Reds-Indians: Cincinnati Hitters Work Count, Beat Cleveland 4-3

All season long, the Cincinnati Reds have been notorious for not working the count against opposing pitchers, and what has it gotten them? An 18-23 record, good for last place in the National League Central. But tonight, they showed some patience at the plate and it earned them a win against the first-place Cleveland Indians.

The game began with bang for Cincy. In the bottom of the first inning, after a walk to Ken Griffey Jr., Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips hit a two-run homer to the upper deck in left center field, putting the Reds up 2-0. In the third inning, slumping left-fielder Adam Dunn hit a home run to push their lead to 3-0.

Young Johnny Cueto, who had been very ineffective and inconsistent after a sizzling start, started hot, tossing a no-hitter through five innings.  However, things got interesting in the top of the sixth.

Cueto gave up a leadoff home run to Indians third baseman Casey Blake. The next batter was pinch hitter Travis Hafner, who followed with a homer to right field. Cueto then retired Grady Sizemore before facing Jhonny Peralta, who proceeded to hit a home run, tying the game at three.

In the seventh, Jared Burton relieved Cueto, but got into a two-out, bases-loaded jam due to a fielding error by first baseman Joey Votto. Left-hander Jeremy Affeldt replaced Burton and induced a groundout from David Dellucci.

The Reds threatened in the bottom of the seventh with runners on first and second, but Jerry Hairston Jr. struck out swinging.

Reds reliever David Weathers gave up a ground rule double in the eighth before striking out Asdrubal Cabrera to end the inning, and the Reds finally got a chance in the bottom of the eighth.

After Ken Griffey Jr. grounded out to shortstop, Brandon Phillips walked. Joey Votto followed with a double to left, advancing Phillips to third. Edwin Encarnacion worked a walk to load the bases.  With the count full to Adam Dunn, Cincinniati native Jensen Lewis walked Dunn, bringing Phillips in from third to give the Reds a 4-3 lead. Lewis got out of the inning, but the damage had been done.

The Reds brought in closer Francisco Cordero, who had blown his first save of the year on Wednesday night, and he quickly disposed of the Indians by striking out the side and getting his eighth save of the year. Reds reliever David Weathers got the win, improving his record to 1-2 and Indians reliever Jensen Lewis took the loss, dropping him to 0-2 on the year.

Tomorrow will be quite the pitchers duel as the Reds send ace right-hander Aaron Harang (2-5) against the right-hander Fausto Carmona (4-1).  Game time is 3:55 EST at the Great American Ball Park.