Cleveland Indians Win Fifth-Straight Behind Kluber, Beat Reds 2-1

Kluber impressive again as Tribe win fifth straight

The Cleveland Indians gave

just enough run support, and just in time as they scored on an RBI double from

in the eighth to send the Cincinnati Reds to their seventh straight defeat. The battle for Ohio is well in hand for the Tribe.

Before the game even got started between the in-state rivals, Reds (18-24) skipper Bryan Price managed to get himself ejected before the first pitch was even thrown. It’s customary for the coaches that bring the lineup cards out to shake hands with all four umpires. Price left one out, and then began to argue–a carryover from some  last night when the Reds felt they got the short end of some calls.

For the Indians (19-23), they continue to work their way back to .50o slowly but surely. The bats that had heated up over the past eight games were quiet but timely. Which was fine as Kluber (2-5, 3.49) continues his solid month of May and kept the Reds at bay. Through eight innings, the Tribe provided only a David Murphy RBI single, and it looked as if he may end up with a no-decision.

But in the bottom half of the inning, Kipnis was able to double to left, and Michael Bourne motored all the way from first to score to give the Tribe a 2-1 lead off of Reds reliever Tony Cingrani (0-1, 3.31). Cody Allen picked up his ninth save of the season by closing out the ninth.

What Stood Out:

Can Kluber stand out? He was lights out again, striking out seven to bring his three-game total to 37. Roberto Perez may be solidifying his place on the roster as Yan Gomes prepares to come back tomorrow. Perez nabbed three in the last two games, including speedster Billy Hamilton.

What’s Next:

The Indians will look to sweep the Reds in their interleague series as the Tribe send Trevor Bauer (3-1, 3.31) to the hill against Raisel Iglesia (1-0, 3.94), who will replace Johnny Cueto who was scratched with what the team calls “general stiffness”.