Arroyo Solid, Reds Take Gm 1

Final Score: Cincinnati 3, Cleveland 1

Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Adam Rosales’ RBI double in the eighth broke a tie, and the Cincinnati Reds used eight strong innings from Bronson Arroyo to take a 3-1 victory over their cross-state rival, the Cleveland Indians, at Great American Ball Park.

Arroyo (6-3) allowed only a homer to Grady Sizemore in the first inning, part of a five-hit total, while striking out two and walking two for the Reds, who had lost five of their previous six coming into the game. Alex Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and Francisco Cordero earned his 11th save of the season in as many chances.

The Indians were denied their first three-game winning streak of the season. Anthony Reyes battled control problems for three innings, leaving with inflammation in his right elbow, walking a career-high six while allowing one run on one hit. Aaron Laffey (3-1) was given the loss after giving up two runs in 1 1/3 innings and also left the game in the eighth with an apparent oblique injury.

With the game tied in the bottom of the eighth, Cincinnati forged ahead. Pinch hitter Jonny Gomes laced a double down the left field line that tipped off third baseman Jamey Carroll’s glove, and he was replaced on the bath path by Chris Dickerson.

Two batters later, Rosales doubled to left to score Dickerson and put the Reds in front, 2-1. Greg Aquino relieved Laffey after the latter apparently hurt his oblique throwing a pitch, and he allowed an RBI single to Gonzalez.

Cordero set the Indians down in order in the ninth to finish off the victory.

Sizemore put the Indians in front early, blasting a one-out homer to left.

Reyes had some control problems in the bottom of the first, and the Reds tied the game. Cincinnati loaded the bases with nobody out after two walks and a hit batsman. Brandon Phillips followed with a sacrifice fly, and Reyes walked his third batter of the frame to reload the bases. Rosales, though, fouled out to end the inning.

The Reds squandered a chance to go in front in the sixth. With a runner on first and one out, Gonzalez hit a ground-rule double over the right field wall to put two runners in scoring position. But Arroyo popped out to second, and Willy Taveras struck out looking to end the threat.

In the seventh, the Indians had runners on the corners with one out, but Ryan Garko grounded into an inning-ending double play to keep the game tied.

Game Notes

The Reds have taken seven of the last eight against the Indians, including five straight in Cincinnati…Sizemore raised his average to .220 with a 2-for-4 effort…Victor Martinez had only his seventh hitless game for the Indians this season in 43 contests, going 0-for-4 to lower his average to .391…Gomes’ double was his first at-bat of the season after having his contract selected from Triple-A Louisville…The Reds optioned pitcher Ramon Ramirez to Louisville, designated outfielder Darnell McDonald for assignment, and recalled pitcher Carlos Fisher from Louisville…Phillips now has 27 RBI in May…Cordero has converted 25 straight save opportunities.