave Cincinnati the lead with his blast to the bleachers in the first, Asdrubal connected off of losing pitcher Edinson Volquez (3-2, 6.35 ERA) with Brantley aboard to put the Tribe ahead.

Choo then doubled, and after Carlos Santana was retired for the first out, but moved Choo to third, Travis Buck walked, and then things got interesting.

Buck broke for second with Orlando Cabrera batting, then put on the brakes as Choo bluffed for home, drawing a throw to the plate. As Choo headed back to third, Reds’ catcher Ramon Hernandez uncorked a throw into left field that hugged the line all the way to the wall, allowing both Choo and Buck to score and giving the Indians a 4-1 lead.

Choo drove in Brantley with a single in the second to make it 5-1, though it could have been more, as the Indians failed to further add to their lead with runners at first and third and none out.

But the Tribe came through in the third when Brantley hit a sacrifice fly to score Austin Kearns, who had reached on a hit by pitch. Then Asdrubal Cabrera singled to score Jack Hannahan, who had walked, and Cleveland was up 7-1 and Volquez’s day was done.

Volquez allowed seven runs — six earned — in only 2.2 innings, with seven hits, four walks, and the hit-batsman.

The Reds got a run back in the fourth on Bruce’s homer, then added two in the sixth to get to within 7-4. In that sixth, Joey Votto doubled in his second run of the game, and a Brandon Phillips ground out cut the Indians’ lead to three.

Asdrubal Cabrera hit his second homer in the bottom of the sixth off of Sam LeCure to make the lead 8-4, and then in the bottom of the seventh, with one out, Kearns tripled off of new reliever Jordan Smith and scored on Hannahan’s double to make it 9-4. Lou Marson walked and Brantley doubled, scoring Hannahan and moving Marson to third. Asdrubal drove in his fifth run of the afternoon with a single, and the final run of the inning — and the game — scored when Choo hit a sac fly.

The Indians now welcome the Boston Red Sox to town for a three-game set beginning Monday night at 7:05, as the Tribe looks to move to 19-4 at home.

Published 11:53pm Saturday, May 21, 2011

The Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Travis Wood flirted with no-hit history for the Cincinnati Reds — then suddenly could not get a much-needed out.

Wood held Cleveland hitless into the sixth inning, then got only one more out as the Indians mounted a four-run rally to tie the score at 4, then beat the Reds 5-4 on a pinch-hit bunt RBI single in the eighth by raw rookie Ezequiel Carrera on Friday night.

“This was a tough one to lose, especially with the way Wood was working,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “It was a perfect bunt, well executed.”

Carrera bunted home Shin-Soo Choo from third base with two outs to give the Indians the win in the Ohio Showdown’s series opener.

Called up from Triple-A Columbus earlier in the day when Travis Hafner went on the disabled list, Carrera dropped the first pitch from Nick Masset down the first-base line, scoring Choo, who had tripled off Bill Bray (1-1). The speedy Carrera was able to avoid a tag by first baseman Joey Votto for an unforgettable hit in his first at-bat in the majors.

“It’s awesome,” said closer Chris Perez. “That was special. He’ll never forget it, and I’ll never forget his first big-league hit. To be able to put that bunt in and miss the tag, wow.”

Vinnie Pestano (1-0) got two outs in the eighth for his first career win. Perez worked the ninth for his 11th save in 12 tries.

After Choo’s two-out triple off the wall in left-center, Baker ordered Bray to intentionally walk Cleveland cleanup hitter Carlos Santana. When right-hander Masset came on, Indians manager Manny Acta sent up Carrera to hit for Shelley Duncan.

“Santana, even when he’s not hitting, is one of their most dangerous hitters,” Baker said. “I thought they might hit (lefty Travis) Buck, but even with a kid up from Triple-A, I still felt comfortable.

“I figured he might try to bunt. He did and it was perfect.”

Wood was nearly perfect for 5 1-3 innings, yielding only a leadoff walk to Santana in the second. Santana was erased when former Reds infielder Orlando Cabrera bounced into an inning-ending double play.

Former Reds outfielder Austin Kearns broke up the no-hitter with a line single and things quickly unraveled for Wood even though Baker went out to talk to the 24-year-old right-hander.

“I’ve seen guys lose no-hitters and then lose the game, that’s why I went out there,” Baker said. “He got two strikes on a couple hitters, then left breaking balls up and they were hit. We got two strikes on Choo before he hit it off the wall, too.”

Jack Hannahan and Michael Brantley followed with singles to make it 4-1. Wood walked Asdrubal Cabrera to load the bases and then hit Choo with a pitch to force in Cleveland’s second run. Logan Ondrusek came on and walked Carlos Santana on a 3-2 pitch, making it 4-3.

Shelley Duncan followed with a sacrifice fly to tie it, capping another improbable rally by the Indians, who have been doing it all season.

“To not get out of that inning was unbelieveable,” Wood said. “That can’t happen. I had to find a way out of it and bear down.

“I’m not sure what happened. I was throwing strikes, then the next thing you know the bases were loaded. Then I walked a guy, hit a guy and it was a downward spiral.”

That has happened to a lot of opponents at Progressive Field of late. The Indians’ last six wins at home have come in their final at-bat. Cleveland overcame three errors to improve baseball’s best record to 27-15, including 16-4 at home.

Jay Bruce had two hits for the Reds, who lost their third straight.

Cleveland starter Alex White lasted only three innings before leaving with a sore right middle finger.

White walked the bases loaded in the third, after appearing to injure himself on a breaking pitch. As he completed his follow through, White reacted as if he had been stung by a bee, jumping and shaking his hand.

Acta and trainer Lonnie Soloff came out to check on the rookie, who stayed in after throwing a couple of warmups.

However, he seemed bothered by the finger and walked Paul Janish, Drew Stubbs — after an 11-pitch at-bat — and Jonny Gomes in order. White nearly got out of the jam, getting Votto to bounce to first baseman Matt LaPorta for a potential double play. But LaPorta’s throw to second was wild and went into left field, allowing Janish and Stubbs to score and make it 2-0.

The Reds went up 4-0 in the sixth, helped by Orlando Cabrera’s error at second base.

NOTES: Cincinnati hasn’t had a no-hitter since Tom Browning’s perfect game in 1988. … Reds 2B Brandon Phillips is hitting .395 (17 of 43) with nine RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak. … The Indians announced that Saturday’s game is sold out, the club’s first sellout other than for opening day since May 24, 2008. … The Reds began a season-long, 10-game road trip that includes stops in Philadelphia and Atlanta. … Hafner joined Grady Sizemore (bruised knee) on the DL. He is expected to miss at least three weeks with a strained muscle on his side.

CLEVELAND – Ezequiel Carrera said he was only “a little bit” nervous when he stepped to the
plate in his major league debut last night.

Yes, he was in a pressure-packed situation. The Cleveland Indians were tied with the Cincinnati
Reds with two outs in the eighth inning and a runner on third. But what manager Manny Acta asked
him to do was something he has done plenty in his seven-year minor league career. Tell him to bunt,
and Carrera is plenty confident.

Sure enough, Carrera bunted the first pitch he saw down the first-base line. He avoided the tag
of Cincinnati’s Joey Votto to reach safely, allowing Shin-Soo Choo to score the go-ahead run in
Cleveland’s 5-4 victory.

“It’s unbelievable,” Carrera said. “First at-bat in the major leagues, and to get a bunt and an
RBI and the win “

Carrera, 23, was called up from the Clippers yesterday after Travis Hafner went on the disabled
list because of an oblique muscle injury. He is expected to be a spare part with the Indians, but
Acta found the perfect spot to use him after Choo tripled off the left-center wall.

The Reds intentionally walked Carlos Santana and brought in right-hander Nick Masset with
Shelley Duncan up next. Acta didn’t like that matchup and figured Carrera might be able to beat out
a bunt with Votto forced to hold the runner on.

“It was the perfect spot for it,” Acta said. “To bunt a ball, it doesn’t take experience or
(familiarity) with a different stadium. He’s done that his whole life.”

Carrera’s bunt capped a remarkable comeback for the Indians, whose past six home victories have
come in their final at-bat.

Reds starter Travis Wood carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning with Cincinnati leading 4-0
thanks to some uncharacteristically porous Cleveland defense.

Austin Kearns lined a single to center with one out for the Indians’ first hit. Wood didn’t
retire another batter. Two more singles, a walk and a hit batter ended his night.

“I have no idea how I lost it,” Wood said.

Reliever Logan Ondrusek allowed the Indians to tie the score with a walk and sacrifice fly.

The Reds had taken their early lead thanks to wildness by Indians starter Alex White, but there
was a reason for that. He felt pain in the middle finger of his throwing hand in the third inning.
Afraid to throw a breaking ball, White walked three straight batters as the Reds repeatedly fought
off his fastball.

Even then, he could have escaped major damage. But first baseman Matt LaPorta threw a potential
double-play grounder by Votto into left field, allowing two runs to score.

White, who was making his third major league start, left the game after the inning and will have
an MRI today. He said he had “strong discomfort” in the finger.

The Reds added two more runs in the sixth, again added by a Cleveland error. Brandon Phillips
singled, moved to third on a hit by Jay Bruce and scored when second baseman Orlando Cabrera booted
Scott Rolen’s grounder. Bruce scored on a Chris Heisey single.

That comfortable cushion was short-lived, setting up Choo’s deep triple and Carrera’s impeccable
bunt.

“That was special,” Indians closer Chris Perez said. “I’m sure he’ll never forget it.”

brabinowitz@dispatch.com

CLEVELAND – Ezequiel Carrera said he was only “a little bit” nervous when he stepped to the
plate in his major league debut last night.

Yes, he was in a pressure-packed situation. The Cleveland Indians were tied with the Cincinnati
Reds with two outs in the eighth inning and a runner on third. But what manager Manny Acta asked
him to do was something he has done plenty in his seven-year minor league career. Tell him to bunt,
and Carrera is plenty confident.

Sure enough, Carrera bunted the first pitch he saw down the first-base line. He avoided the tag
of Cincinnati’s Joey Votto to reach safely, allowing Shin-Soo Choo to score the go-ahead run in
Cleveland’s 5-4 victory.

“It’s unbelievable,” Carrera said. “First at-bat in the major leagues, and to get a bunt and an
RBI and the win “

Carrera, 23, was called up from the Clippers yesterday after Travis Hafner went on the disabled
list because of an oblique muscle injury. He is expected to be a spare part with the Indians, but
Acta found the perfect spot to use him after Choo tripled off the left-center wall.

The Reds intentionally walked Carlos Santana and brought in right-hander Nick Masset with
Shelley Duncan up next. Acta didn’t like that matchup and figured Carrera might be able to beat out
a bunt with Votto forced to hold the runner on.

“It was the perfect spot for it,” Acta said. “To bunt a ball, it doesn’t take experience or
(familiarity) with a different stadium. He’s done that his whole life.”

Carrera’s bunt capped a remarkable comeback for the Indians, whose past six home victories have
come in their final at-bat.

Reds starter Travis Wood carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning with Cincinnati leading 4-0
thanks to some uncharacteristically porous Cleveland defense.

Austin Kearns lined a single to center with one out for the Indians’ first hit. Wood didn’t
retire another batter. Two more singles, a walk and a hit batter ended his night.

“I have no idea how I lost it,” Wood said.

Reliever Logan Ondrusek allowed the Indians to tie the score with a walk and sacrifice fly.

The Reds had taken their early lead thanks to wildness by Indians starter Alex White, but there
was a reason for that. He felt pain in the middle finger of his throwing hand in the third inning.
Afraid to throw a breaking ball, White walked three straight batters as the Reds repeatedly fought
off his fastball.

Even then, he could have escaped major damage. But first baseman Matt LaPorta threw a potential
double-play grounder by Votto into left field, allowing two runs to score.

White, who was making his third major league start, left the game after the inning and will have
an MRI today. He said he had “strong discomfort” in the finger.

The Reds added two more runs in the sixth, again added by a Cleveland error. Brandon Phillips
singled, moved to third on a hit by Jay Bruce and scored when second baseman Orlando Cabrera booted
Scott Rolen’s grounder. Bruce scored on a Chris Heisey single.

That comfortable cushion was short-lived, setting up Choo’s deep triple and Carrera’s impeccable
bunt.

“That was special,” Indians closer Chris Perez said. “I’m sure he’ll never forget it.”

brabinowitz@dispatch.com

Travis Wood flirted with no-hit history for the Cincinnati Reds — then suddenly could not get a much-needed out.
Wood held Cleveland hitless into the sixth inning, then got only one more out as the Indians mounted a four-run rally to tie the score at 4, then beat the Reds 5-4 on a pinch-hit bunt RBI single in the eighth by raw rookie Ezequiel Carrera on Friday night.
“This was a tough one to lose, especially with the way Wood was working,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “It was a perfect bunt, well executed.”
Carrera bunted home Shin-Soo Choo from third base with two outs to give the Indians the win in the Ohio Showdown’s series opener.
Called up from Triple-A Columbus earlier in the day when Travis Hafner went on the disabled list, Carrera dropped the first pitch from Nick Masset down the first-base line, scoring Choo, who had tripled off Bill Bray (1-1). The speedy Carrera was able to avoid a tag by first baseman Joey Votto for an unforgettable hit in his first at-bat in the majors.
“It’s awesome,” said closer Chris Perez. “That was special. He’ll never forget it, and I’ll never forget his first big-league hit. To be able to put that bunt in and miss the tag, wow.”
Vinnie Pestano (1-0) got two outs in the eighth for his first career win. Perez worked the ninth for his 11th save in 12 tries.
After Choo’s two-out triple off the wall in left-center, Baker ordered Bray to intentionally walk Cleveland cleanup hitter Carlos Santana. When right-hander Masset came on, Indians manager Manny Acta sent up Carrera to hit for Shelley Duncan.
“Santana, even when he’s not hitting, is one of their most dangerous hitters,” Baker said. “I thought they might hit (lefty Travis) Buck, but even with a kid up from Triple-A, I still felt comfortable.
“I figured he might try to bunt. He did and it was perfect.”
Wood was nearly perfect for 5 1-3 innings, yielding only a leadoff walk to Santana in the second. Santana was erased when former Reds infielder Orlando Cabrera bounced into an inning-ending double play.
Former Reds outfielder Austin Kearns broke up the no-hitter with a line single and things quickly unraveled for Wood even though Baker went out to talk to the 24-year-old right-hander.
“I’ve seen guys lose no-hitters and then lose the game, that’s why I went out there,” Baker said. “He got two strikes on a couple hitters, then left breaking balls up and they were hit. We got two strikes on Choo before he hit it off the wall, too.”
Jack Hannahan and Michael Brantley followed with singles to make it 4-1. Wood walked Asdrubal Cabrera to load the bases and then hit Choo with a pitch to force in Cleveland’s second run. Logan Ondrusek came on and walked Carlos Santana on a 3-2 pitch, making it 4-3.
Shelley Duncan followed with a sacrifice fly to tie it, capping another improbable rally by the Indians, who have been doing it all season.
“To not get out of that inning was unbelieveable,” Wood said. “That can’t happen. I had to find a way out of it and bear down.
“I’m not sure what happened. I was throwing strikes, then the next thing you know the bases were loaded. Then I walked a guy, hit a guy and it was a downward spiral.”
That has happened to a lot of opponents at Progressive Field of late. The Indians’ last six wins at home have come in their final at-bat. Cleveland overcame three errors to improve baseball’s best record to 27-15, including 16-4 at home.
Jay Bruce had two hits for the Reds, who lost their third straight.
Cleveland starter Alex White lasted only three innings before leaving with a sore right middle finger.
White walked the bases loaded in the third, after appearing to injure himself on a breaking pitch. As he completed his follow through, White reacted as if he had been stung by a bee, jumping and shaking his hand.
Acta and trainer Lonnie Soloff came out to check on the rookie, who stayed in after throwing a couple of warmups.
However, he seemed bothered by the finger and walked Paul Janish, Drew Stubbs — after an 11-pitch at-bat — and Jonny Gomes in order. White nearly got out of the jam, getting Votto to bounce to first baseman Matt LaPorta for a potential double play. But LaPorta’s throw to second was wild and went into left field, allowing Janish and Stubbs to score and make it 2-0.
The Reds went up 4-0 in the sixth, helped by Orlando Cabrera’s error at second base.
NOTES: Cincinnati hasn’t had a no-hitter since Tom Browning’s perfect game in 1988. … Reds 2B Brandon Phillips is hitting .395 (17 of 43) with nine RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak. … The Indians announced that Saturday’s game is sold out, the club’s first sellout other than for opening day since May 24, 2008. … The Reds began a season-long, 10-game road trip that includes stops in Philadelphia and Atlanta. … Hafner joined Grady Sizemore (bruised knee) on the DL. He is expected to miss at least three weeks with a strained muscle on his side.

Travis Wood flirted with no-hit history for the Cincinnati Reds — then suddenly could not get a much-needed out.
Wood held Cleveland hitless into the sixth inning, then got only one more out as the Indians mounted a four-run rally to tie the score at 4, then beat the Reds 5-4 on a pinch-hit bunt RBI single in the eighth by raw rookie Ezequiel Carrera on Friday night.
“This was a tough one to lose, especially with the way Wood was working,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “It was a perfect bunt, well executed.”
Carrera bunted home Shin-Soo Choo from third base with two outs to give the Indians the win in the Ohio Showdown’s series opener.
Called up from Triple-A Columbus earlier in the day when Travis Hafner went on the disabled list, Carrera dropped the first pitch from Nick Masset down the first-base line, scoring Choo, who had tripled off Bill Bray (1-1). The speedy Carrera was able to avoid a tag by first baseman Joey Votto for an unforgettable hit in his first at-bat in the majors.
“It’s awesome,” said closer Chris Perez. “That was special. He’ll never forget it, and I’ll never forget his first big-league hit. To be able to put that bunt in and miss the tag, wow.”
Vinnie Pestano (1-0) got two outs in the eighth for his first career win. Perez worked the ninth for his 11th save in 12 tries.
After Choo’s two-out triple off the wall in left-center, Baker ordered Bray to intentionally walk Cleveland cleanup hitter Carlos Santana. When right-hander Masset came on, Indians manager Manny Acta sent up Carrera to hit for Shelley Duncan.
“Santana, even when he’s not hitting, is one of their most dangerous hitters,” Baker said. “I thought they might hit (lefty Travis) Buck, but even with a kid up from Triple-A, I still felt comfortable.
“I figured he might try to bunt. He did and it was perfect.”
Wood was nearly perfect for 5 1-3 innings, yielding only a leadoff walk to Santana in the second. Santana was erased when former Reds infielder Orlando Cabrera bounced into an inning-ending double play.
Former Reds outfielder Austin Kearns broke up the no-hitter with a line single and things quickly unraveled for Wood even though Baker went out to talk to the 24-year-old right-hander.
“I’ve seen guys lose no-hitters and then lose the game, that’s why I went out there,” Baker said. “He got two strikes on a couple hitters, then left breaking balls up and they were hit. We got two strikes on Choo before he hit it off the wall, too.”
Jack Hannahan and Michael Brantley followed with singles to make it 4-1. Wood walked Asdrubal Cabrera to load the bases and then hit Choo with a pitch to force in Cleveland’s second run. Logan Ondrusek came on and walked Carlos Santana on a 3-2 pitch, making it 4-3.
Shelley Duncan followed with a sacrifice fly to tie it, capping another improbable rally by the Indians, who have been doing it all season.
“To not get out of that inning was unbelieveable,” Wood said. “That can’t happen. I had to find a way out of it and bear down.
“I’m not sure what happened. I was throwing strikes, then the next thing you know the bases were loaded. Then I walked a guy, hit a guy and it was a downward spiral.”
That has happened to a lot of opponents at Progressive Field of late. The Indians’ last six wins at home have come in their final at-bat. Cleveland overcame three errors to improve baseball’s best record to 27-15, including 16-4 at home.
Jay Bruce had two hits for the Reds, who lost their third straight.
Cleveland starter Alex White lasted only three innings before leaving with a sore right middle finger.
White walked the bases loaded in the third, after appearing to injure himself on a breaking pitch. As he completed his follow through, White reacted as if he had been stung by a bee, jumping and shaking his hand.
Acta and trainer Lonnie Soloff came out to check on the rookie, who stayed in after throwing a couple of warmups.
However, he seemed bothered by the finger and walked Paul Janish, Drew Stubbs — after an 11-pitch at-bat — and Jonny Gomes in order. White nearly got out of the jam, getting Votto to bounce to first baseman Matt LaPorta for a potential double play. But LaPorta’s throw to second was wild and went into left field, allowing Janish and Stubbs to score and make it 2-0.
The Reds went up 4-0 in the sixth, helped by Orlando Cabrera’s error at second base.
NOTES: Cincinnati hasn’t had a no-hitter since Tom Browning’s perfect game in 1988. … Reds 2B Brandon Phillips is hitting .395 (17 of 43) with nine RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak. … The Indians announced that Saturday’s game is sold out, the club’s first sellout other than for opening day since May 24, 2008. … The Reds began a season-long, 10-game road trip that includes stops in Philadelphia and Atlanta. … Hafner joined Grady Sizemore (bruised knee) on the DL. He is expected to miss at least three weeks with a strained muscle on his side.