CLEVELAND – Before the game, Asdrubal Cabrera tossed tennis balls to his 3-year-old son, Meyer, who belted them around the field while wearing dad’s No. 13.

Dad did the same thing to the Cincinnati Reds.

Cabrera went 5 for 5 with two homers and a career-high five RBI as Cleveland completed a three-game sweep of Cincinnati, beating the reeling Reds 12-4 on Sunday to – at least for the moment – grab bragging rights as Ohio’s best team.

Former University High School star Josh Judy pitched a scoreless ninth in his Major League debut for the Indians.

Cabrera hit a two-run homer in the first inning off Edinson Volquez (3-2) for the Indians, who did early damage after winning the series’ first two games with late-inning comebacks. Cabrera added a solo homer in the sixth to give Cleveland an 8-4 lead.

“He was a one-man show at the plate,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “He was unbelievable. He was on every pitch, and he has played like an All-Star for us since Day One.”

Michael Brantley, Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo – the top three hitters in Cleveland’s lineup – went a combined 10 for 12 with six runs and nine RBIs as the Indians, now seen more as a contender than early season surprise, moved 14 games over .500 for time since 2007.

With its first sweep of the Reds in seven years, Cleveland improved baseball’s best record to 29-15 – 18-4 at Progressive Field, tying the best home start in franchise history.

“They are tough at home,” Reds Manager Dusty Baker said. “They are playing good baseball.

“Whatever they needed, they got this series.”

Carlos Carrasco (3-2) gave up four runs in six-plus innings, handing the Reds their fifth straight loss. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce hit solo homers off the right-hander, who was lucky that several line drives were hit directly at Cleveland fielders.

“We hit four, five, six balls well that on other days would have been doubles,” Cincinnati outfielder Chris Heisey said. “That’s baseball. You get days where you nub three or four and they go for hits. But Cleveland made some good plays.”

After horsing around on the field with Meyer, who insisted that his dad pitch to him outside and not in the indoor cages, Cabrera’s day against the Reds didn’t start well. The steady shortstop made a throwing error on Drew Stubbs’ grounder leading off, but he more than made up for it with his first five-hit, multihomer game. Cabrera also had an error in the sixth, but it didn’t cause any harm.

CLEVELAND – Before the game, Asdrubal Cabrera tossed tennis balls to his 3-year-old son, Meyer, who belted them around the field while wearing dad’s No. 13.

Dad did the same thing to the Cincinnati Reds.

Cabrera went 5 for 5 with two homers and a career-high five RBI as Cleveland completed a three-game sweep of Cincinnati, beating the reeling Reds 12-4 on Sunday to – at least for the moment – grab bragging rights as Ohio’s best team.

Former University High School star Josh Judy pitched a scoreless ninth in his Major League debut for the Indians.

Cabrera hit a two-run homer in the first inning off Edinson Volquez (3-2) for the Indians, who did early damage after winning the series’ first two games with late-inning comebacks. Cabrera added a solo homer in the sixth to give Cleveland an 8-4 lead.

“He was a one-man show at the plate,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “He was unbelievable. He was on every pitch, and he has played like an All-Star for us since Day One.”

Michael Brantley, Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo – the top three hitters in Cleveland’s lineup – went a combined 10 for 12 with six runs and nine RBIs as the Indians, now seen more as a contender than early season surprise, moved 14 games over .500 for time since 2007.

With its first sweep of the Reds in seven years, Cleveland improved baseball’s best record to 29-15 – 18-4 at Progressive Field, tying the best home start in franchise history.

“They are tough at home,” Reds Manager Dusty Baker said. “They are playing good baseball.

“Whatever they needed, they got this series.”

Carlos Carrasco (3-2) gave up four runs in six-plus innings, handing the Reds their fifth straight loss. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce hit solo homers off the right-hander, who was lucky that several line drives were hit directly at Cleveland fielders.

“We hit four, five, six balls well that on other days would have been doubles,” Cincinnati outfielder Chris Heisey said. “That’s baseball. You get days where you nub three or four and they go for hits. But Cleveland made some good plays.”

After horsing around on the field with Meyer, who insisted that his dad pitch to him outside and not in the indoor cages, Cabrera’s day against the Reds didn’t start well. The steady shortstop made a throwing error on Drew Stubbs’ grounder leading off, but he more than made up for it with his first five-hit, multihomer game. Cabrera also had an error in the sixth, but it didn’t cause any harm.

The Indians missed Cabrera last season, when they lost 93 games. He was out two months after breaking his left forearm in a collision with former Indians third baseman Jhonny Peralta. Other than that, the 25-year-old Cabrera has been everything the Indians could have hoped for since they called him up in the 2007 playoff stretch.

Now healthy, there isn’t a shortstop in the AL playing better.

“We think he’s one of the best at his position,” Acta said. “We’re glad we have him.”

Cabrera’s name rarely, if ever, gets mentioned in discussions about the league’s top shortstops. It might be time he’s included in those conversations. He’s batting .302 and leads the team with nine homers and 32 RBIs. This month, he’s batting .360 with four homers and 15 RBIs in 18 games.

“I’m just trying to do good things for the team,” said Cabrera, who doesn’t worry about outside attention. “I’m just thinking about trying to win the game and do what I can do. And have fun.”

The weekend series began ominously for Cleveland. On Friday, the club placed DH Travis Hafner on the disabled list with a strained side muscle, a move that came a few days after Grady Sizemore went on the DL with a bruised right kneecap.

*  *  *

FORMER UNIVERSITY High School star Josh Judy pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Indians, surrendering two hits with one strikeout.

Judy led the Hawks to the 2004 State Tournament, but lost a game on the mercy rule in the semifinals to Fairmont Senior.

Since that game at Watt Powell Park, Judy earned second-team All-America honors at Indiana Institute of Technology (2006, ’07) and was drafted by the Indians in the 34th round of the 2007 Major League First-Year Player Draft.

Judy is the first Indiana Tech player to pitch in the Major Leagues. At the conclusion of the 2010 season, he was added to the Indians’ 40-player roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.

He was called up on Saturday from the Class AAA Columbus Clippers to replace Alex White, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right middle finger soreness.

 

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

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

The Cincinnati Reds agreed to terms with pitcher Bill Bray on a one-year contract Tuesday, avoiding arbitration with the reliever.

Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) – The Cincinnati Reds agreed to terms with pitcher Bill Bray on a one-year contract Tuesday, avoiding arbitration with the reliever.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 27-year-old reliever came back from Tommy John surgery which caused him to miss the entire 2009 campaign, and went 0-2 with a 4.13 earned-run average in 35 games for the NL Central champs.

In four major-league seasons with Washington and Cincinnati, Bray is 8-9 with a 3.91 ERA in 165 appearances.

© 2011 The Sports Network

The Cincinnati Reds have signed reliever Jared Burton to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) – The Cincinnati Reds have signed reliever Jared Burton to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

Burton spent most of 2010 in the minor leagues and made only four appearances in the major leagues, throwing 3 1/3 scoreless innings.

The 29-year-old was hampered by a hypothyroid condition and an oblique injury throughout last season.

The right-hander appeared in 53 games for Cincinnati in 2009, posting a 4.40 earned run average. In 59 1/3 innings, he struck out 45 and walked 23.

In 158 games out of the bullpen over four seasons with the Reds, Burton has a 10-3 record with 3.40 ERA.

© 2011 The Sports Network